True Detective stands as one of HBO’s most lauded series, particularly noted for its groundbreaking inaugural season. However, acclaimed filmmaker Quentin Tarantino found it so unengaging that he couldn’t complete even a single episode. Although Tarantino has never directed a television series himself, he is a well-known aficionado of the medium, often sharing his candid views on various shows, much like he does with films. He has expressed admiration for series such as Justified—an adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s work, who greatly influences him—and How I Met Your Mother.
Tarantino’s appreciation for top-notch dialogue is evident, as he has eagerly rewatched Aaron Sorkin’s The Newsroom multiple times just to savor Sorkin’s rich script. However, not all of HBO’s original content has struck a chord with him. Despite the overwhelming acclaim for True Detective’s first season as a revolutionary narrative in television, Tarantino labeled the series as “really boring,”and he failed to connect with its Southern Gothic mystery.
Quentin Tarantino Describes True Detective Season 1 as “Really Boring”
Tarantino Couldn’t Complete a Single Episode
In a candid interview with New York Magazine in 2015, Tarantino was asked about his thoughts on True Detective, which had recently wrapped its first season and was poised to launch its second. He admitted that he had made an effort to watch the pilot episode but found it unengaging, saying, “he ‘tried to watch’ the first episode but ‘didn’t get into it at all.'” The director noted that he considered it “really boring” and chose not to continue past the pilot—an interesting stance given his renowned work on dialogue-heavy films like Death Proof.
True Detective Season 1: Slow Yet Compelling
Riveting Dual Timelines Enhance the Mystery
While True Detective’s first season is undeniably slow-paced, it should not be dismissed as boring. The chemistry between the lead actors, Woody Harrelson and especially Matthew McConaughey, captivates viewers as they take on the roles of Louisiana detectives embroiled in a serial killer case. Harrelson artfully navigates the complexities of an unfaithful husband, while McConaughey delivers a surprisingly subdued performance as a troubled individual. Their lengthy, philosophical conversations, although long, are far from tedious.
Originally conceived as a novel, creator Nic Pizzolatto transformed True Detective into a compelling television narrative. The intricate structure unfolds across two distinct timelines: one set in the mid-90s during the initial murder investigation and another 17 years later when they revisit the case linked to new murders. This clever storytelling technique keeps the audience engaged, showcasing a pitch-black Southern Gothic murder mystery infused with elements reminiscent of horror comics.
The season is visually arresting, featuring haunting imagery and a carefully crafted shot that deserves its place in the annals of cinematic history. True Detective season 1 takes a measured approach to character development, allowing viewers to see the evolution of relationships and the deepening mystery. While the series does take time to reach its conclusions, it ensures that such payoffs are extraordinarily rewarding, showcasing a thought-provoking and mesmerizing experience.
Tarantino’s Disinterest Extended to True Detective Season 2
Critique on Casting in Season 2
Following his criticism of season one, Tarantino also shared his lack of interest in True Detective’s second season when its trailer was released. He lamented that the upcoming season “looks awful,”pointing out the unusual casting choices of “handsome actors trying to not be handsome.” Season two featured actors such as Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, and Taylor Kitsch in roles that required them to adopt rough-around-the-edges personas. Additionally, the second season suffered from a sharp quality decline, as Pizzolatto had less time to create the multilayered story for which season one was acclaimed, further solidifying Tarantino’s negative view of the series.
Source: New York Magazine