Rosanna Arquette, 66, Accuses Quentin Tarantino of Using Racist Language in Films

Rosanna Arquette is speaking out about Quentin Tarantino’s use of racial slurs in his films, saying she can no longer ignore it. In an interview with The Sunday Times, the 66-year-old actress reflected on her career and her experience working with the director, including their 1994 hit, Pulp Fiction.

“It’s iconic, a great film on a lot of levels,” she said about Pulp Fiction, where she played Jody, the tattooed wife of a drug dealer. But she made it clear she has no patience for Tarantino’s repeated use of the N-word.

“But personally, I am over the use of the N-word — I hate it. I cannot stand that Tarantino has been given a hall pass. It’s not art, it’s just racist and creepy.” Tarantino has long sparked debate for his frequent use of racial slurs.

Django Unchained, his 2012 Western about a Black man seeking revenge during slavery, uses the word around 110 times. His 2015 film The Hateful Eight includes it roughly 47 times. Supporters, like Samuel L. Jackson, argue that the language reflects the reality of the time periods he depicts.

Jackson said in the 2019 documentary QT8: The First Eight, “There’s no dishonesty in anything that Tarantino writes or how people talk, feel, or speak in his movies.” Arquette also brought up her own struggles in Hollywood. She revealed she never received back-end profits from Pulp Fiction.

“I’m the only person who didn’t get a back end. Everybody made money except me,” she said, blaming producer Harvey Weinstein for the oversight. Outside of her commentary on Tarantino, Arquette remains active in the industry.

She recently appeared in the mockumentary The Moment, a satirical look at pop stardom starring Charli XCX, and attended the Los Angeles screening of Vertical Entertainment’s Dracula in February.

Tarantino, meanwhile, continues to be one of Hollywood’s most famous directors, known for his distinctive style and violent, sometimes divisive storytelling. His films often feature A-list stars such as Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Uma Thurman.

While fans and critics speculate about his next project, the debate over his use of racial language shows no signs of slowing down. Arquette continues to take on new creative work while speaking openly about the issues she finds truly troubling in the film industry.

What do you think of this situation? Is Tarantino’s use of such words truly excessive and not needed? Share your thoughts in the comments.