Disclaimer: What follows are specific plot details of “The Hateful Eight” The review contains spoilers regarding the movie. Do not read this review if you have not watched the movie yet, and wish to in the future.
The Hateful Eight, the eighth film by renowned director Quentin Tarantino, hit theaters on December 25, 2015 as a western-mystery film, which feels like a western version of the game clue. In the film eight strangers, played by Samuel Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demian Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen and Bruce Dern all become trapped in a stagecoach stopover during a terrible blizzard. Kurt Russell’s character, bounty hunter John Ruth, is taking Jennifer Jason Leigh’s character, fugitive Daisy Domergue, to hang in the town of Red Rock. However, due to the blizzard, they are forced to stop in Minnie’s Haberdashery where the other six characters are also stationed. From the very beginning of their time stuck together, suspicions arise if everyone is who they claim to be, as John Ruth fears that someone amongst the group is there to free Daisy Domergue.
After being introduced to all the characters, alliances begin to form between them, as each claim to have different motivations for being there. However, tension also forms between Samuel Jackson’s character, Major Marquis Warren, who is a black former union soldier with a famous pedigree as a bounty hunter, and southern renegade Chris Mannix, played by Walton Goggins. With the movie set shortly after the civil war, Chris Mannix and Confederate General Sanford Smithers, portrayed by Bruce Dern, have a racial dislike for Major Warren.
Tarantino does an amazing job by building tension and emotion purely through small talk hosted between the characters. For example, the first time when John Ruth is first meeting all the characters in the haberdashery, an uneasy tension forms just from them talking about their pasts, and instantly the audience is captured into the mystery.
In addition, Tarantino’s depiction of the time period by using clothing, an amazing detailed set, and dialogue makes the audience feel like they are truly in the freezing haberdashery with them. Consequently, when the door busts open and snow and wind come screaming in, the audience begin to shiver, as they feel the cold of the moment. Or when a character approaches a fire, the audience also feels the warmth and the embers coming of it. Amazingly, Tarantino’s quality of filming has this unexpected effect on the audience, which only draws them closer into the film.
However, before anyone sees this movie, it must be said it is rated R. And it should be. This movie should not be seen with any small children or sensitive young adults, unless, of course, they want to be having nightmares for a month. This is because, as true to his form, Tarantino creates an extremely bloody and graphic movie. When someone is shot blood and guts and bones and brains go everywhere. So squeamish people be warned. There is a flashback scene as well given by Samuel Jackson’s character that is, while funny, extremely inappropriate, and could easily offend young children in particular.
The final thing that must be said about this fantastic film is its use of the N-word. Tarantino shoves the n word into the film approximately 65 times, and all of those times are appropriate and are not intended to offend the audience. If someone is offended by the use of this word, then I recommend you not see the movie, however it must be remembered that Tarantino was attempting to create a realistic western movie which is taking place shortly after the civil war, so had he ignored the fact that that terrible, hateful word was used extensively in that time period, then he would have failed as a director.
Overall, despite the bloody graphic scenes and the use of the N-word, the film is still an amazing movie to watch. The cinematography creates an atmosphere in the theater where the audience can feel the blizzard themselves. As well, the dialogue is attention-grabbing, and every single word serves a purpose to further the story and development of the characters. The Hateful Eight is an amazing film which will have the viewing audience on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.
The Parkway West Pathfinder gives The Hateful Eight: 8.8/10
