Brad Pitt, a longstanding icon in Hollywood known for his charm and critically acclaimed roles, has openly acknowledged facing setbacks in his film career. Despite his impressive track record, Pitt has admitted that one movie stands out as a source of frustration: The Devil’s Own, released in 1997. The film’s troubled production and poor reception have made it a project Pitt prefers to avoid discussing, marking it as his “worst movie” in his own words.
The Devil’s Own, directed by Alan J. Pakula, features Pitt as Frank Maguire, a member of the Provisional IRA who travels to the United States to acquire weapons. His mission leads to clashes with a local Irish-American cop played by Harrison Ford, setting up a tense narrative. However, despite the star-studded cast and high-profile director, the film received lukewarm reviews, with many critics describing it as merely average, though Pitt’s Irish accent drew widespread criticism.
Behind the Scenes Struggles and Public Backlash
Pitt’s dissatisfaction with The Devil’s Own began during filming, primarily due to significant issues with the screenplay. In an interview with Newsweek, he revealed that the original script was discarded early in production, forcing the cast and crew to improvise much of the story. Pitt described this process as a source of immense pressure, calling it
“the most irresponsible bit of filmmaking”
he had encountered. Such turmoil contributed to his negative view of the final product.
Following initial public remarks about the film, Pitt’s comments stirred controversy, prompting his press team to advise caution in subsequent interviews. Reflecting on the film years later, Pitt offered a more measured view and stated he liked aspects of the movie, but he did not retract his criticism of the script’s instability and chaotic production.
Other Unfavorable Films in Pitt’s Career
While The Devil’s Own stands out as a project Pitt regrets, there are other films frequently cited as his weakest. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the live-action animated hybrid Cool World is often considered among Pitt’s poorest films—a project he almost avoided entirely. Similarly, Letterboxd users cite Cutting Class, a horror-comedy from earlier in his career, as a failure due to its lack of humor and awkward tone.
However, when asked directly by Empire magazine in 1997 about his worst movie, Pitt sidestepped naming any of these films, indicating hesitance to revisit those projects publicly, possibly due to the backlash over his previous remarks on The Devil’s Own.
Impact and What Lies Ahead for Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt’s candidness about his least favorite film reveals the challenges even top actors face behind the scenes, including creative conflicts and production chaos that can overshadow their performances. Acknowledging a movie as a low point shows Pitt’s willingness to reflect on his career honestly, despite the discomfort it may cause. Moving forward, his experiences with The Devil’s Own may influence how he approaches future roles and collaborates within the film industry, ensuring better scripts and smoother productions.
“I have just got myself into a load of trouble over remarks I made about The Devil’s Own,”
Brad Pitt
“I am not going to make the same mistake again. Sorry”
Brad Pitt
“Well, we had a great script, but it got tossed for various reasons. To have to make something up as you go along, Jesus, what pressure! It was ridiculous. It was the most irresponsible bit of filmmaking, if you can even call it that, that I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t believe it.”
Brad Pitt
