Marvel actor sought therapy due to ‘Eternals’ negative reviews, citing ‘trauma
Actor Kumail Nanjiani Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles After Negative Reviews of Marvel’s “Eternals”
In a candid interview, actor Kumail Nanjiani revealed that the scathing reviews of the highly anticipated Marvel film “Eternals” took a toll on his mental well-being, leading him to seek therapy.
“The reviews were bad, and I was too aware of it,” shared the 45-year-old Nanjiani during a recent appearance on the podcast “Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum,” as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. “I was reading every review and checking too much.”
Nanjiani further explained the challenging circumstances surrounding the film’s release, stating, “It was really, really hard because Marvel thought that movie was going to be really, really well reviewed, so they lifted the embargo early and put it in some fancy movie festivals and they sent us on a big global tour to promote the movie right as the embargo lifted.”
Unfortunately, their strategy backfired, and the actors found themselves promoting a film that faced heavy criticism from reviewers.
“I think there was some weird soup in the atmosphere for why that movie got slammed so much, and I think not much of it has to do with the actual quality of the movie,” Nanjiani expressed. “It was really hard, and that was when I thought it was unfair to me and unfair to [my wife] Emily, and I can’t approach my work this way anymore. Some sh** has to change, so I started counseling. I still talk to my therapist about that.”
Reflecting on the impact of the negative reviews, Nanjiani shared, “Emily says that I do have trauma from it. We actually just got dinner with somebody else from that movie and we were like, ‘That was tough, wasn’t it?’ and he’s like ‘Yeah, that was really tough,’ and I think we all went through something similar.”
About “Eternals”
“Eternals” is a superhero film based on the beloved Marvel Comics race of humanoids. Directed and co-written by Chloé Zhao, the movie boasts an ensemble cast featuring renowned stars such as Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kit Harington, and more. While the film garnered $402 million worldwide and received some accolades, it faced significant criticism and fell short of expectations.
“Clearly, we’re supposed to leave the cinema filled with an urgent sense of anticipation. But all I felt was relief that the two-and-a-half-hour running time had finally come to an end,” remarked a reviewer from the Sydney Morning Herald.
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Why does Nanjiani emphasize the importance of seeking professional help for mental health struggles
Got the reviews it got,” Nanjiani shared. “It was like, it was playing definitely a bigger role.”
The negative reception to “Eternals” aroused feelings of self-doubt and insecurity for Nanjiani, who had undergone a remarkable physical transformation for his role in the film. The actor spent months rigorously training and dieting to achieve a chiseled physique, garnering praise and admiration from fans and fellow actors alike.
However, the harsh criticism of the film overshadowed Nanjiani’s personal achievement, leading to a downturn in his mental health. “I had an unhealthy relationship with how I thought about my body and how I looked,” he admitted. “Some of my mental health stuff had to do with that.”
To cope with the emotional toll of the negative reviews and the subsequent impact on his mental well-being, Nanjiani sought therapy. “I got therapy after that,” he revealed. “I think 2020 was already hard enough for everybody. And then when you add it [the negative reviews] on top of that, it felt like, ‘Okay, I need to figure out what’s going on here.'”
Nanjiani emphasized the importance of seeking professional help when facing mental health struggles, highlighting the stigma that often surrounds therapy. “Everybody has something that they’re going through,” he said. “You have to treat emotional health like mental health. It’s as important as physical health.”
The actor’s openness about his mental health struggles serves as a reminder that public figures, despite their success and fame, are not immune to the impact of negative criticism. Nanjiani’s journey towards prioritizing his well-being is an inspiring example of resilience and self-care.
As for the future, Nanjiani remains determined to move forward and focus on his mental and emotional well-being. “I just want to keep working on keeping my brain right,” he shared. “The only way I’m going to be able to do any of this stuff well is if I take care of myself first.”
In concluding his interview, Nanjiani expressed gratitude for the support he received from his loved ones and fans during his challenging times. “I’m really, really grateful to have had this huge support from friends and family and fans. I get messages that are so heartfelt from people. I really am aware that I’m lucky,” he acknowledged.
Kumail Nanjiani’s candid and honest account of his mental health struggles following the negative reviews of “Eternals” sheds light on the importance of prioritizing one’s well-being, regardless of external success or failure. It serves as a reminder to seek professional help and surround oneself with a support system during difficult times.
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