Taika Waititi Slams Biopics as Cinema’s Most Boring Genre

Taika Waititi has always been a filmmaker who keeps audiences guessing. Whether you were hooked by the offbeat vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows or found yourself dreading his foray into superhero blockbusters, his career has spanned a wide range of styles and tones. Even his biggest fans have likely found themselves puzzled by some of his creative choices. That unpredictability is part of his appeal—and, it seems, exactly how he likes it.

Waititi’s signature brand of sly, rebellious humor runs through all his work, and it’s just as present in his interviews. He’s never shied away from saying what others in Hollywood might only think. He once joked that he’s his own biggest fan—a sentiment many in the industry might secretly share, but few would ever admit. Sometimes, his comments seem designed to stir the pot more than to reveal any deep truth. For instance, he’s bluntly declared that director’s cuts are overrated.

Waititi’s Take on Biopics

One of his more controversial opinions came during a 2017 interview, when he took aim at an entire film genre. The New Zealand director didn’t mince words, calling biopics

“the worst type of movie”

and dismissing them as universally dull. He went on to say,

“They’re always subject to such scrutiny. Like … ‘Oh, they really learned to play piano, they went around wearing blue suede shoes for the entire shoot’. I think, why is that interesting for an actor? Who cares?”

To be fair, Waititi isn’t the first to criticize the genre. Hollywood has a long tradition of churning out self-important, slow-moving biopics that seem tailor-made for awards season. Still, it’s telling that the director of Thor chose to single out biopics, rather than the superhero movies that have arguably had a bigger impact on the industry’s creative direction.

Provocation or Honesty?

Waititi’s comments often blur the line between genuine opinion and playful provocation. He’s not someone who expects to be taken at face value, whether he’s poking fun at Hollywood conventions or making bold statements at award shows. His willingness to challenge the status quo is part of what makes him such a compelling figure in the film world.

Ironically, despite his harsh words for biopics, Waititi has toyed with the idea of making one himself. He’s mentioned the possibility of creating a musical about the infamous Fyre Festival fiasco. It wouldn’t be surprising if he eventually tackled a biographical story in his own unique style—maybe even a sci-fi epic about a historical figure like Genghis Khan or Mahatma Gandhi. With Waititi, you never really know what’s coming next.