Alfred Hitchcock changed the way suspense and psychological tension work in cinema. His films like ‘Rear Window,’ ‘Vertigo‘ and ‘Psycho‘ shaped almost every mystery and thriller that came after. It’s no surprise, then, that today’s top directors have strong opinions about him.
But Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino could not be more different in how they see Hitchcock. One treats him as a master to learn from, while the other openly questions his reputation. So, what’s their reason behind it?
Christopher Nolan Has Deep Admiration For Master Of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock
Christopher Nolan has always spoken highly of Hitchcock’s influence. Films like ‘Memento‘ and ‘The Prestige‘ reflect Hitchcock’s interest in psychological unraveling, secrets and inner conflict. Even though Nolan is known for playing with time and structure, he recognizes that Hitchcock experimented with similar techniques long before, especially in Rope.
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In a 2017 NPR interview, Nolan explained that he believes Hitchcock mastered. He admired how Hitchcock made audiences care simply through a character’s physical goal, without needing a heavy heart. Nolan also appreciates Hitchcock’s lighter side. The ace filmmaker pointed out that Hitchcock wasn’t only about fear; he also included humour, glamor and joy, which people often forget.
Quentin Tarantino’s Open Criticism Of Hitchcock’s Legacy
Quentin Tarantino, on the other hand, takes a far more critical view. While he admits Hitchcock was “one of the greatest directors who ever lived,” he clearly says he is “not a Hitchcock guy.” On Tom Segura’s YMH podcast, Tarantino argued that many Hitchcock films “peter out” in the third act. Tarantino believes that if Hitchcock’s 1950s films had been made in the 1970s, he might appreciate them more, but he feels Hitchcock was “held back by the times” and limited by the Hays Code.
Tarantino went further and criticised some of Hitchcock’s most famous films even. He said he doesn’t understand the admiration for ‘Vertigo‘ and ‘North by Northwest,’ calling them “mediocre” compared to other films of that era. He was even harsher about Hitchcock’s late-career work, calling ‘Frenzy‘ “a piece of trash.”
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Despite their different opinions, Hitchcock’s influence appears in both directors’ work just in very different ways. For Nolan, films like ‘Inception‘ and ‘The Dark Knight‘ trilogy rely on visual suspense, psychological tension and audience perspective, all rooted in Hitchcock’s approach to cinema. For Tarantino, the influence is more subtle.
Instead of copying Hitchcock’s camera style, he builds suspense through long, tense conversations. Tarantino also shares Hitchcock’s interest in moral ambiguity, where the viewers sympathise with dangerous or criminal characters; even if he personally doesn’t enjoy Hitchcock’s films.
So, no matter how different their opinions are, both directors remain touched by Hitchcock’s legacy. Even when they move in opposite directions, they are still walking through the same shadow he left behind.
