Quentin Tarantino Regrets This Film & Wishes It Had Never Been Made

Quentin Tarantino has openly admitted that he wishes Natural Born Killers had never been made. The 1994 film, directed by Oliver Stone and starring Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis, is based on a script originally written by Tarantino.

The story follows Mickey and Mallory, two lovers who become mass murderers, and critiques how the media glorifies violence. However, Tarantino was unhappy with how the film turned out.

In a 1994 interview with The LA Times, Tarantino explained, “I didn’t want to go head to head with Natural Born Killers, because I didn’t want the two films compared.” He was particularly frustrated with Stone’s approach to his script, which he felt lacked subtlety.

“Oliver basically took my script very seriously, which, as dark as it was, was also pretty playful. I like audiences to make up their own minds, but Oliver Stone has to get the big idea across, and if one person doesn’t get it, he thinks he’s failed.” Tarantino concluded, “I would rather the film never got made and that my script remained pure.”

Despite disowning the film, Tarantino eventually tried to publish his original screenplay. The move was initially blocked by the rights holders, who argued he forfeited publishing rights when selling the script.

Eventually, he was allowed to release it, giving fans a chance to see the story as he originally intended. Tarantino has said, “I hated that f**** movie. If you like my stuff, don’t watch that movie.” He has also admitted he has never seen the film all the way through.

Natural Born Killers was a commercial success, earning $110 million at the box office against a $34 million budget. It also became infamous for its violent content and was labeled the eighth most controversial film in history by Entertainment Weekly in 2006. Critics were divided, with some praising its performances, story, and blend of romance, action, and dark humor, while others criticized it for excessive violence and muddled satire.

Janet Maslin of The New York Times wrote that the film “never digs deep enough to touch the madness of such events, or even to send them up in any surprising way. Mr. Stone’s vision is impassioned, alarming, visually inventive, characteristically overpowering. But it’s no match for the awful truth.”

Similarly, Hal Hinson of The Washington Post felt the film lost focus in its prison sequences and failed to deliver the intended social critique. James Berardinelli, while acknowledging the satire of America’s fascination with violence, felt Stone repeated the point so often it became unbearable.

The movie also stirred controversy for other reasons, including backlash from Native American groups over casting choices. Despite this, the lead characters have been recognized in rankings of iconic film psychopaths by GamesRadar+ and the movie continues to be studied for its influence on the depiction of media and violence in cinema.

Tarantino’s experience with Natural Born Killers highlights the tension that can occur when a director’s vision is altered by another filmmaker. It remains one of the rare projects the celebrated director publicly disowns, reinforcing his reputation for protecting the integrity of his own storytelling.

In my opinion, Tarantino’s frustration is understandable. His original script had a dark playfulness that seems lost in Stone’s version. While Natural Born Killers has its fans and cultural impact, it’s clear that the film does not reflect Tarantino’s creative intent. What do you think about Tarantino disowning the film? Do you agree or disagree with him? Share your thoughts in the comments.