Advertisement

Harry Styles’s mother defends his new film Don’t Worry Darling

Harry Styles with his mother Anne Twist
Harry Styles with his mother Anne Twist

Harry Styles’s mother has told film-goers that “If it’s not your cup of tea, don’t go”, in an apparent defence of her son’s new film Don’t Worry Darling.

Anne Twist has posted several times on social media praising the film, which is directed by Olivia Wilde, and has been met with mixed reviews.

Several reviewers have praised the performance of co-star Florence Pugh, while calling into question Styles’s thespian talents.

The singer’s performance was described as “wooden” in The Times, while film reviewer Sonny Bunch wrote: “all I have for [Styles’s] performance is ‘he looks like an angry frog’.”

The Telegraph awarded it four stars.

Styles was also mocked by social media users following a promotional interview where he said: “My favourite thing about the movie is, like, it feels like a movie”.

On Wednesday, Twist uploaded a photo to Instagram of her going to see it at a cinema in France.

The following day she wrote seemingly in response to negative comments on the post from people who did not enjoy the film, or who had taken sides against her son in the ongoing spat around its release.

She wrote: “‘If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all’.

“I’m astounded and saddened by the vitriolic comments on here to be honest.

“I enjoyed a film. If it’s not your cup of tea don’t go …”

Nick Kroll, Florence Pugh, Chris Pine, Olivia Wilde, Sydney Chandler, Harry Styles and Gemma Chan attend the Don't Worry Darling red carpet at the Venice International Film Festival - WireImage
Nick Kroll, Florence Pugh, Chris Pine, Olivia Wilde, Sydney Chandler, Harry Styles and Gemma Chan attend the Don't Worry Darling red carpet at the Venice International Film Festival - WireImage
Several reviewers have praised Florence Pugh’s performance, while noting that Harry Styles doesn’t reach the same standard
Several reviewers have praised Florence Pugh’s performance, while noting that Harry Styles doesn’t reach the same standard

Twist’s plea comes after a problematic publicity tour for the film.

In late August, conflict emerged between Wilde and the actor Shia LaBeouf, who was previously listed to play Styles’s character Jack.

There were additional rumours of fall-outs between cast members, and Pugh participated in only a limited amount of publicity for the film.

Styles came into the public eye as part of the boy band One Direction, which featured on the 2010 series of The X Factor.

He has since forged a successful solo music career, including this year’s Harry’s House, a number-one album in both the UK and US.

He has also taken on a handful of acting roles, including in Christopher Nolan’s 2017 film Dunkirk.