5 Best Theories About What Was Inside the Briefcase in Pulp Fiction, Ranked by Likelihood

by

Released in 1994, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction remains a highly acclaimed and influential film. Known for its darkly humorous take on crime, the movie is celebrated for its unique, non-chronological structure, striking visual style, and memorable, often eccentric, dialogue. Fans have analyzed every moment, from iconic speeches to seemingly minor scenes. However, no element of the film has sparked more debate and speculation than the contents of Marcellus Wallace’s mysterious briefcase.

As a movie fan, I remember being totally captivated when the characters finally opened that briefcase – their reactions were incredible, lit up by this golden glow. The funny thing is, we never actually get to see what’s inside! It could be something totally meaningless, just a plot device, or maybe it’s like a magical box that holds whatever each character secretly desires. But honestly, some of the fan theories out there are so convincing, it’s hard to ignore them. And knowing Tarantino, he probably did have a specific answer in mind, even if he’s kept it a secret all these years. So, let’s dive into the best guesses about what was actually in that briefcase.

5) Elvis Presley’s Golden Suit

An interesting idea connects the film Pulp Fiction to True Romance, another screenplay by Tarantino featuring Val Kilmer as the ghost of Elvis Presley. In True Romance, Elvis’ iconic gold suit takes on a legendary meaning. In Pulp Fiction, Jules mentions the briefcase holds “my boss’ dirty laundry.” While this is a common saying, if taken literally, it refers to clothes—leading some to believe it’s a reference to Elvis’ suit.

Fans who think the golden suit is something special have noticed Tim Roth’s character doesn’t react to it as just money. He seems stunned and respectful, like he’s seeing something legendary, not just valuable loot. Considering Elvis is often portrayed as a near-religious figure in Tarantino’s movies, a golden suit could easily be something people would truly revere. And, of course, the suit’s color connects to the idea of a golden, almost divine light.

The main issue is with the character Vincent. Given that John Travolta’s Vincent Vega is a huge Elvis fan, you’d think he’d have a strong reaction to seeing a significant Elvis artifact. However, he simply stares at it without much emotion. While it’s possible he’s still taking it in, his reaction doesn’t match what you’d expect from someone seeing something so important related to their idol.

4) Heroin

Many believe the briefcase contains valuable drugs. Several characters show signs of addiction when they interact with its contents. Brett and his associates seem to be running a drug operation, Pumpkin and Honey Bunny act like typical drug addicts, and Vincent is a heroin user who almost fatally overdoses Mia.

Characters describe the item as “beautiful,” a detail many viewers have pointed out echoes the way people struggling with addiction often talk about drugs. This glow could represent temptation and strong desire. Seen this way, the briefcase isn’t just about riches, but also about a path to ruin.

This explanation feels too simple for a director like Tarantino, who usually avoids being so direct. Plus, since we clearly see Vincent using drugs, it’s unlikely the contents of the briefcase are the same thing. Even if it was drugs, that wouldn’t explain the extreme care and almost religious respect Marcellus shows towards it. While heroin is valuable, it doesn’t quite match the mysterious importance the briefcase has in the movie.

3) Marcellus Wallace’s Soul

One popular theory about the mysterious briefcase in the film suggests it holds Marcellus Wallace’s soul. The combination ‘666,’ often associated with evil, leads some to believe Marcellus made a deal with the devil and lost his soul, tasking Jules and Vincent with getting it back. A Band-Aid on the back of his neck is seen by fans as the spot where his soul was taken – a reference to old stories. The glowing light inside the briefcase then suggests something otherworldly is at play.

This idea strongly aligns with the film’s central themes of forgiveness and a higher power at work. Jules’ journey from a killer to a calmer, more spiritual person, and his conviction that he experienced something miraculous, all make sense within this understanding. It’s a graceful interpretation that connects directly to the film’s religious elements.

The main issue is that some of the supporting evidence isn’t strong when examined closely. For example, there’s no real ancient story about souls being taken from the back of the neck. Also, Quentin Tarantino has explained that Ving Rhames accidentally cut himself while shaving his head, covered it with a bandage, and they decided to leave the bandage in the film because it looked visually striking. This doesn’t entirely disprove the theory, but it does make it less convincing.

2) God (Or Proof of God)

Building on the religious ideas, one intriguing theory suggests the briefcase contains God, or evidence of God. According to this idea, whoever has the briefcase is spiritually protected. Characters who treat it with respect, like Jules, survive, while those who lose it or dismiss its importance face negative consequences. Jules never opens the briefcase, but his faith is enough to save him, leading him to embrace a new, protective role. Similarly, Pumpkin and Honey Bunny are spared when they see it. In contrast, Marcellus experiences misfortune only after he loses possession of the case.

Vincent understands what’s happening around him, but doesn’t grasp the deeper significance. He scoffs at Jules’ newfound faith and the possibility of a higher power, and ultimately dies unexpectedly and without purpose. Mia almost loses her life after using drugs from Vincent. Butch, who’s only tangentially involved with the mysterious briefcase, manages to survive, but doesn’t receive any kind of divine protection. This concept seems complex, but it consistently applies to almost every character in the movie.

Several actors claim Quentin Tarantino told them the briefcase’s contents are left to the viewer’s imagination – and this actually strengthens a popular fan theory. The idea is that the contents are whatever each person believes them to be, much like a personal interpretation of ‘God.’ The film’s biblical references support this, and some fans even suggest the Bible itself, with its own share of violence, could be considered a type of ‘pulp fiction.’ While it’s a bold idea, it’s surprisingly convincing and doesn’t face much opposition.

1) Diamonds

The most sensible explanation for what’s in the briefcase is that it contains diamonds – specifically, the ones stolen in Reservoir Dogs. Some early versions of the Pulp Fiction script actually mentioned diamonds as the contents, and the glowing effect was added later for dramatic impact. Considering how Tarantino often connects details across his films, this theory makes a lot of sense.

In Reservoir Dogs, Mr. Blonde is revealed to be Vic Vega, Vincent’s brother. The initial idea was for Vic to hand the diamonds to Vincent, who would then give them to Marcellus Wallace. Quentin Tarantino intended to expand on this connection in a planned, but never made, film called Double V Vega. Knowing this, Vincent’s intense focus on the briefcase takes on a deeper meaning – he’s looking at the reason his brother was killed. The glowing light inside the briefcase can then be seen not as something magical, but as a visual representation of the temptation of wealth and the power of greed.

Tarantino likely avoided focusing on the contents of the briefcase because his film Reservoir Dogs already featured a similar plot involving stolen diamonds. He probably didn’t want to repeat the same idea so quickly, and keeping it ambiguous adds to the suspense. The director has only said the briefcase holds “the most valuable thing you can imagine.” Diamonds are incredibly expensive, easily transportable, and often illegally traded. However, whether Tarantino meant diamonds, something spiritual like the soul, or even God, depends on how you interpret “value” – and that uncertainty might be intentional.

What do you believe was in the briefcase? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/quentin-tarantino-movies-ranked/embed/#

Read More

2026-02-14 00:14