Telling four intertwining tales of crime in violence, Pulp Fiction is a 1994 crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The title references the pulp magazines and hard-boiled crime novels that were popular in the mid-20th Century. The film is self-referential from the start, with a title card giving two dictionary definitions of “pulp.” The plot occurs out of chronological order, following two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits. Pulp Fiction begins with a diner hold-up, staged by a couple, before shifting from one storyline to another before returning to the diner at the end.
Pulp Fiction is widely regarded as Tarantino’s magnum opus, with self-reflexivity, extensive homage, and an unconventional structure. It has since influenced various films and other media that adopted its style and elements. Entertainment Weekly has named it the best film since 1983, in 2008 (via CBS News). Various critics have included it on lists of the greatest films ever made. Then, in 2013, the Library of Congress selected Pulp Fiction for perseveration in the United States National Film Registry as it is culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. With such an incredible film, it’s time to look at the individuals who make up the cast and characters.
John Travolta as Vincent Vega
Vincent Vega works for Marsellus Wallus, a crime boss, and partners with Jules Winnfield. His brother, Vic, was also a career criminal, but was shot and killed by an undercover cop during a heist. Vincent is a professional hitman, wearing a bolo tie with his suit, pulling his long hair back in a ponytail, rolling his own cigarettes, addicted to heroin, and ordering his steak “bloody as hell.” His role in the film is to retrieve a briefcase from the apartment of one of his boss’s associates, Brett.
Vincent is played by John Travolta, who was cast in the role only because Michael Madsen, who had a major role as Vic Vega in Reservoir Dogs chose to do Wyatt Earp instead. Thanks to the film’s success and his Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, Travolta’s career was revitalized. Besides Pulp Fiction, Travolta is known for his roles as Danny in Grease and as Bud Davis in Urban Cowboy.
Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield
Jules Winnfield is Vincent’s partner-in-crime. Like Vincent, he is a professional hitman tasked with retrieving a briefcase from Marsellus’ business partner, Brett. Jules executes Brett because he had turned against their boss, after reciting a biblical passage. After a revelation, Jules decides to give up his career as a hitman and leave to “Walk the Earth.”
The role of Jules Winnfield is played by Samuel L. Jackson. His first audition was overshadowed by Paul Calderon, leaving Jackson to believe the audition was merely a reading. However, he was convinced to audition a second time and got the role. Jackson received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He is known for his roles as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as Neville Flynn in Snakes on a Plane, and as Marcus Banks in Spiral.
Uma Thurman as Mia Wallace
Mia Wallace is the mysterious and breathtakingly beautiful new wife of Marsellus Wallace. She only smokes Red Apple cigarettes, wears elegant, expensive clothes, enjoys music, is addicted to cocaine, and is a world traveler. She hates chit-chat, but loves novelty, using playful epithets and nicknames. Marsellus has Vincent show Mia a good time while he’s in Florida, so they go to a 1950s-themed restaurant whose staff appears as the decade’s top pop culture icons.
While Holly Hunter or Meg Ryan were preferred for the role by Miramax, per ET, Tarantino wanted Uma Thurman for the role. She took the role in stride, dominating the film’s promotional material. She received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress and launched into the celebrity A-list for her role as Mia. Thurman is also known for her roles as Poison Ivy in the 1997 film Batman & Robin and as The Bride in Kill Bill.
Ving Rhames as Marsellus Wallace
The central antagonist and deuteragonist of Pulp Fiction is Marsellus Wallace. Married to Mia Wallace, he is a gang boss, leading Vincent Vega, Jules Winnfield, Butch Coolidge, and many other gangsters. He is powerful and intimidating, allegedly throwing a man off a balcony for giving his wife a foot rub.
The role of Marsellus was initially offered to Sid Haig and Max Julien, though they both turned the role down. Then, Ving Rhames was cast. His performance as Marsellus led to him being cast in films such as Mission: impossible, Con Air, and Out of Sight.
