Quentin Tarantino has no issue making his opinions about other famous directors films known, even if they go against the grain of public opinion. A staple of cinema in both prestige circles and among casual audiences, Tarantino’s films bring a sense of over-the-top stylized violence and endearingly lifelike dialogue that keeps his movies from ever being stale.

Thanks to his own status in the film industry, Tarantino has used his voice to level criticism and praise at all sorts of different movies, from the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to Disney Pixar offerings like Toy Story 4. But it’s not just modern box office darlings that come into his crosshairs, with even directors as beloved as Alfred Hitchcock not escaping his ire.

Often known as the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock’s films paved the way for many genres today, including psychological thrillers, slashers, and disastrous mystery dramas. Many of his films are some of the most important and influential of all time, from Psycho to Vertigo to Strangers on a Train.

But that hasn’t stopped Quentin Tarantino from weighing in on what he feels are overrated films. In particular, Tarantino has expressed disdain for the later films in Hitchcock’s catalog, possibly influencing his decision stop releasing films after a “canonical ten”, including the two-parter Kill Bill duology as a single film.

Quentin Tarantino Was Highly Critical Of Several Celebrated Hitchcock Films

Tarantino Isn’t Afraid To Be Contrarian

In an interview with The New York Times, Tarantino made his disdain clear for several beloved Hitchcock films, including North by Northwest and Vertigo, a shocking statement from such a celebrated auteur. As thrillers, Tarantino claims that neither film is particularly exciting, and doesn’t understand their popularity, noting them as “mediocre” compared to other films of the period.

Speaking of the time period, one element of Hitchcock’s films from the ’50s Tarantino somewhat excuses the director were the restrictive Hayes Codes. These formalized movie-making guidelines greatly restricted the kinds of imagery and stories filmmakers of the ’50s could tell, limiting Hitchcock’s sensibilities in Tarantino’s view.

Quentin Tarantino Really Disliked Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy Movie

Disagreeing That It Was Hitchcock’s Return To Form

However, Tarantino’s most contrarian take yet may be his dislike of one of Hitchcock’s most critically beloved films, Frenzy. The second-to-last movie in Hitchcock’s career, often seen as a return to form for the director after a string of underwhelming disappointments, the movie centers on a serial killer on the loose in London.

Tarantino goes as far as to call Frenzy “a piece of crap“, in his typical crᴀss fashion. Frenzy‘s lack of appeal in Quentin Tarantino‘s eyes may be a big influence on the director’s decision to retire after 10 movies, not wishing to allow his filmography to reach the same percieved lows with old age.