Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs is a 1992 American crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, his feature debut.
The film follows a group of criminals, identified only by color-coded aliases, whose diamond heist goes violently wrong.
Its nonlinear storytelling, stylized dialogue, and graphic violence established Tarantino's signature filmmaking style.
The title references an obscure French film, though Tarantino has offered conflicting explanations.
- neo-noirRevived hardboiled crime genre
- nonlinearNot in sequence
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
soundtrack · debut · screenplay · cinematography · flashback · indie · auteur · 1990s
Theft through intimidation
- diamondsPrecious crystallized carbon
- getawaySwift departure or retreat
- planningArranging for future events
- lootStolen valuables
vault · thieves · crew · mastermind · caper · job · score · stickup
One who betrays allegiance
- informantOne who provides intelligence
- ratRodent or informer
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- backstabBetray someone's trust
double-cross · sellout · turncoat · revelation · treachery · disloyalty · deception · conspiracy
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
- Mexican standoffMultiparty armed deadlock
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- interrogationFormal, probing examination
confrontation · intensity · dread · uncertainty · pressure · apprehension · edginess · unease
Criminal organization member
- underworldRealm of the departed
- mafiaCriminal organization using intimidation
- syndicateCombined group pursuing shared interest
- felonySerious criminal offense
racketeering · smuggling · contraband · extortion · fugitive · accomplice · kingpin · corruption
Paying beyond the bill
- suitsFormal business clothing
- warehouseBulk goods storage building
- Mexican standoffMultiparty armed deadlock
- torture sceneDepicted suffering for narrative
Tarantino
- neo-noirRevived hardboiled crime genre
- nonlinearNot in sequence
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
ensemble · soundtrack · debut · screenplay · cinematography · flashback · indie · auteur · 1990s · Sundance
robbery
Theft through intimidation
- diamondsPrecious crystallized carbon
- getawaySwift departure or retreat
- planningArranging for future events
loot · vault · thieves · crew · mastermind · caper · job · score · stickup · burglary
traitor
One who betrays allegiance
- informantOne who provides intelligence
- ratRodent or informer
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
backstab · double-cross · sellout · turncoat · revelation · treachery · disloyalty · deception · conspiracy · infiltration
suspense
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
- Mexican standoffMultiparty armed deadlock
- distrustAbsence of confidence
interrogation · confrontation · intensity · dread · uncertainty · pressure · apprehension · edginess · unease · anticipation
gangster
Criminal organization member
- underworldRealm of the departed
- mafiaCriminal organization using intimidation
- syndicateCombined group pursuing shared interest
felony · racketeering · smuggling · contraband · extortion · fugitive · accomplice · kingpin · corruption · ringleader
tipping
Paying beyond the bill
- suitsFormal business clothing
- warehouseBulk goods storage building
- Mexican standoffMultiparty armed deadlock
- TarantinoPulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds, Jackie Brown
- Heist FilmsOcean's Eleven, The Italian Job, The Sting, Inside Man, Baby Driver
- Mob MediaThe Godfather, Goodfellas, The Sopranos, Scarface, Casino
- heistsheist, bank job, bank heist, bank robbery, art heist
- Lionsgate FilmsHunger Games, Twilight, John Wick, Divergent, La La Land
- thrillerssuspense, thriller, nail-biter, page-turner, cliffhanger
Reservoir DogsMary Poppins
My Neighbor Totoro · Bambi · Paddington · Annie · Finding Nemo
Reservoir DogsDie Hard
Yippee-ki-yay thriller
linear narrative · The Fugitive · The Shawshank Redemption · Top Gun · Forrest Gump
Reservoir DogsJurassic Park
Dinosaur amusement park catastrophe
Home Alone · Batman Returns · Transformers · Terminator 2 · Avatar