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Rupert Grint Slammed For ‘Spineless’ Response To ‘Rise In Fascism’ After Years Of Silence
Rupert Grint is facing backlash for his response to a question about far-right politics at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival, after avoiding political and social commentary for years.
The question followed a broader trend of stars being asked about politics at the annual film showcase, with actors such as Michelle Yeoh, Neil Patrick Harris, and jury president Wim Wenders declining to comment.
Highlights
- Rupert Grint is facing backlash after expressing his views on the UK’s political climate, with some netizens believing his response was not strong enough.
- Grint was promoting his film Nightborn at the Berlin International Film Festival when he was asked about his stance.
- The journalist framed his question by referencing Grint’s previous rebuke of J.K. Rowling’s views on transgender rights.
While Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film series, did respond to the journalist who asked for his views, many netizens feel he did not say enough.
“I need actors to remember they are artists, and art is always political. Speak up! Please stop leaving it to just the little people. We have to work together,” a critic advised.
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Rupert Grint shared his thoughts on the rise of right-wing politics at the Berlin International Film Festival
Image credits: Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images
The UK has seen many protests in recent days driven by hardline views on immigration and national identity.
The Crowborough march in East Sussex in January, opposing plans for an asylum seeker center, is one recent example.
Image credits: Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images
To both the Berlin International Film Festival journalist and a section of Grint’s fans, such demonstrations reflect the growing influence of far-right ideologies in the country.
On Saturday, February 14, Grint, who was promoting his movie Nightborn, was asked whether he would consider speaking out about the same.
Image credits: MarrMar77
Image credits: BaldPOlitiCs
The question referenced his previous comments about J. K. Rowling, after she was accused of attacking the transgender community by posting a series of tweets in 2020 criticizing an op-ed that discussed “people who menstruate.”
While Rowling wanted the piece to refer to menstruating people as women, Grint, in an interview given to The Times at the time, expressed, “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment. I stand with the trans community.”
Image credits: Berlinale – Berlin International Film Festival
At the Berlin Film Festival, speaking about the current political climate of the UK, Grint said: “Obviously, I’m against it. But I choose my moments when to speak. But I think, yeah, it’s obviously hugely relevant now. You’ll hear from me.”
Grint wasn’t the only member at Nightborn’s press conference to talk about politics
Rupert Grint is asked about the rise of fascism at #BerlinFilmFestival: “Obviously, I’m against it. But I choose my moments when to speak.” pic.twitter.com/GPa7yaGiaN
— Variety (@Variety) February 14, 2026
The movie’s director, Hanna Bergholm, was asked about her reason for wearing the watermelon pin used to express solidarity with Palestine.
“As grown-up human beings, I think we have a responsibility to speak against violence and injustice,” she said, adding, “and it’s important that we don’t tell other film artists that they shouldn’t speak up.”
Image credits: UzuNeymar
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Screenwriter Ilja Rautsi shared: “I think it is important to shine a light on whatever issue we are facing because art is all about empathy.
“Politicians or millionaires who don’t do anything but cause problems, it’s maybe good to create some form of pressure or just to get people aware of whatever is happening in the world.”
Grint’s response to the rise of far-right sentiment in the UK has been perceived by some online as overly soft
Image credits: Cindy Ord/Getty Images
“Like, just say it’s bad,” a social media user advised Grint, while another added, “You can tell this is an answer from someone with the privilege of never having needed to think about it.”
“I’m so tired of actors being spineless. Some of them are just proving they would have been silent during the rise of the N**is. Have a backbone,” wrote a third.
Image credits: HBO
A fourth expressed, “He has a platform, and it shouldn’t be hard to say fa**ism is bad. Nobody needs it, but it’s important to use your voice when people have blessed you with the opportunity.”
“Wow, what a statement. Fascists tremble and seek refuge,” mocked a fifth, with several others quipping they will wait to hear more from Grint.
Rupert Grint’s Nightborn is a fantasy horror offering with no release date yet
Image credits: Warner Bros. Pictures
Nightborn follows a couple, Saga (Seidi Haarla) and Jon (Grint), who move to an isolated house in a forest. Things take a darker turn after the birth of their son, whom Saga is certain there is something very wrong with.
Image credits: Getaway Films
While the film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival this weekend, a wider theatrical or streaming release date has not yet been announced.
In an interview ahead of his Berlin Film Festival appearance, meanwhile, Grint discussed HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter TV series.
Dominic McLaughlin will play the titular wizard in the HBO iteration of Rowling’s work, while Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout will star as Hermione and Ron, respectively.
Image credits: Berlinale – Berlin International Film Festival
Speaking to Variety on February 13, Grint said hearing about the trio of young actors took him “straight back to 1999,” when he, alongside Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, was starting the Harry Potter film series.
“It was such an exciting time,” the actor reminisced, adding, “I do wish them [the new Harry Potter kids] all the best. It’s such a fun journey.”
“He knew the journalist was trying to get a clip,” a netizen said in favor of Grint’s response
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What do you think ?
Kate Johnson 1 week ago
I would suggest people "get a life" and not worry about what actors have to say about politics.
