What happens when you combine eight untrustworthy characters, a single claustrophobic room, and a massive blizzard? That’s the question Quentin Tarantino ("Django Unchained") answers in his eighth film appropriately titled, “The Hateful Eight.”
Going into it, I knew exactly what to expect. I’ve been a huge fan of most of his past work, and I was expecting the same violence and witty dialogue that make his films so entertaining. However, “The Hateful Eight” is a bit more unique in the way that it’s split into two parts: the mystery and the carnage. Throughout the first half, the characters try to figure each other out, and the film is structured in a way that the audience is left looking for clues as well. A feeling of uncertainty and distrust surrounds the start of the film, and it creates and everlasting tension that kept me on the edge of my seat for the three hour run time.
The performances by the entire cast are nothing short of tremendous. As he always does, Tarantino has created dialogue that allows each actor to shine. This is probably the best performance that Samuel L. Jackson ("Pulp Fiction") has given in any Tarantino movie. Along with him are Kurt Russell ("The Thing"), Jennifer Jason Leigh ("Road to Perdition"), Walter Goggins ("Django Unchained"), Bruce Dern ("Nebraska"), Tim Roth ("Reservoir Dogs"), Michael Madsen ("Reservoir Dogs"), and even Channing Tatum ("Foxcatcher"). The combination of such a talented cast and snappy dialogue makes for an amazingly well-acted film. The actors and actress make their characters their own, making the discoveries of the dark truths within each of them all the more captivating.
As always, Tarantino’s style takes over this film in a whirlwind of both dark humor and violence. He always seems to find a way to outdo the blood and gore from his previous films, and there is no exception here. "The Hateful Eight" is definitely not a film for the faint of heart, but if you’ve enjoyed Tarantino's previous work, you’ll feel right at home with this bloody western.
Set on a wintery Wyoming mountain, the snow and cold play a huge role from start to finish. The blizzard is almost a character, trapping everyone together with its fury. There are several moments in which the blizzard’s full might is presented, and both the whistling wind and endless snow made me feel a bit of a chill in my seat. Tarantino also shot all of the indoor scenes on a cold set, so the cold the characters feel is all genuine, making the film that much more immersive.
Although it may be out of your way to see the 70mm extended version of the film, I would highly recommend it. It includes an introductory overture as well as a ten-minute intermission that makes this story feel more like a play than a film. In all my years of going to the movies, I’ve never had such a distinctive film experience, and it's well worth the extra drive.
Overall, "The Hateful Eight" is classic Tarantino. It may not be as groundbreaking as some of his other films, but it’s a thoroughly compelling mystery that will be sure to entertain from start to finish.
