Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Extreme violence, language in Tarantino's clever western.
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The Hateful Eight
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 24 parent reviews
Parents say the film is a visually stunning and artistically brilliant work, but it is filled with extreme violence, strong language, and disturbing themes that make it unsuitable for younger audiences. While some appreciate the character-driven narrative and cinematography, many others criticize it for its pacing, excessive brutality, and grotesque scenes, urging that it is decidedly not for children or sensitive viewers.
- violence and language
- disturbing themes
- slow pacing
- artistically brilliant
- not for children
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 35 kid reviews
Kids say this movie combines intense graphic violence with a slow-paced narrative that may be challenging for viewers not accustomed to Tarantino's style. It explores themes of racism and features an engaging plot with well-developed characters, but the frequent use of strong language and disturbing scenes make it unsuitable for younger audiences.
- graphic violence
- strong language
- engaging plot
- character development
- not for kids
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Bounty hunter John Ruth (Kurt Russell) transports his prisoner, Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh), via stagecoach to Red Rock, just ahead of a brutal snowstorm. Along the way, they encounter two stranded travelers: fellow bounty hunter Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson) and the soon-to-be-appointed sheriff of Red Rock, Chris Mannix (Walton Goggins). When the storm overtakes them, the group shelters in Minnie's Haberdashery, where four more strangers await. Some of them seem to have a mysterious, perhaps deadly agenda, and not everyone is telling the truth. When one of them poisons the coffee, things take a turn for the worse, and a showdown is imminent.
Is It Any Good?
Tarantino's eighth movie is long, moving inevitably toward an expected, brutally violent climax -- but along the way the colorful characters and playful dialogue provide a twisted good time. The one-room pressure-cooker setting, plus the presence of Michael Madsen and Tim Roth, may remind viewers of Reservoir Dogs, which can be both good and bad. That film's clever, sinister structure left audiences wanting more, whereas the lengthy, bonkers THE HATEFUL EIGHT gives up everything (and the kitchen sink).
Which isn't to say that it's not a lot of fun; it has surprises up its sleeve, and, as simple as the premise/set-up all seems, the characters' motivations are often deliberately deceptive. Long dialogue sequences exist for the sheer joy of their sound and rhythm but are also sometimes used as sleight-of-hand. Tarantino also uses music (by Ennio Morricone) and silence to brilliant effect; that, plus the infectious character performances makes this truly killer entertainment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Hateful Eight's extreme violence. What effect does it have? Is it exciting? Gruesome? Do different types of violence have a different impact on viewers?
Why do you think the movie has such a pervasive use of the "N" word? What effect does hearing it so often have? Do you think Tarantino is trying to say something by having the characters use it so much?
Are any of these characters likable? How can such despicable people be interesting? How do they compare to characters in other Tarantino movies?
What's the appeal of the Western genre? Why do you think it's less popular today than it once was? Could it make a comeback?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 25, 2015
- On DVD or streaming : March 29, 2016
- Cast : Kurt Russell , Samuel L. Jackson , Jennifer Jason Leigh
- Director : Quentin Tarantino
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : The Weinstein Company
- Genre : Western
- Run time : 182 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong bloody violence, a scene of violent sexual content, language and some graphic nudity
- Award : Academy Award
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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