Quentin Tarantino’s movies all adhere to a very unique style of maximalist action and witty dialogue, resulting in a catalog of films that are endlessly rewatchable and entertaining. However, there are one or two movies in his filmography that aren’t as widely adored as the rest, one of which is Death Proof. This story about a murderous stuntman isn’t quite as memorable and boundary-pushing as the others he’s written, which is why it’s rarely considered among Quentin Tarantino’s best movies.

Tarantino’s more prestigious films (such as Pulp Fiction or Kill Bill) benefit from their subversive and innovative screenplays, which blend genres more seamlessly than most writers could manage. The way Tarantino writes action with elements of dark comedy and sentimental drama is seriously impressive, but that’s not always present in Death Proof. The film is an all-out horror that refuses to take itself seriously, and as a result, most audiences don’t either. However, Death Proof is a hugely underrated film that deserves more credit.

Death Proof Is Often Considered Quentin Tarantino’s Worst Movie, But I Secretly Love It

There’s Something Admirable About Its Stylistic Switch-Up

Although I can understand why Death Proof is considered Tarantino’s worst movie, my opinion of the project has only improved over the years. Those who go into the film expecting another dialogue-driven thriller like Reservoir Dogs or Pulp Fiction will undeniably struggle to connect with Tarantino’s different script, but those who appreciate that he’s trying something new and attempting to break away from his traditional “style” should be able to see the greatness of this film.

Kurt Russel’s lead performance is the beating heart of Death Proof, and while it’s a much sillier and less dramatic turn that audiences may be used to from him, it’s just as entertaining as his other roles. The film is essentially a satirical commentary on the excessive violence in ’90s action movies (including Tarantino’s previous works), and Tarantino shamelessly indulges in this stereotype in order to break it down. It may not be Kurt Russell’s best movie either, but it offers something very different from the actor that I’d never seen before.

Why Death Proof Doesn’t Get The Same Appreciation As Most Tarantino Movies

The Film Is Consistently Underrated Within Tarantino’s Filmography

There are many aspects of Death Proof that undeniably drag it down in most audiences’ rankings. The fact that it was marketed as a double bill with Robert Rodriguez’s Planet of Terror can’t have helped, as viewers are much less likely to commit themselves to over three hours of storytelling than a simple 90 minutes. The film’s content may have been uncomfortable to those who only watched for Tarantino’s involvement — there are distressing scenes in Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, but those who went into Death Proof simply looking for “the next Tarantino movie” would have been shocked.