CHARLIE HUNNAM REVEALS THE FILM THAT MADE HIM QUIT READING REVIEWS

The ‘Sons of Anarchy’ star opens up about leaving critics behind after a harsh reception for ‘Green Street Hooligans’

Charlie Hunnam, the Sons of Anarchy alum with a career spanning nearly three decades, has revealed the pivotal moment that led him to stop reading reviews of his work—both from critics and fans alike. Speaking to Access Hollywood at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, Hunnam reflected on how a single film early in his career shaped his approach to navigating public opinion.

“I don’t read any of it. Not for years,” Hunnam said. “I learned that trick early in my career. I’ve been doing this for 27 years.”

The Film That Changed Everything

The 2005 crime drama Green Street Hooligans—in which Hunnam starred alongside Elijah Wood and Claire Forlani—taught him the value of tuning out external opinions. Directed by Lexi Alexander, who earned an Oscar nomination in 2003 for a short film, the movie follows a London newcomer as he becomes entangled in the underground world of football hooliganism.

“There was a film I did called Green Street Hooligans, which ended up getting a huge sort of cult following to it, but the critics were not particularly kind to me when that film came out,” Hunnam recalled. “And I said, ‘All right, okay. I don’t need to go through this again.’”

While critics were often harsh—ViewLondon called Hunnam’s performance “utterly dreadful,” and the Detroit Free Press summarized the film as “not quite the good movie to be made about the violent world of British soccer”—audiences responded differently. On Rotten Tomatoes, Green Street Hooligans currently holds a 45 percent critic score, but audiences have rated it an impressive 87 percent based on over 100,000 votes, reflecting its enduring cult appeal.

Avoiding the Spotlight, Even for Awards

Hunnam’s decision to avoid reviews extends beyond film reception; it even delayed him learning about his Critics Choice nomination this year. Recognized for his role as serial killer Ed Gein in Monster, Hunnam was nominated for Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television.

“I was up at my ranch. I’ve got a ranch up north of Santa Barbara, and I never really look at my phone when I’m up there, and I didn’t know these nominations were coming out,” he explained. “I looked at my phone, and I had like 40-some missed calls and messages and I thought, ‘Oh no, something horrible has happened.’ Turns out something wonderful had happened.”

Although Stephen Graham won the award for Adolescence, Hunnam’s philosophy of keeping a distance from reviews remains intact. He will have another chance at an award when the Golden Globes air Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

A Career on His Own Terms

From the early criticism of Green Street Hooligans to his acclaimed work in recent years, Hunnam’s approach demonstrates a steadfast commitment to his craft over external validation. By prioritizing the work itself over reactions to it, he has carved out a career defined by resilience, consistency, and the ability to find fulfillment beyond the headlines.

For Hunnam, the lesson was clear: trust in your work, let the audience respond, and leave the critics behind.