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.
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.
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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
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.”
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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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