Quentin Tarantino Once Choked Two Actors on Set and Here Is Why

Quentin Tarantino is widely recognized for his stylized violence and sharp dialogue, but some of his behind-the-scenes methods have sparked intense debate over the years. Beyond the well-known story of “Big Jerry,” a legendary prop used to playfully discipline anyone caught napping on set.

The director has engaged in far more visceral interactions with his cast. Several reports suggest that the filmmaker has personally stepped in to perform physically taxing actions on his actors, sometimes involving real-life suffocation.

One of the most notable instances occurred during the production of the 2008 war film Inglourious Basterds with actress Diane Kruger. In a pivotal scene where her character is strangled, it was actually the director’s own hands that were filmed in the close-up shot. Kruger later reflected on the experience, noting that while it was a very strange sensation to be choked by her own director, she viewed the day as an interesting day at the office.

Tarantino’s reasoning for taking over the scene himself was rooted in his desire for absolute cinematic precision. He reportedly told Kruger that a fellow actor might not get the pressure right, potentially providing either too much or too little force. By doing it himself, he believed he could achieve the exact visual effect he needed for the film. Kruger seemingly had no issue with the unorthodox approach, despite how unsettling it might appear to outside observers.

This was not an isolated event in the director’s filmography, as a similar situation occurred with his long-time muse, Uma Thurman. While filming Kill Bill, Tarantino also placed his hands around Thurman’s throat to simulate a struggle. Interestingly, the director claimed that this was actually Thurman’s own idea to ensure the scene looked authentic. He explained that they had discussed using props like a chain and a pole, but Thurman insisted on the real thing to get her face to turn red and produce genuine tears.

The physical nature of their collaboration didn’t stop at strangulation; Tarantino also personally spat in Thurman’s face during a different sequence in the same movie. He opted to do this himself rather than have the actor Michael Madsen perform the action, further highlighting his hands-on, and often controversial, style.

While the relationship between the director and Thurman faced significant strain following a separate car stunt gone wrong, she has joined Kruger in defending his artistic intentions. Both women have clarified that they were never coerced and were willing participants in these intense creative choices.

As of this year, Quentin Tarantino remains a central figure in Hollywood conversations, though he has recently shifted his focus away from the director’s chair. After scrapping his long-gestating project, The Movie Critic, because he was not really that excited about the final script, he has turned his attention to writing. He is currently serving as a screenwriter and producer for The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a spin-off of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt.

Tarantino has also been making headlines for his candid—and often polarizing—opinions on modern cinema. He recently sparked a massive industry backlash after calling Paul Dano the weakest f***** actor in SAG during a podcast appearance.

Do you believe a director should ever get physically involved in a scene to achieve “realism,” or does this cross a professional boundary? Share your thoughts in the comments.