Ahead of the release of her upcoming film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder seemingly lamented over the younger generation of co-stars. During an interview with the L.A Times, Ryder accused today’s youth of turning their backs on the rich legacy of cinema. Out of sheer frustration, the actress appeared to take an indirect aim at young actors without referring to anyone personally.
However, Winona Ryder’s scathing remarks sparked drama, after fans speculated which young celebrity she was criticizing in her comments. Connecting the dots, netizens claimed that Ryder’s comments were a pointed jab at Millie Bobby Brown, whose notorious disdain for movies has already made headlines.
Winona Ryder’s Frustration with Young Stars Lacking Film Curiosity
Speaking with the L.A Times to discuss her upcoming movie Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder recalled harboring a special bond with her co-star Jenna Ortega over their deep interest in films. Ryder claimed to be immediately impressed with Ortega after the actress referred to specific shots from the 1964 classic I Am Cuba, by Soviet director Mikhail Kalatozov.
Proceeding with the conversation, Winona Ryder named her Stranger Things co-star Finn Wolfhard as another of her favorite actors, due to his obsession with Elliott Gould. Claiming to appreciate interactions with the up-and-coming generation of film lovers, Ryder then expressed her frustration with her more junior colleagues who simply lack curiosity about classic movies and the evolution of cinema.
I don’t mean to sound so hopeless. There are a few that are just not interested in movies. Like, the first thing they say is, ‘How long is it?’
Extending her remorse to another interview with Esquire, Winona Ryder reflected on how social media is to be blamed for the young star’s lack of interest in the history of cinema. Admitting that her comments might make her sound old, Ryder didn’t hesitate before expressing her desire for the younger batch of actors to study the history of film and photography.
I just think that social media has changed everything, and I know I sound old. I’m very aware of that. And part of me thinks, ‘Gosh, am I like vaudeville at this point?’ Like [elderly lady voice], ‘Hey, kids, turn down the music!’ But I just think there was such an abundance: the history of film, the history of photography, it’s so rich, and there’s so much there, and I don’t mean we should go backwards, but I wish and I hope that the younger generation will study that.
Meanwhile, although Winona Ryder did not call out any of the disappointing younger actors by name, her Stranger Things co-star Millie Bobby Brown came onto fans’ radar, following the interviews. Apparently, Ryder’s lament struck a chord with fans, prompting speculation that the actress’ remarks were aimed at none other than Brown, who previously made headlines for her aversion to movies.
Fans Speculate Winona Ryder’s Remarks as Direct Attack on Millie Bobby Brown
Right after Winona Ryder’s statements hit social media, fans took great interest in decoding which co-star or fellow actor the veteran was referring to. This led a bunch of sneaky netizens to dig out Millie Bobby Brown’s candid admission to The Sun about her disinterest in watching films, which seemingly connected the dots.
People come up to me and say, ‘You should definitely watch this movie, it would change your life’. I’m like, ‘How long do I have to sit there for?’ Because my brain and I don’t even like sitting for my own movies.
While Winona Ryder’s critique underscored a broader debate about the shifting landscape of entertainment consumption, fans’ interest in figuring out the celebrity behind her frustration turned the actress’ interview into a controversy. Although the interview highlighted the difference between traditional film enthusiasts and the younger generation’s preferences for shorter, more immediate content, it gradually became a topic of gossip among netizens.
