Quentin Tarantino Reveals the Slasher Film He Loves Most

Quentin Tarantino has revealed the slasher movie that stands out as his all-time favorite. Speaking in a 2006 interview, the legendary filmmaker said he has always been a fan of late-70s and early-80s slasher films.

“The genre I wanted to tackle was slasher films, because I’m a big fan of late-70s, early-80s slasher films,” he told the interviewer. “The only thing was, what makes them so good is the genre is so rigid.”

Tarantino mentioned classics like Halloween among his favorites but singled out one film as his top pick. “I love Halloween and all those,” he said. “But as time’s gone on, I think My Bloody Valentine may be my favourite.”

My Bloody Valentine is a 1981 Canadian slasher directed by George Mihalka and written by John Beaird. It tells the story of a group of young adults who throw a Valentine’s Day party, only to face a vengeful killer wearing mining gear.

Filmed in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, in 1980, it was released in Canada on February 13, 1981. Though it earned a modest $5.7 million at the box office and received mixed reviews, the film has developed a devoted cult following over the years.

The movie faced heavy censorship in the United States, with nine minutes of violent footage removed by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Despite this, the uncut footage still exists, and in 2009 Lionsgate released a home media edition with three minutes of restored scenes. That same year, a remake of My Bloody Valentine was released.

Critical reception of the original film was mixed. Bruce Bailey of the Montreal Gazette criticized the script as awkward, noting, “All that’s really notable about My Bloody Valentine is that it gives you more than the usual m.p.g.p.—murders per gallon of popcorn.”

Tom Buckley of The New York Times echoed this view, writing, “My Bloody Valentine probably won’t make you shiver with fright, but it’s almost certain to make you squirm, first with irritation and then with revulsion.”

Conversely, Jack Mathews of the Detroit Free Press praised the film’s gore, stating, “There’s nothing subtle about My Bloody Valentine. A pickax to the belly, a 10-penny nail through the forehead, a granite drill through the back.”

Others noted the Canadian Film Development Corporation’s involvement in financing the film, which sparked some controversy.

John Dodd of the Edmonton Journal criticized the funding, claiming it supported “greedy, talentless producers make a killing.” Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune also gave the film one out of four stars, calling it a “dismal and depressing horror film.”

However, some praised aspects of the movie, particularly its cinematography. Dan Scapperotti of Cinefantastique wrote that the mine setting was used effectively, describing it as “beautifully photographed, and the utilization of the mine creates powerful imagery.”

Richard Zoglin of The Atlanta Constitution noted that, compared with other slasher films of the time, it was restrained in its depiction of violence.

For Tarantino, the mix of rigid slasher conventions and moments of creativity is what makes My Bloody Valentine memorable. The film may not have been universally loved, but it remains an iconic part of the slasher genre and holds a special place in one of Hollywood’s most influential directors’ hearts.

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