Dave Bautista Stands Firm on His Critically Panned Action-Comedy Stuber and Calls It Deeply Underrated

Dave Bautista is sticking by his 2019 action-comedy Stuber, a movie that holds a 43% Rotten Tomatoes score yet remains one of the projects he’s proudest of. While Bautista is widely known for blockbuster roles in franchises like Dune and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he still believes Stuber deserves far more credit than it received from critics at the time.

In a recent conversation with ScreenRant’s Grant Hermanns while promoting his new action-thriller Trap House, Bautista opened up about his long-standing appreciation for the film. He said he would defend it “to my death,” making it clear that he sees Stuber as an underrated entry in his filmography. One of the biggest reasons for his loyalty is director Michael Dowse, whom Bautista personally brought into the project after the original director exited just weeks before filming.

According to Bautista, Dowse quite literally saved the production. The actor recalled calling him during the crisis: “We are in a bad jam. Can you help us out?” Dowse immediately agreed, boarding a plane the next day, joining pre-production, revising the script, and steering the film with a clear and confident vision. Bautista praised Dowse as a talented filmmaker who can shape a movie while shooting it, crediting him for keeping the project on track under tremendous pressure. Bautista emphasized that he wants to work with Dowse again, not only because of Dowse’s skill but also because he genuinely respects him as a person.

Stuber’s story centers on Stu Prasad, an Uber driver played by Kumail Nanjiani, whose ordinary day spirals into chaos when he picks up Vic Manning, a tough LAPD officer portrayed by Bautista. Vic is on the trail of a drug trafficker and cop killer, forcing the unlikely pair into a fast-paced and chaotic partnership. While critics acknowledged the strong chemistry between Bautista and Nanjiani, many took issue with the film’s direction, leading to its mixed-to-negative reviews.

Commercially, the movie struggled as well. With an $18 million budget, Stuber earned $32.3 million worldwide, a modest return that didn’t match studio expectations. Still, Bautista has continued to highlight elements he believes worked well — especially the humor, character dynamic, and Dowse’s direction. Before Stuber, Dowse had already earned praise for films like the 2013 rom-com The F Word (known as What If in some regions) and the 2011 sports comedy Goon, both of which helped establish his reputation for balancing humor and heart.

Bautista’s renewed praise for Stuber ties directly into his decision to reunite with Dowse for Trap House, where he stars as DEA agent Ray Seale, a father determined to stop his teenage son and his friends from robbing a cartel. The film’s unusual premise mirrors the sense of originality Bautista appreciates in Stuber, though Trap House approaches its story with a more serious tone.

Stuber may not be remembered as one of Bautista’s major hits, but it clearly holds a special place in his career. With its distinct premise, solid cast chemistry, and Bautista’s ongoing passion for the project, the movie continues to stand apart from his larger and more polished blockbusters. And with Trap House now in theaters, audiences can once again see Bautista and Dowse working together — something the actor hopes to continue in future collaborations.

For more on Stuber, you can visit its Rotten Tomatoes page, and for details on Michael Dowse’s filmography, check out his IMDb profile.