Death Proof

On a neon drenched night in Austin, Jungle Julia, a fearless club DJ, heads out with her friends Shanna and Arlene to unwind after a hard week. Unbeknownst to them, a scarred stunt driver named Stuntman Mike has been shadowing their every move, watching from behind the wheel as if rehearsing a ritual. Mike treats the night like a test drive, weaving into their plans with a confident smile and a seemingly friendly ride. What begins as a casual outing soon hints at something darker, as the driver reveals a predatory edge behind his polished exterior, chasing a thrill that crosses clear boundaries and puts the group in jeopardy. The program also shifts into a second, distinct tone.

Released in 2007 as part of the Grindhouse double feature, Death Proof was directed by Quentin Tarantino. It began as an original screenplay and a modern tribute to 1970s stunt cinema, with Tarantino's signature dialogue.

Box office: Death Proof grossed about 31.1 million worldwide on a 25 million budget, marking a modest performer in Tarantino's catalog and the Grindhouse project.

As part of the Grindhouse project, Death Proof helped define a retro aesthetic based on practical effects, long takes, and homage to drive-in cinema. Fans remember the car sequence and the era specific dialogue as a distinct Tarantino signature. Its celebration of practical effects and real stunts contrasts with CGI heavy blockbusters, earning praise from genre fans and inspiring later directors to experiment with the grindhouse format.

Reception was mixed with critics noting Tarantino's bold style and the film's energetic action while some found the pacing and violence excessive. Thematically, it ponders control and risk within a glamorous surface, highlighting brave performances from its female leads. Critics singled out Kurt Russell's menacing charm and Zoë Bell's action persona, while the movie's flirtation with meta cinema polarized audiences.