Christian Bale admits he rarely watches movies even those of his co-stars

Christian Bale, the award-winning actor known for transformative performances in films like The Machinist and The Fighter, admits he doesn’t watch many movies, even those starring his own co-stars.

The 52-year-old portrays Frankenstein’s monster in The Bride!, but he hasn’t yet seen Jacob Elordi’s take on the same character in Frankenstein, nor Jessie Buckley’s acclaimed performance as Agnes Hathaway in Hamnet, which recently earned her Best Leading Actress at the 2026 Actor Awards and BAFTAs.

“I just know Jessie as The Bride!,” Bale told People. “I hear [her other work] is fantastic. I just don’t watch that many movies.”

Buckley, 36, who co-stars with Bale in The Bride!, had nothing but admiration for him. “When you step onto set with Christian, you’re going to work,” she said. 

“You have to bring your A-game and match the incredible talent of this artist. I love him dearly. He’s the most incredible actor, and I feel so lucky to have worked with him.”

She also highlighted Bale’s iconic past roles: “The Fighter is extraordinary. The Machinist no one has created a character like that. He annoyingly never does a bad performance.”

Bale also revealed a surprising perspective on celebrity encounters. He warns fans against meeting him, fearing they’ll face “terrible disappointment.”

Asked if he’s ever been starstruck, the American Psycho star told Entertainment Tonight: “I see it in people’s eyes when they’ve watched my movies and loved them, and then they meet me… that terrible disappointment about who I really am. That’s me at my best in the movie. Never meet me, and I never want to meet my heroes either.”