Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Quentin Tarantino shares controversial verdict on ‘soap opera’ Yellowstone

Award-winning filmmaker praised the hit Western series, but argued that at the end of the day it’s ‘just a soap opera’

Inga Parkel
in New York
Friday 13 December 2024 02:28 GMT
Comments
Taylor Sheridan - Yellowstone

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Filmmaking legend Quentin Tarantino has controversially labeled Taylor Sheridan’s hit Western series Yellowstone “a soap opera.”

The Kill Bill director, 61, made the observation during a recent appearance on the popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast while speaking about the current state of television.

“Everyone talks about how great television is now. And it’s pretty good, I gotta say,” Tarantino said. “But it’s still television to me. What’s the difference between television and a good movie? Because a lot of TV now has the patina of a movie. They’re using cinematic language to get you caught up in it.”

The Oscar-winning director used Sheridan’s five-season drama as an example of how television will never be as effective as movies.

“I didn’t really get around to watching Yellowstone the first three years or so. Then I watch the first season and I’m like ‘Wow, this is f***ing great!’ I’ve always been a big Kevin Costner fan, he’s f***ing wonderful in this.’ And I get really caught up in the show, I’m having a great time watching. And the first season, I’m kind of talking like, ‘Oh, this is like a big movie,’” he said.

“While I’m watching it, I’m compelled. But at the end of the day it’s just a soap opera,” Tarantino explained, sharing how he felt there was no climax — instead, in theory, storylines could go on and on.

“They introduce you to a bunch of characters, you learn their backstories, you know everybody’s connection with everyone else… and then everything else is just your connection to the soap opera,” he continued.

Quentin Tarantino argued that TV will never be as effective as movies
Quentin Tarantino argued that TV will never be as effective as movies (Getty Images / Paramount Network)

“I’ll see a good Western movie and I’ll remember it the rest of my life. I’ll remember the story, I’ll remember this scene or that scene. It built to an emotional climax of some degree,” he said.

“There’s a payoff to it. But there’s not a payoff on this stuff,” Tarantino argued. “There’s just more interconnectional drama. And while I’m watching it, that’s good enough. But when it’s over… I don’t remember any of the details of it.”

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

While the Inglourious Basterds helmer is best known for his long list of acclaimed movies, he has, in fact, directed a handful of TV episodes, including a single 1995 installment of ER and two 2005 episodes of CSI: Criminal Scene Investigation.

Tarantino was also working on his debut TV series Bounty Law, which would be an expansion of his Once Upon a Time in Hollywood... universe. However, in 2021, he confirmed that the pandemic had delayed the production and admitted he didn’t know what would come of the project.

“I have those episodes written,” he told Deadline at the time. “Sony, with Tom Rothman said, ‘We’ll make that show if you want to do it.’ It will probably be in a couple years from now, so we’ll see.”

The series is based on Jake Cahill, the movie role played by Leonardo DiCaprio’s character Rick Dalton in the 2019 Oscar-nominated Once Upon a Time in Hollywood...

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in