Photo Credit: Getty Images
Denzel Washington may be one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, but his relationship with cinema is far from what most would expect. In a recent conversation with rapper A$AP Rocky and filmmaker Spike Lee for a GQ feature, the 70-year-old actor confessed that he does not watch movies—neither his own nor those of others. The revelation, met with laughter from his fellow guests, underscored Washington's unique approach to his craft.
"I don't watch movies, man. I really don't," Washington said plainly, explaining that after decades in the industry, he has grown weary of the medium. When pressed on whether this was because he spends so much of his life making them, Washington admitted that fatigue plays a role. Asked by Spike Lee how many films he has made, he replied with a wry grin, "Too many. I think 50."
Despite his avoidance of watching films, Washington remains deeply committed to creating them. His latest project, Highest 2 Lowest, directed by Lee, marks their fifth collaboration since Mo' Better Blues in 1990. Washington admitted he has not revisited that film since its premiere, nor has he ever watched any of his films from beginning to end. To him, the work is done once the cameras stop rolling. "I don't have favorites," he explained. "My favorite movie is always my next one."
This outlook reflects Washington's forward-looking philosophy, rooted in growth rather than nostalgia. While others celebrate his legendary performances in films such as Training Day and Glory, he is more concerned with the challenges ahead. His upcoming role in Netflix's Here Comes the Flood, a heist drama alongside Robert Pattinson and Daisy Edgar-Jones, demonstrates his continuing appetite for demanding projects.
For audiences, his films remain cultural landmarks, but for Washington himself, they are simply steps in a long journey defined not by what has been, but by what is yet to come.
