In a recent episode of his Fox News show, Greg Gutfeld didn't hold back when discussing Natalie Portman's pointed remarks on the film industry's woes. Portman, the Oscar-winning actress known for roles in everything from Black Swan to May December, recently lamented the rise of social media influencers overshadowing traditional movie stars. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year, she noted how kids today barely recognize classic film icons compared to YouTube sensations—a shift she sees as eroding cinema's cultural weight.
Gutfeld, ever the sharp-tongued conservative commentator, seized on this during his April broadcast, weaving Portman's words into a broader takedown of Hollywood's liberal leanings. "Nobody wants a ticket to the Democrats' movie," he quipped, drawing parallels between the actress's observations and what he calls the entertainment elite's out-of-touch agenda. Indeed, Gutfeld argued that Portman's admission highlights a deeper rot, where blockbuster budgets balloon—think the $200 million-plus spent on recent flops—yet fail to connect with audiences weary of preachy narratives. However, he stopped short of a full endorsement, slyly suggesting Portman's own career, built on indie darlings and franchise cash cows, might benefit from that very system she's critiquing.
The exchange underscores ongoing tensions in Tinseltown. Portman, now 44 and fresh off her 2024 divorce from choreographer Benjamin Millepied amid infidelity rumors, has been vocal about work-life balance too. She told Vanity Fair that method acting feels like a "luxury women can't afford," prioritizing family over immersive roles. Gutfeld, hosting his ratings-topping late-night slot that outpaces Fallon and Kimmel in 2025 viewership numbers, used this to jab at what he views as selective feminism in the industry. Moreover, with his new Fox Nation game show What Did I Miss? pitting contestants against real versus fake news, Gutfeld positioned himself as the antidote to Hollywood's spin.
Yet, for all the barbs, both figures seem to agree on one front: the movies aren't what they used to be. As streaming wars rage and theaters empty out, one wonders if this unlikely dialogue signals a turning point—or just more noise in the culture wars.