Harvey Keitel as Winston Wolf
Winston “The Wolf” Wolf is Marsellus’ personal problem solver. After Vincent accidentally kills Marvin the informant, Wolf is called in to help get rid of the body and the now very bloody car. Tarantino wrote the part specifically for Harvey Keitel, who had starred as Mr. White/Larry in Reservoir Dogs. Keitel is also known for his roles as Ludwig in The Grand Budapest Hotel and as LT in Bad Lieutenant.
Tim Roth as Ringo/"Pumpkin"
Ringo, AKA “Pumpkin,” is a burglar and the boyfriend of Yolanda. While Jules and Vincent are at the diner, Ringo and his girlfriend hold up the diner, demanding the briefcase. He is overpowered by Jules and, with guns pointed at each other, Jules defuses the situation and lets the two leave with his cash. Ringo is played by Tim Roth, who also starred as Thade in Planet of the Apes, as Oswaldo Mobray in The Hateful Eight, and as Cunningham in Rob Roy.
Amanda Plummer as Yolanda/"Honey Bunny"
Yolanda, AKA “Honey Bunny,” is Ringo’s girlfriend and criminal partner. With Ringo, she holds up the diner where Jules and Vincent are at. When Jules overpowers her boyfriend and points the gun at him, Yolanda becomes hysterical, pointing her own gun at Jules. Vincent returns from the bathroom, gun pointed at Yolanda, but Jules defuses the situation, giving Yolanda and Ringo all his cash and they leave. Yolanda is played by Amanda Plummer, who is known for her titular role in Abigail Harm and as Louise in Ratched.
Bruce Willis as Butch Coolidge
Butch Coolidge is an aging boxer who double-crossed Marsellus, and he’s now on the run from him. Along with Vincent, he is one of the two main protagonists in Pulp Fiction. He’s a southpaw boxer nearing the end of his career when Marsellus coerces him into taking a bribe to throw the fight with Floyd Wilson. He accepted the bribe, but proceeds to win the fight, after betting on himself. He hides out with his girlfriend, Fabienne, until he is found.
Bruce Willis stars as Butch and while he was already a star, most of his most recent films were critical and box-office failures. Pulp Fiction brought the actor new-found respect. Prior to Pulp Fiction, Willis starred as John McClane in Die Hard and later as Malcolm Crowe in The Sixth Sense.
Maria de Medeiros as Fabienne
Fabienne is Butch’s incredibly naïve French girlfriend. After Butch double-crosses Marsellus, she hides with him in a motel, with the plan to leave for Tennessee. However, Fabienne forgets Butch’s treasured gold watch that had belonged to his father at their apartment. This leads Butch to go back to retrieve it, which causes him to come face-to-face with Vincent and Marsellus. Fabienne is portrayed by Maria de Medeiros, who is known for her roles as Antonia in April Captains and Catarina Meneses in Adao e Eva.
Eric Stoltz as Lance
Lance is Vincent’s drug dealer. He sold Vincent the heroin that Mia mistook for cocaine and overdosed on. Vincent brings her to Lance and they after realizing that she’s Marsellus’ wife, helps revive her with a shot of adrenaline to the heart. Lance is played by Eric Stoltz, though Gary Oldman was the preferred choice. Stoltz is known for his roles as Rocky Dennis in Mask and as Mr. Miller in The Butterfly Effect.
Rosanna Arquette as Jody
Jody is Lance’s wife, who gets yelled at quite often by her husband. She is portrayed by Rosanna Arquette. Prior to Arquette getting the role, Pam Grier and Ellen DeGeneres also read for the part. She is known for her roles as Marcy in After Hours, as Sophie in The Whole Nine Yards, and as Roberta Glass in Desperately Seeking Susan.
Christopher Walken as Captain Koons
Captain Koons is a USAF veteran of the Vietnam War. He was buddies with Butch Coolidge’s father, who had died in the war. He delivered a young Butch his father’s gold watch, telling him to treasure it always. He delivers a monologue that includes descriptions of the Viet Cong and mentions a soldier named “Winocki,” referencing a character in the 1943 film Air Force. Captain Koons is played by Christopher Walken, who is known for his roles as Nick in The Deer Hunter and as Gabriel in The Prophecy.