Paul Dano’s Emmy-Nominated Performance In Escape At Dannemora

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Okay, so Quentin Tarantino recently made some comments about Paul Dano, and honestly, I think he needs to revisit Dano’s work in Escape at Dannemora. I was really impressed with Dano in that series, and it’s a performance that would definitely make me rethink any negative opinions. This all came out during Tarantino’s appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, where he was sharing his favorite movies from the 2000s and beyond – a real treat for his fans, especially around the holidays!

Quentin Tarantino discussed several films, including Dunkirk, Toy Story 3, and Shaun of the Dead. He placed There Will Be Blood at number five on his list, but surprisingly criticized actor Paul Dano, calling him “weak sauce.” This isn’t the first time Tarantino has commented on Dano (sharing his thoughts on YouTube), but some suggest he might want to watch Dano’s performance in Escape at Dannemora before offering further opinions.

Paul Dano Co-Stars In The Limited Series, Escape At Dannemora

While Paul Dano is famous for his movie roles, such as Paul and Eli Sunday in There Will Be Blood and Dwayne in Little Miss Sunshine, his performance in the 2018 Showtime limited series Escape at Dannemora, where he plays David Sweat, is just as impressive and deserves recognition alongside his best film work.

Inspired by the 2015 prison break at Clinton Correctional Facility in New York, Escape at Dannemora tells the story of two convicted murderers, Sweat and Richard Matt, and their daring escape. The series also explores the relationship between the inmates and a prison guard, and the extensive manhunt that followed.

The series has received high praise, with an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and Paul Dano was nominated for an Emmy for his performance. He powerfully conveys both the physical and emotional challenges of escaping and then hiding, delivering a captivating and subtly unsettling performance as Sweat. His portrayal feels genuine and understated, drawing viewers into the character’s desperate situation.

Dano Has Several Other Excellent Television Roles

While known for his film work, Benicio del Toro has also appeared in several notable television roles, including his part in Escape at Dannemora. Interestingly, one of his first significant roles was actually on TV – he played Patrick Whalen, a friend of A.J. on The Sopranos. Despite a busy film schedule, he’s managed to take on a surprising number of TV parts.

I was so impressed with Paul Dano’s work in everything he’s been in! Before Escape at Dannemora, I really enjoyed seeing him as Pierre Bezukhov in the War & Peace miniseries. And it’s a shame more people didn’t see Pantheon on Amazon – his voice work as Caspian Keyes was fantastic. Even a smaller part like Harris Materbach in Mr. and Mrs. Smith showed his talent – he just always brings something special to every role.

Paul Dano recently made a cameo as himself in The Studio, showing off a playful side that isn’t often seen in his roles. It’s a mystery why Quentin Tarantino doesn’t seem to be a fan of Dano’s acting, but if Tarantino were to reconsider, Escape at Dannemora would be a great place to start.

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2025-12-04 18:58