The Horror Movie Tarantino Can’t Stop Praising as Absolutely Killer

Quentin Tarantino is famously protective of the cinematic experience, especially when it comes to the analog format of 35mm film. As the owner of Los Angeles’ New Beverly Cinema, he curates schedules that celebrate the history of the medium, often highlighting horror classics during the month of October.

One of the standout moments in the theater’s history involved a rare screening of William Friedkin’s 1973 masterpiece, The Exorcist, a film that explores the terrifying demonic possession of a young girl and the grueling battle to save her. Securing a film print of the supernatural classic proved to be a significant challenge, as the late William Friedkin was notoriously strict about the way his work was presented.

Tarantino revealed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that Friedkin generally prohibited the use of film prints, preferring the Digital Cinema Package (DCP) format for modern screenings. However, since the New Beverly is strictly a non-digital house, Tarantino decided to reach out to the director personally to ask for a special exception to show a gorgeous 35mm print he had acquired.

The personal appeal worked, and Friedkin granted Warner Bros. the necessary permission for the limited run. Tarantino described the resulting experience as mesmerizing and killer, admitting that seeing the film on the big screen twice in one month reminded him of its immense power.

While the screening was a triumph, it also brought a moment of professional humility for Tarantino, who confessed that he would never be able to replicate the sober tone and one-note atmosphere that Friedkin achieved, noting that trying to do so would feel like he was working at half speed.

As of February, Tarantino is staying true to his promise of staying busy even as he contemplates his final directorial effort. He is currently receiving significant buzz for his return to a major acting role in the drama Only What We Carry, which is set to premiere at upcoming film festivals.

Directed by Jamie Adams and starring Simon Pegg and Sofia Boutella, the film features Tarantino as a publisher in Normandy, marking his most substantial on-screen performance in three decades.

On the writing front, Tarantino’s presence is felt in the upcoming Netflix original The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a sequel to his 2019 hit Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. While David Fincher has taken the directing role for this $200 million period piece, Tarantino penned the script, which follows Brad Pitt’s iconic stuntman as a studio fixer in the late 1970s.

The film recently made waves with a surprise teaser during the Super Bowl and is expected to hit theaters and streaming later this year with an ensemble cast including Elizabeth Debicki and Timothy Olyphant.

Meanwhile, the New Beverly Cinema continues to thrive under his leadership. Tarantino has also been expanding his reach into other media, recently collaborating on a Kill Bill cinematic for the platform Fortnite and preparing for the digital release of Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair on February 17.

While fans wait for news on his tenth and final film, Tarantino remains a central figure in the cultural conversation, bridging the gap between digital innovation and his beloved 35mm roots.

Do you think Quentin Tarantino’s decision to let David Fincher direct The Adventures of Cliff Booth allows for a fresh perspective on his character? Share your thoughts in the comments.