10 Directors Who Didn't Understand Their Own Movies

10. Ridley Scott - Blade Runner

Blade Runner Ridley Scott Harrison Ford
Warner Bros.

There's little dispute among sci-fi fans that Ridley Scott crafted one of the most iconic and singular entries into the genre with Blade Runner, a movie brought to life by the unforgettable performances, incredible production craft, evocative screenplay and, yes, Scott's methodical direction.

But as skilled a filmmaker as Scott proved himself to be here and ever since, he continues to prove in interviews that he fundamentally doesn't grasp the truth of the material.

For years, Scott has insisted that Deckard (Harrison Ford) is indeed a replicant, a prospect hinted at in the Final Cut's haunting closing sequence.

And while it's a fun, ambiguous provocation, Scott so insistently proclaiming Deckard to be a replicant demonstrates how little he truly understands the movie he made.

After all, if Deckard is indeed a replicant, then he's learned nothing about the human condition, whereas if he's a human, he's come to appreciate that the "humanity" of the replicants may well exceed his own.

Scott's stance, of removing the mystery and picking the less thematically rich option, irked not only fans but also Ford and Blade Runner 2049 director Denis Villeneuve, both of whom disagreed with his assessment.

Thankfully, the long-awaited sequel didn't conclusively confirm Deckard's true nature either way, so if fans invoke a little Death of the Author, they're free to believe that Scott's wrong and Deckard is a human.

Advertisement
Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.