The Book of Henry: Colin Trevorrow responds to scathing reviews

Film director Colin Trevorrow has responded to the scathing reviews his new film The Book of Henry received.

The drama, starring Naomi Watts, Jacob Tremblay and Dean Norris, was released in cinemas earlier this month and has been one of the worst reviewed films of the year.

Trevorrow, who is directing Star Wars: Episode IX, described the negative feedback as “hugely disappointing.”

Speaking on the Empire Podcast, he said: “It’s a little heartbreaking, without getting too personal. It came to us as a bit of a shock because we had screened this movie to so many people, and we’d had reactions from so many people that we felt we knew what we had and we knew how it was affecting the audience. And that actually hasn’t changed. It affects audiences in the same way that we thought it would.

“We did not anticipate that level of vitriolic dislike for the film,” he added. “In the end, do I want to be somebody who pleases both audiences and critics? Absolutely. Is that hugely disappointing? It is.”

Despite the critical feedback, Trevorrow remains supportive of the film. He said: “I do stand by the movie. I know it’s something I am very proud of, and everyone who made it is very proud.

“Please go see the movie and recognise that there was a lot of thought and care put into telling the story,” he went on.

The Book of Henry is in cinemas now.