Film director Quentin Tarantino hit back at actor Rosanna Arquette after she described his use of racial slurs in movies as “racist and creepy.”
During an interview with The Sunday Times published on Saturday, Arquette opened up about her role in Tarantino’s 1994 classic “Pulp Fiction.” She said the film is “iconic” and great “on a lot of levels,” but criticized the Oscar-winning filmmaker for his use of racial slurs.
“But personally ... I hate it,” she said. “I cannot stand that he has been given a hall pass. It’s not art, it’s just racist and creepy.”
Arquette played Jody, the wife of actor Eric Stoltz’s drug dealer character, Lance.
In a letter obtained by Variety on Monday, Tarantino called out Arquette for bashing his film.
“I hope the publicity you’re getting from 132 different media outlets writing your name and printing your picture was worth disrespecting me and a film I remember quite clearly you were thrilled to be a part of? Do you feel this way now? Very possibly,” he wrote.
“But after I gave you a job, and you took the money, to trash it for what I suspect is very cynical reasons, shows a decided lack of class, no less honor,” he said.
He added: “There is supposed to be an esprit de corps between artistic colleagues. But it would appear the objective was accomplished. Congratulations.”
Arquette did not immediately return a request for comment Tuesday on Tarantino’s letter.
This isn't the first time the Academy Award-winning filmmaker has been criticized for using slurs in films. In a 2022 interview, Tarantino dismissed the backlash.
“Then see something else,” he said. “If you have a problem with my movies, there’s other movies to go see. Apparently, I’m not making them for you.”
