8 Problems With Pulp Fiction That Nobody Wants To Admit

4. The Rape Scene Is Really Odd

One of the most memorable moments in Pulp Fiction occurs when Butch and Marsellus Wallace find themselves tied up in the back room of a pawn shop by two hillbillies with horrific intentions. Whilst Butch manages to break free before any harm can be done to him, poor Marsellus ends up being graphically raped. Butch goes back to save Marsellus, despite the fact they're sworn enemies, because who could leave a man in that situation?

Whilst the scene itself is arguably one of the best and most gripping in the entire movie (especially when audiences realise that Butch is going to go back, and surveys the pawn shop to find the appropriate revenge weapon), there are a few inherent issues here.

Firstly, the scene feels out of place and clashes with the rest of the movie; though Pulp Fiction is packed to the brim with cursing and violence, this feels like a step too far. It's almost too much, and as a result it jars somewhat with the rest of the picture. Secondly, the hillbillies - Maynard and Zed - feel like little more than homophobic stereotypes. Then there's the Gimp, which is arguably the strangest part of the scene. Like, what the hell? Seriously?

No wonder Uma Thurman almost passed on the movie based on this scene. It's not bad, exactly, but it's certainly a weird moment with a lot of problematic elements at its core.