Pedro Almodóvar shares his opinion on the Oscars 2022 slapgate incident, comparing Will Smith’s apology speech to that of a cult-leader

Will Smith ruined and immortalized his career after he slapped Chris Rock right across his face at the Oscars 2022. With such iconic roles to his name, the actor let it all slip away in a fit of rage as Hollywood turned against the Men in Black actor in a matter of seconds.

Director Pedro Almodóvar talked about the moment he saw Smith slapping Chris Rock and in the next moment, the actor was speaking about his Oscar win. Writing in his book, Almodóvar compared Will Smith to a cult leader and talked about the horrific incident that transpired at the Oscars 2022.
Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards

Director Pedro Almodóvar Felt Will Smith Was A Cult Leader

Pedro Almodóvar is known for directing several movies like Parallel Mothers and Strange Way of Life. Being somewhat of a writer as well, the director often writes experiences from his life in his diary which he shares with the world frequently.
Director Pedro Almodóvar

In an interview with IndieWire, the director shared the moment Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars 2022. Talking about the philosophies of violence, aggression, and, rage, Pedro Almodóvar stated that people don’t defend their families with fists and violence.
“What I saw and heard, produced a feeling of absolute rejection in me. [On Will Smith’s speech] A speech that seemed more like that of a cult leader. You don’t defend or protect the family with your fists, and no, the devil doesn’t take advantage of key moments to do his work.”
The director further brushed up on the fact when Denzel Washington had stated to Will Smith that during the highest point in his career, the devil would try to take it all away. With Smith slapping Chris Rock, that’s what exactly happened but Pedro Almodóvar doesn’t believe that it was the work of the devil.

Pedro Almodóvar Doesn’t Believe In The Work of The Devil

Will Smith in Emancipation (2022)
Will Smith once stated that Denzel Washington had revealed to him that the devil would eventually come for people when they are at their highest point in life. Mentioning the phrase in his speech, director Pedro Almodóvar wrote in his book that the devil, for a fact, doesn’t exist.
“The devil, in fact, doesn’t exist. This was a fundamentalist speech that we should neither hear nor see. Some claim that it was the only real moment in the ceremony, but they are talking about the faceless monster that is the social media. For them, avid for carrion, it undoubtedly was the great event of the night.”
In the end, Will Smith found his reputation and career hanging at the end of a rope with that single slap. The actor tried reviving his career with the 2022 film Emancipation but to no avail. It seems that the upcoming Bad Boys 4 will be the only film that could somehow redeem Will Smith from his rageful act.