Quentin Tarantino recently shared his unconventional reaction to Mel Gibson’s controversial film, The Passion of the Christ, during an appearance on the Bret Easton Ellis Podcast. The director, known for his unique perspectives on violence in cinema, recalled being captivated by the intense brutality depicted in the film, particularly during the scenes where Jesus is tortured by Roman soldiers.
Tarantino vividly described the moment when he watched Jesus being whipped, expressing a surprising emotional shift as the violence escalated on screen. “You feel every f***ing blow,” he recounted, admitting that, at one point, he found himself imagining the perspective of the Roman soldiers rather than that of Jesus. He noted, “By the sixth blow, I traded places. And I started getting kind of turned on by the beating.” This unexpected revelation left Ellis responding, “I react to violence I think differently than you do.”
Despite the graphic nature of the film, Tarantino described his viewing experience as “extremely enjoyable,” commending Gibson’s directing skills while acknowledging that his own reaction might seem bizarre to others. He recounted telling Gibson about his response, to which the director appeared puzzled, indicating a divide in their perceptions of extreme violence.
As Tarantino reflects on his unique experience with The Passion of the Christ, attention also turns to Gibson’s upcoming sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ. This highly anticipated film, set to be released in two parts, will begin with Part One on March 26, 2027, coinciding with Good Friday, followed by Part Two on May 6, 2027. Originally featuring Jim Caviezel as Jesus, the role has been recast to Jaakko Ohtonen, with Mariela Garriga playing Mary Magdalene. It will be interesting to see how Tarantino will react to this sequel, further exploring the relationship between cinematic violence and audience perception.