Krd 1 week ago (edited)
That ship has sailed. Especially in the West. How many politicians are celebrities outside of politics?! It's a lot. Reagan started it. These people have a massive platform. They are morally obligated to speak truth to power. There is famous poem you should read; "First They Came" by German pastor Martin Niemöller. It has never been more relevant than now. So to anyone and everyone who thinks like you, who thinks people should shut up and mind their own business, and not be allowed to speak out just because of who they are or where they come from, you are the problem, not them. It's that kind of "reasoning" that has led to countless deaths. The N*zis wouldn't let anyone who wasn't Ary*n to speak publicly/politically, apparently you agree with that kind of logic. Same exact logic being applied, just being directed at actors instead of Jewish/minority people. Don't be a gatekeeper, it makes you look pathetic and weak, scared of the truth.
Load More Replies...
Sarah 1 week ago
He didn’t have to answer any political questions. Can you imagine being put in a stage in front of media and asked. It doesn’t matter a whit, what you say, you’ll insult someone and next thjng you know you never work again.
Krd 1 week ago
Tell me one actor who had their career ruined (in recent times, not old Hollywood) for saying people deserve basic human rights?! It isn't hard to say fascism is bad. We kind of learned that fact back in WW2.
Load More Replies...
Lost Panda 1 week ago
Oh my lords, whatever will we do? A famous person didn't say what was expected of them about political interests. *over dramatic faint* Snarkiness out of the way, la-di-freaking-da! We all know that fac:sm is bad. There is no need to hear it from every famous person alive. He did not say that it is a glorious thing that we should all strive to follow. In fact, why should it matter what the famous say? They get paid to provide entertainment. Half the swill that comes from their mouths tends to be just to sell themselves anyways. If they said it, how are you to know they truly mean/believe it. On top of that, why should it matter? Them saying something one way or another on political topics will make nothing change. Never has, never will. People need to stop looking to the famous to formulate/validate their viewpoints.
Krd 1 week ago (edited)
You contradict yourself. You say actors opinions don't change anything, but then you say their fans look to them for their viewpoints. If people are looking to their favorite celebrities for their opinions on stuff like this, then it's obvious that their opinions do in fact affect things. The fact people like you get all riled up about it, proves that their opinions and words do affect things. You are clearly a nihilist, please don't spread your hate.
Load More Replies... FreeTheUnicorn 1 week ago
Spineless is quite generous. If you aren't able to clearly say fascism is bad, you're sympathetic to it at the very least. This isn't endorsing a political party or candidate. If you aren't sure if your country should support human rights, it's because you're against human rights I'm sorry to those who don't want to see that someone who played a beloved character isn't as good as his role, but it isn't cowardice, it's support.
Kate Johnson 1 week ago
I would suggest people "get a life" and not worry about what actors have to say about politics.
Krd 1 week ago (edited)
That ship has sailed. Especially in the West. How many politicians are celebrities outside of politics?! It's a lot. Reagan started it. These people have a massive platform. They are morally obligated to speak truth to power. There is famous poem you should read; "First They Came" by German pastor Martin Niemöller. It has never been more relevant than now. So to anyone and everyone who thinks like you, who thinks people should shut up and mind their own business, and not be allowed to speak out just because of who they are or where they come from, you are the problem, not them. It's that kind of "reasoning" that has led to countless deaths. The N*zis wouldn't let anyone who wasn't Ary*n to speak publicly/politically, apparently you agree with that kind of logic. Same exact logic being applied, just being directed at actors instead of Jewish/minority people. Don't be a gatekeeper, it makes you look pathetic and weak, scared of the truth.
Load More Replies... Sarah 1 week ago
He didn’t have to answer any political questions. Can you imagine being put in a stage in front of media and asked. It doesn’t matter a whit, what you say, you’ll insult someone and next thjng you know you never work again.
Krd 1 week ago
Tell me one actor who had their career ruined (in recent times, not old Hollywood) for saying people deserve basic human rights?! It isn't hard to say fascism is bad. We kind of learned that fact back in WW2.
Load More Replies... Lost Panda 1 week ago
Oh my lords, whatever will we do? A famous person didn't say what was expected of them about political interests. *over dramatic faint* Snarkiness out of the way, la-di-freaking-da! We all know that fac:sm is bad. There is no need to hear it from every famous person alive. He did not say that it is a glorious thing that we should all strive to follow. In fact, why should it matter what the famous say? They get paid to provide entertainment. Half the swill that comes from their mouths tends to be just to sell themselves anyways. If they said it, how are you to know they truly mean/believe it. On top of that, why should it matter? Them saying something one way or another on political topics will make nothing change. Never has, never will. People need to stop looking to the famous to formulate/validate their viewpoints.
Krd 1 week ago (edited)
You contradict yourself. You say actors opinions don't change anything, but then you say their fans look to them for their viewpoints. If people are looking to their favorite celebrities for their opinions on stuff like this, then it's obvious that their opinions do in fact affect things. The fact people like you get all riled up about it, proves that their opinions and words do affect things. You are clearly a nihilist, please don't spread your hate.
Load More Replies... FreeTheUnicorn 1 week ago
Spineless is quite generous. If you aren't able to clearly say fascism is bad, you're sympathetic to it at the very least. This isn't endorsing a political party or candidate. If you aren't sure if your country should support human rights, it's because you're against human rights I'm sorry to those who don't want to see that someone who played a beloved character isn't as good as his role, but it isn't cowardice, it's support.
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