Quentin Tarantino Calls Yellowstone a Forgettable Soap Opera in Shocking Critique

Quentin Tarantino, best known for his films like “Pulp Fiction,” is quite open about his preferences when it comes to movies and TV shows. He has strong opinions, and his critique of the popular neo-Western series “Yellowstone” was particularly sharp. Interestingly, despite being a movie director, Tarantino also holds a deep affection for television, having directed episodes of “CSI.” His views on various shows can be unexpected, such as his fondness for “How I Met Your Mother,” but finding the first episode of “True Detective” so “dull” that he didn’t complete it.

A popular series that few find dull is Taylor Sheridan’s “Yellowstone,” which revolves around the ruthless Dutton family and their Montana ranch. Over five seasons, the Duttons have devised schemes, betrayed one another, and even resorted to violence to protect their land from those who covet it. The explosive finale of “Yellowstone” aired in December 2024. The show gained such a following that an entire “Yellowstone” universe was born, with two prequel series and at least three sequel spinoffs planned. However, one person who probably won’t be tuning into future “Yellowstone” shows is Quentin Tarantino.

Quentin Tarantino Dismissed Yellowstone As A “Soap Opera”

He Ultimately Finds The Series Forgettable

Just as the finale of “Yellowstone” was about to broadcast, Quentin Tarantino made a special appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. During their conversation, the topic of the popular Western series was brought up. Initially, Tarantino expressed praise for Yellowstone, particularly lauding season 1 and the writing of Taylor Sheridan. As reported by Variety, he stated:

This way, we maintain the original meaning while making it more conversational and easy to read.

I didn’t manage to watch the series for the first three years or so, but then I finally started with the first season and was genuinely impressed, thinking ‘Wow, this is fantastic.’ Being a long-time fan of Kevin Costner, he delivers an exceptional performance in it. I became hooked on the show and am really enjoying it. The first season feels like a standalone movie. The writer does a great job, with engaging monologues and more. Intrigued, I ended up watching three seasons of it and even gave ‘1883,’ a Western series, a try. It’s well-made.

Tarantino initially praised Yellowstone, even going so far as to watch its prequel, 1883. Yet, in the end, he deemed it unmemorable. He criticized the series for its tendency towards soap opera-like storytelling.

…You find yourself deeply immersed and unable to step away, but when all is said and done, it’s just like watching a daytime drama. They’ve filled you in on numerous characters, their histories, and their connections to one another…but five years from now, those details will likely fade from your memory. You’re simply captivated by the small details in the present.

What sets this apart is that I’ll watch a top-notch Western film, and it will stick with me forever. It won’t just be the relationships between characters that I recall; instead, I’ll remember specific scenes, the narrative as a whole, and the emotional peak it reaches. The story itself is compelling and not solely focused on character interactions. There’s a satisfying resolution, something that’s often missing from TV shows. While I’m watching, it’s engaging enough, but afterwards, I might struggle to recount the details of what happened.

Following the distinctive style of Quentin Tarantino, he pointed out a television series that shared intense cinematic emotionality with his films, and that was “Homeland,” particularly season 1. In this series, Claire Danes portrayed Carrie Mathison, a CIA officer concealing her bipolar disorder, and it spanned seven seasons on Showtime, from 2011 to 2020.

John Dutton Actor Kevin Costner Echoed Tarantino’s Comments But In A Loving Way

He Joked About The Fate The Duttons Deserved

As a dedicated movie critic, I must confess that Kevin Costner’s abrupt exit from the hit show “Yellowstone” stirred quite a buzz before the series finale. This unexpected move led to the tragic demise of his iconic character, John Dutton, the family patriarch, causing a premature end to his storyline. Despite any off-screen disagreements he might have had with Taylor Sheridan and the team, Costner has never failed to extol the virtues of Yellowstone and its outstanding production.

In a recent chat with ET, Kevin Costner openly expressed his views on the finale of Yellowstone, and at the same time, pointed out what he believes the show did exceptionally well. He stated, (in your own words)

“During a recent conversation with ET, Kevin Costner freely discussed his thoughts about the Yellowstone series’ ending, while also highlighting the aspects where he feels the show truly shone.

Indeed, the portrayal in Yellowstone is reminiscent of contemporary ranch life, but it carries an element of drama, much like a popular TV soap opera. It seems to some that all parties involved should be serving time behind bars.

It’s intriguing how Costner mirrored Tarantino’s viewpoint that Yellowstone resembles a soap opera, yet he appears to be referring to the factors that initially captivated viewers and sustained our interest throughout five seasons. The actor portraying John Dutton is spot-on when he suggests that the primary characters should be jailed for the numerous crimes they’ve committed, but let’s face it, that’s exactly what makes the show exciting.

If Yellowstone focused solely on the authenticity of contemporary ranching, it likely wouldn’t have gained as much popularity. However, the series’ compelling storylines allow viewers to experience an authentic portrayal of cowboy life, along with the Dutton family’s frequent visits to the train station.

We’ll Certainly Remember The Duttons “Five Years From Now”

Their Family Saga Is What Made Yellowstone So Compelling

Although I hold great respect for Quentin Tarantino as a director and appreciate all his films, particularly his affinity for the Western genre may influence him to be critical of Yellowstone. From his remarks, it appears he evaluates TV shows by comparing them to movies, yet they are distinct forms of storytelling, so this standard for what constitutes a good show might not be entirely impartial. Despite Yellowstone being fundamentally different from the traditional Westerns that Tarantino cherishes, it doesn’t diminish its value as a high-quality TV series in its own right.

Regarding what might make something stand out or be vividly remembered “in five years time“, that’s largely a matter of personal preference. For instance, Yellowstone premiered in 2018, and certain scenes from its early seasons are still etched in my memory, such as Beth helping Monica at the boutique and the entire Beck brothers saga. These moments, often melodramatic in nature, have left an indelible mark on me.

Regarding the Beck brothers, they are standout villains in Taylor Sheridan’s shows, but Quentin Tarantino finds them unmemorable. In an interview, he stated that he recalls Danny Huston as the season 1 antagonist because of his admiration for the actor, however, “I can’t recall the villains from seasons 2 or 3. They’re out of my mind, completely forgotten.” It’s acceptable that Tarantino doesn’t share the same enthusiasm for Yellowstone as its fanbase does. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to his tenth film — although perhaps not as eagerly as for the Beth and Rip spinoff.

2025-05-24 04:22