Director Quentin Tarantino responded publicly after actress Rosanna Arquette criticized his use of the N-word in his films, including her minor role in Pulp Fiction.

Arquette told The Sunday Times on March 7 that she was appalled by the repeated use of the racial slur during the making of the 1994 cult classic. “Personally, I am over the use of the N-word; I hate it,” she said. She added that while Pulp Fiction was “a great film on a lot of levels,” she found the language in the film unacceptable.

Tarantino fired back in a letter to Arquette, shared with the press. “I hope the publicity you’re getting from 132 different media outlets writing your name and printing your picture was worth disrespecting me and a film I remember quite clearly you were thrilled to be a part of,” he wrote. He continued, “But after I gave you a job, and you took the money, to trash it for what I suspect are very cynical reasons, shows a decided lack of class, no less honor.”

Arquette, who played Jody, the wife of Eric Stoltz’s drug dealer Lance, is not the first to voice concerns about Tarantino’s language. Pulp Fiction reportedly uses the N-word approximately 20 times, while Django Unchained features it roughly 110 times, according to Variety.

Other actors, including Jamie Foxx and Samuel L. Jackson, have defended Tarantino’s use of the term, arguing that it reflects the authenticity of the characters and settings. Jackson addressed the controversy in 2022, saying, “Every time someone wants an example of overuse of the N-word, they go to Quentin, it’s unfair. He’s just telling the story, and the characters do talk like that.”

Their back-and-forth highlights the unresolved conflict between the filmmaker’s creative intentions and Arquette’s criticism of his choices.