Death Proof (2007)
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A deranged stuntman uses his 'death-proof' car to stalk and murder young women.
The story
In a gritty homage to exploitation cinema, a deranged stuntman named 'Stuntman' Mike stalks and targets young women using a vehicle he claims is 'death-proof.' The film follows several groups of women who find themselves in his crosshairs. In the first segment, three friends and a woman seeking a ride are targeted in Texas. The narrative then shifts to a group of women on a film break in Tennessee who encounter a dangerous situation involving a vintage car. The film explores the tension of the hunt as the women navigate the dangers of Mike's high-speed, violent games.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film begins with three friends—Arlene, Shanna, and 'Jungle' Julia—in Austin, Texas. After Julia performs a radio stunt, Stuntman Mike, a veteran stuntman, intervenes and claims a lap dance from Arlene. He then targets Pam, who accepts a ride in his 'death-proof' car; he kills her and then rams the women's car, killing them. Fourteen months later, the story shifts to Lebanon, Tennessee. Three women—Abernathy, Kim, and Lee—are on a film break. They meet their friend Zoë, who wants to test-drive a 1970 Dodge Challenger. While they perform a stunt called 'Ship's Mast,' Mike appears and intentionally causes a series of collisions. After a brutal confrontation where Zoë is thrown from the car, the women eventually track down Mike. They corner him, beat him to death, and celebrate their victory.
- First release year
- 2007
- Runtime (minutes)
- 96
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Quentin Tarantino
- Writers
- Quentin Tarantino · writer
- Cast and characters
- Kurt Russell · Stuntman Mike; Rosario Dawson · Arlene; Vanessa Ferlito · Shanna; Jordan Ladd · Jungle; Rose McGowan · Pam; Sydney Tamiia Poitier · Lanna; Tracie Thoms · Abernathy Ross; Mary Elizabeth Winstead · Kim Mathis; Zoë Bell · Lee Montgomery
- Genres
- slasher; action; thriller
- Themes
- exploitation cinema; violence against women
- Tone and mood
- high-octane; grindhouse
- Setting
- Austin, Texas and Lebanon, Tennessee.
- Premise and plot tags
- slasher; car chase; stunt performers
- Reception
- The film received mostly positive reviews for its stunt sequences and tribute to exploitation cinema, though its pacing was criticized.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 67% · review count: 45
- Awards and nominations
- Best Film of the Year · Ranked · 2007 · Second
- Production trivia
- The film was intentionally damaged to look like 1970s exploitation films.; Tarantino's first credit as a cinematographer.; The film was originally part of a double feature called Grindhouse.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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