Jennifer Lopez says 'Nomadland' wasn't for her, calls Oscar winner a grief story with 'no escapism'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jennifer Lopez said she does not really label any film as the “worst,” instead pointing to one acclaimed movie that simply did not connect with her personally.
She described it as a “beautiful film,” but noted that its focus on grief and lack of escapist elements made it less aligned with the kind of movies she usually enjoys. The film she was referring to was Chloe Zhao’s 'Nomadland'.
Lopez emphasized that her reaction comes down to personal taste, adding that she respects the film’s craft even if it is not her preferred viewing experience.
Jennifer Lopez says 'Nomadland' didn’t match her movie taste
Coming from a background of loving musicals, romantic comedies, and thrillers, Lopez explained that her taste leans toward lighter, more uplifting storytelling. In contrast, she described 'Nomadland' as a slow-moving story centered on grief, which did not match what she typically seeks in films.
During a Variety interview with Brett Goldstein, Lopez said, “You can tell from my taste in movies what I think about this,” while listing favorites such as 'West Side Story' and 'Flashdance'.
She added, “It’s not why I go to the movies. I like musicals. I like romantic comedies. I like thrillers... and Nomadland is a slow-moving thing about grief, and there’s no escapism to it.”
At the same time, Lopez praised Frances McDormand’s performance, calling it “amazing,” and said it was no surprise the film went on to earn McDormand major Oscar recognition.
“She deserves all the Oscars,” Lopez said, while adding that the film simply wasn’t for her.
She also noted that her perspective is based on taste rather than judgment, saying she understands the value of films that deal with grief even if she does not gravitate toward them.
On a lighter note, Lopez mentioned she is usually hesitant about horror films as well. However, she made an exception for 'Together', starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, saying the film made her feel like the genre had “evolved.”
Jennifer Lopez and her long-standing preference for feel-good films
Lopez has built a long career as both a singer and actor, and her film choices often reflect her preference for upbeat storytelling. From 'Maid in Manhattan', 'The Wedding Planner', 'Selena', 'Shall We Dance', and 'Marry Me' to recent titles like 'Atlas' and 'Unstoppable', she has consistently leaned into romance, rom-coms, action, and thrillers.
That pattern mirrors her comfort zone as an audience member, where she tends to gravitate toward feel-good, high-energy narratives.
She also spoke about her upcoming Netflix project 'Office Romance', a romantic comedy about two coworkers whose workplace rivalry slowly turns into unexpected attraction. Set in a corporate environment, the story follows their struggle to balance ambition with growing personal feelings.
The film continues her long association with the rom-com genre, which she has repeatedly described as one of her favorite storytelling spaces both on and off screen.
