Kill Bill Faces Backlash Over Striking Similarities to Lady Snowblood

Quentin Tarantino’s reputation as a visionary director is well established, with his Kill Bill series often celebrated as a standout achievement. Recently, however, a growing number of fans have begun to question just how original the saga really is, pointing to the 1973 Japanese samurai film Lady Snowblood as a possible blueprint. The intense, stylized action and the central revenge- driven plot in both films have sparked a heated debate about inspiration versus imitation.

Social Media Ignites the Copycat Debate

The controversy gained new momentum when a user on X posted a screenshot from Lady Snowblood, captioned “Now watching,” and later retweeted it with the blunt statement:

Put Tarantino in jail

This comment quickly caught fire, with others chiming in to accuse Tarantino of borrowing not just from Lady Snowblood, but from other films as well. Some even pointed out the irony of Tarantino criticizing movies like The Hunger Games for allegedly copying Battle Royale, while his own work is now under similar scrutiny. Yet, what many seem to overlook is that Tarantino has openly acknowledged Lady Snowblood’s influence on his own film series.

Tarantino’s Open Admiration for Lady Snowblood

It’s no secret that Tarantino is a devoted fan of Lady Snowblood. He has repeatedly cited the film as a major source of inspiration for his Kill Bill saga. According to Criterion,

The first Lady Snowblood was a major inspiration for Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill saga.

In a 2004 interview, Tarantino discussed the origins of Kill Bill, explaining:

It’s coming from, in its basic form, all of these different revenge genre movies that I was jumping off from. The Bride could easily be this cowboy character from this spaghetti western. She could easily be Angela Mao character Deep Thrust or Broken Oath.

He specifically credited Meiko Kaji, who played Yuki Kashima in Lady Snowblood, as a key influence, saying:

There’s two characters that Japanese actress Meiko Kaji played. One was a character named Scorpion. She did about four movies with that, and she did a great revenge samurai movie called Lady Snowblood. She could be that character. You could keep going down the whole list, but she falls in that whole long line of hell bent for revenge characters.

These admissions make it clear that Tarantino’s intent was to pay homage, not to plagiarize.

Comparing the Two Films: Homage or Reimagining?

From the perspective of many viewers, it’s easy to see why some believe Kill Bill is a modern retelling of Lady Snowblood. Both films center on a woman seeking vengeance for past wrongs, with each protagonist driven by a relentless sense of purpose. Lady Snowblood follows Yuki Kashima, played by Meiko Kaji, as she hunts down those responsible for her family ’s suffering. In Kill Bill, Uma Thurman’s character, The Bride, embarks on a similar quest for retribution against her former boss and his associates.

There are also striking visual and narrative parallels. The snowy showdown between The Bride and O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill closely mirrors a memorable scene from Lady Snowblood. Both films use chapter-style storytelling and feature elaborate sword fights. Even the song “The Flower of Carnage,” a signature piece from Lady Snowblood, is used during a pivotal moment in Kill Bill.

Distinctive Styles and Lasting Influence

Despite these similarities, Tarantino’s approach is far from a direct copy. He weaves together elements from a variety of genres, infusing his own style and sensibility into the narrative. While the influence of Lady Snowblood is undeniable, Kill Bill stands as a unique creation, blending homage with innovation. The result is a film that feels more like a spiritual successor than a simple remake.

For those interested in revisiting these iconic films, Kill Bill is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, while Lady Snowblood can be found on HBO Max.