Quentin Tarantino is no stranger to controversy or divisive takes, both on and off the silver screen. Over his 30-plus-year career, he’s delivered some truly puzzling opinions, from minimizing Martin Scorsese’s shock at Taxi Driver’s reception to baffling claims about George Clooney’s star power—or lack thereof. And let’s not forget his indefensible remarks defending Roman Polanski’s criminal actions. Yet, amidst the noise, Tarantino occasionally strikes a chord with a solid observation or two.
Tarantino recently caused a stir by praising Joker: Folie à Deux during an appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast. He lauded Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as among the best he’s ever seen, enjoyed the film’s musical sequences, and felt flattered by its nods to his script for Natural Born Killers. According to Tarantino, the film embodies the kind of movie he once dreamed would emerge from his work.
While many critics and fans, including the author of this critique, disagree with Tarantino’s assessment of Folie à Deux—citing its muddled attempt to critique its audience while portraying its protagonist sympathetically—it’s hard to argue against his right to enjoy the movie.
In true Tarantino fashion, he doubled down on his right to like Joker: Folie à Deux during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, where he unleashed a profanity-laden defense:
“You read the comments: ‘Quentin is a f-cking asshole. That movie f-cking sucks. He’s a f-cking asshole for saying that.’ Why am I a f-cking asshole? I liked the f-cking movie! That makes me a f-cking asshole? You either like the movie or you don’t.”
His tirade extended to criticism about his choice not to watch Dune, claiming:
“Then they’ll say I’m a f-cking asshole for not seeing something—what the f-ck do you care what I see or don’t see?”
While this take aligns with his aversion to franchise filmmaking, it’s ironic considering Joker itself is part of a franchise. Nevertheless, Tarantino has a point: no one can watch every movie, and personal taste is subjective.
Is There Beef with Denis Villeneuve?
Tarantino’s critique of Dune seems rooted in his broader disdain for an era dominated by remakes and sequels. But his dismissal of Denis Villeneuve’s work feels more pointed. Whether it’s professional rivalry or a matter of differing philosophies on filmmaking, the subtext is intriguing.
The Realm Where Tarantino Reigns
When Tarantino sticks to movies, his opinions—while often divisive—are entertaining and thought-provoking. As he nears his self-imposed retirement, his voice remains a valuable one for cinephiles seeking passionate, if occasionally polarizing, insights into cinema.
For now, fans can enjoy his film musings on The Video Archives Podcast, co-hosted with Roger Avary. Their spirited debates offer a glimpse into Tarantino’s unfiltered thoughts on the art form he loves—and sometimes loathes. Even if you disagree with him, there’s no denying his knack for sparking lively discussions about the movies we watch and the way we watch them.