Sebastian Stan has spoken out about what he sees as the growing normalization of negativity in society, arguing that people are increasingly encouraged to judge rather than understand opposing viewpoints. The actor addressed the issue while promoting Fjord at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, where he also reflected on parenthood and the challenges of raising children in the current climate.
Speaking at The Hollywood Reporter’s TIFF Studio, Stan said online discourse is one of the clearest examples of the problem.
“It’s just so lazy and it’s so unfortunate because you see people just react,”
he explained, adding that many reactions offer neither solutions nor meaningful counterarguments.
Sebastian Stan Wants More Curiosity and Less Judgment
Stan argued that negativity is not simply an internet problem but part of a broader cultural environment.
“It starts, unfortunately, at the top with this invitation to be negative,”
he said, while stopping short of directly identifying who he believed was responsible.
The actor encouraged people, particularly younger generations, to question opinions rather than immediately dismissing them. He said there should be greater encouragement for people to ask why someone thinks differently, describing curiosity as something society should actively promote.
That perspective connects directly to Fjord, the Cristian Mungiu-directed drama in which Stan plays a conservative father and husband. The film follows a Romanian religious family that moves to a progressive Norwegian village, creating tensions around culture, beliefs and tolerance.
Mungiu has described the movie as an opportunity to consider different viewpoints, while Stan said its themes became particularly personal as he considered what values should be passed on to children.
“I don’t know as much as I thought I did,”
Stan said while discussing parenthood and the lessons inherited from previous generations. He acknowledged that culture, history and family traditions remain important, but questioned whether every belief passed down to children should automatically be preserved.
Fjord has already made a major impact on the festival circuit after winning the Palme d’Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. NEON lists the film for a theatrical release on October 9, 2026, with Stan and Renate Reinsve leading the cast.
For Stan, the film’s themes appear especially relevant at a time when public discussions can quickly become polarized. Rather than presenting a simple answer, Fjord aims to place conflicting perspectives alongside one another and leave audiences to consider their own conclusions.