Christian Bale Enjoys ‘Harsh Criticism’ Of His Movies

by Helen Earnshaw | 3 December 2014

Christian Bale has revealed that he enjoys harsh criticism a doesn't have a problem with people hating a movie that he has made.

Christian Bale

Bale is set to return to the big screen later this month with Exodus: Gods and Kings, which will see him take on the role of Moses in the Ridley Scott directed film. The movie follows Moses as he rises up against Pharaoh Ramses as he teams up with Scott for the first time.

And while many actors would be upset if a movie or performance is pulled apart, Bale says that criticism makes him feel 'complete'.

Speaking to Esquire, the actor said: "I always enjoy harsh criticism," he said. "I get a kick out of people hating a film I've made. There's a perverse kind of enjoyment to that.

"I think it comes from an awareness that it can be one of the most vain jobs going. We get to work, where's the first place we go? Make-up. So, I sort of enjoy whenever I get ripped apart. It makes me feel complete."

Exodus: Gods and Kings is the third big screen outing for Bale this year, after enjoying critical success with American Hustle and Out of the Furnace - the former say him receive a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his lead performance in the David O.Russell directed movie.

His nod for American Hustle was the first Best Actor Oscar nomination of his career, and came three years after he picked up the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in The Fighter, which was also directed by David O.Russell.

Into 2015, Bale has a couple of Terrence Malick movies on the horizon as he teams up with the filmmaker for the first time since The New World back in 2006. Knight of Cups sees him team up with Imogen Poots, Cate Blanchett, Wes Bentley, and Joel Kinnaman and Natalie Portman, while the second movie is currently an untitled project.

However, the cast list is just as impressive as Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, cate Blanchett, and Natalie Portman are all also on board.