Hateful Eight

Rating : 5/10
Release Date : 15th January, 2016
Time : 167 minutes (in India); 187 minutes (in other countries that don’t believe in silly censorship)
Director, Writer: Quentin Tarantino; Music : Ennio Morricone
Starring : Kurt Russell, Samuel L Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Bruce Dern, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, James Parks, Demian Bichir, Channing Tatum




For large stretches of the movie, it seems the characters are going to talk you to death. They go on, and on, and on – covering almost every topic under the sun, including the recently ended civil war, race relations etc. And then, finally, just before the interval, the first gunshot fires loudly, blood spatters…and the film enters familiar Tarantino territory and the violence doesn’t stop for most of the second half

In snowy conditions, with a blizzard fast approaching, Kurt Russell, a bounty hunter, is taking his latest catch, a dangerous outlaw, Jennifer, to the nearest town to be hanged. Samuel Jackson, another bounty hunter, is taking three culprits too, only difference being his are dead. Walton, a former renegade, is trying to make it to the town as well, to take up a new position there. Their paths converge, and with the blizzard almost upon them, Kurt, despite being deeply suspicious, almost paranoid, about his prisoner escaping / getting help from outside, is forced to take refuge, along with Samuel and Walton, in a well known haberdashery. Where a few other nefarious characters are present, also escaping from the blizzard. A retired Southern General, Bruce Dern. A cowboy on his way home, Michael Madsen. A Mexican, Demian Bichir. And an Englishman, who has an unusual vocation, Tim Roth.

Racial tensions lead to battle lines being drawn pretty swiftly, in an atmosphere already charged up with suspicion, distrust thanks to Kurt’s paranoia and with all the simmering anger, resentment, this situational powder keg is primed for explosion…

There are too many flaws in the story, though. There were surely easier ways for objectives to be achieved versus the complicated path chosen ? And did the build-up have to be so slow ?

Fans looking for a classic Tarantino gore fest will not be disappointed in the second half, despite our censors best efforts. But for those looking for something deeper to takeaway, even if it’s a memorable character, will leave feeling shortchanged. This one felt a bit lazy, a little loose around the edges, despite the deliciousness of its premise and a cameo by Channing Tatum.