Jennifer Lopez didn’t hesitate for long when asked to name the worst film she has ever seen — but she clearly knew it was a risky question.
During an appearance on her Office Romance co-star Brett Goldstein’s podcast Films To Be Buried With, the 56-year-old actress appeared uncomfortable at first, seemingly reluctant to criticize a fellow artist or invite the backlash that might follow.
Still, Lopez eventually gave an answer, and it was an unexpected one: 2021’s Nomadland, the Oscar-winning drama directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Frances McDormand.
The film, which follows a woman trying to rebuild her life after financial ruin in the wake of the 2008 recession, was one of the most celebrated releases of its year. It went on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, while McDormand took home Best Actress and Zhao won Best Director.
Lopez made clear that her criticism came down to personal taste rather than the film’s quality. She said the movie’s quiet, grief-centered storytelling simply was not for her, explaining that she gravitates toward romantic comedies, thrillers and musicals — genres she sees as more entertaining and escapist.
Lopez explained away her choice. She said that a ‘slow-moving thing about grief’ was just not her cup of tea as she prefers romantic comedies, thrillers and musicals that entertain – in other words, escapism.
Jennifer Lopez named the worst movie she has ever seen when talking to Brett Goldstein this week on his show Films To Be Buried With
Her pick: the 2021 drama Nomadland starring acclaimed actress Frances McDormand
The film was not a hit with audiences as it brought in under $4 million at the US box office.
Her choice may also be a jab at the Academy as they have never nominated her for an Oscar, even though she delivered an impressive performance in her con-artist stripper movie Hustlers from 2019.
The Oscars has a history of awarding films that mass audiences don’t seem to like: the most recent examples are 2005’s Crash and 2018’s Green Book.
Lopez, however, focuses on starring in more entertainment-driven movies such as The Wedding Planner and Maid In Manhattan, and more recently, The Mother and Atlas, all massive hits.
Director Chloe Zhao won an Oscar for it
When Goldstein asked her flat out, ‘What’s the worst film you’ve ever seen?’ – which he asks every guest on his show Films To Be Buried With – she stepped up to the plate.
‘It’s hard to say “worst” because it’s a beautiful film,’ Lopez said carefully. Then she made it clear it really was her ‘worst type of film.’
She also shared: ‘I just didn’t enjoy it. It’s just not for me.’ She added, ‘It’s just a taste thing. And I know we need movies about grief! I understand.’
Goldstein responded, ‘You just don’t wanna watch them.’
‘I just don’t wanna watch them,’ Lopez confirmed. ‘The same way I don’t wanna watch horror films.’
The 56-year-old actress squirmed a bit as she seemed to not want to insult anyone, or face the backlash that would likely come with it
Goldstein asks every guests what the worst film is that they have ever seen
Lopez explained away her choice. She said that a ‘slow-moving thing about grief’ was just not her cup of tea as she prefers romantic comedies, thrillers and musicals
‘It’s hard to say “worst” because it’s a beautiful film,’ Lopez said carefully. Then she made it clear it really was her ‘worst type of film’
‘You can tell from my taste in movies what I think about this,’ said Lopez as she named 1961’s West Side Story and 1983’s Flashdance as some of her favorite films.
‘It’s not why I go to the movies,’ she remarked. ‘I like musicals. I like romantic comedies. I like thrillers, you know? And it’s a slow-moving thing about grief and there’s no escapism to it. And I do like some movies like that… but that one I just didn’t.’
The Bronx native did have some nice things to say about McDormand, however, calling her performance ‘amazing.’
‘She deserves all the Oscars,’ added Lopez.
Episodes of Films To Be Buried With air weekly on Wednesdays.
