Kill Bill: Volume 2

Kill Bill: Volume 2 is a 2004 American martial arts film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It stars Uma Thurman as the Bride, who continues her campaign of revenge against the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad (Daryl Hannah, Vivica A. Fox, Lucy Liu, and Michael Madsen) and their leader Bill (David Carradine), who tried to kill her and their unborn child.

Tarantino conceived Kill Bill as an homage to low-budget cinema, including exploitation films, martial arts films, samurai cinema, blaxploitation and spaghetti westerns. Volume 2 is the second of two Kill Bill films produced simultaneously; the first, Volume 1, was released six months earlier. The films were set for a single release, but the film, with a runtime of over four hours, was divided in two.

Kill Bill: Volume 2 premiered at the Cinerama Dome on April 8, 2004 and was released by Miramax Films on April 16, 2004. The film received positive reviews and grossed $152.3 million worldwide on a production budget of $30 million. Tarantino had planned to make further Kill Bill films in the following years, but abandoned those plans by 2023. A single film combining both parts, Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, was theatrically released on December 5, 2025.

Plot

The pregnant Bride and her groom rehearse their wedding. Bill — the Bride's former lover, and the leader of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad — arrives unexpectedly and orders the Deadly Vipers to kill everyone at the wedding rehearsal. Bill shoots the Bride in the head, but she survives and swears revenge.

Four years later, the Bride, having already assassinated Deadly Vipers O-Ren Ishii and Vernita Green,^[a] goes to the trailer of Bill's brother Budd, another Deadly Viper, planning to ambush him. Having been warned by Bill beforehand, he incapacitates her with a non-lethal shotgun blast of rock salt and sedates her. He calls Elle Driver, another former Deadly Viper, and arranges to sell her the Bride's sword for $1 million. He seals the Bride inside a coffin and buries her alive.

Years earlier, Bill tells the young Bride of the legendary martial arts master Pai Mei and his Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique, a death blow that Pai refuses to teach his students; properly used, the attack is reputed to leave an opponent able to take only five steps before dying. Bill takes the Bride to Pai's temple for training. Pai ridicules and torments her during training, but she eventually gains his respect. In the present, the Bride uses Pai's techniques to escape from the coffin and claw her way to the surface.

Elle arrives at Budd's trailer and kills him with a black mamba hidden within the case full of money for the sword. She calls Bill and tells him that the Bride has killed Budd and that she has killed the Bride, using the Bride's real name: Beatrix Kiddo. As Elle exits the trailer, Beatrix ambushes her and they fight. Elle, who was also taught by Pai, taunts Beatrix by revealing that she killed Pai by poisoning his favorite meal in retribution for him plucking out her eye after she called him "a miserable old fool". Enraged, Beatrix plucks out Elle's remaining eye, blinding her, and leaves her screaming and stumbling in the trailer with the black mamba.

In Acuña, Mexico, Beatrix meets a retired pimp, Esteban Vellajo, who helps her find Bill. She tracks him to his home, and discovers that their daughter B. B. is still alive, now four years old. Beatrix spends the evening with them. After she puts B. B. to bed, Bill shoots Beatrix with a dart containing truth serum and interrogates her. She explains that she left the Deadly Vipers when she discovered she was pregnant, in order to give B. B. a better life. Bill explains that he assumed she was dead; he ordered her assassination when he discovered she was alive and engaged to a "jerk" he assumed was the father of her child. The two begin to fight, but Beatrix traps Bill's sword in her scabbard and strikes him with the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique. Surprised that Pai taught her the attack, Bill reconciles with her, then falls dead as she walks away. Beatrix leaves with B. B. to start a new life.

Production

The Kill Bill films were inspired by exploitation films that played in cheap US theaters in the 1970s, including martial arts films, samurai cinema, blaxploitation films and spaghetti westerns.^[4] Kill Bill Volume 1 and Volume 2 were planned and produced as a single film.^[5] After editing began, the executive producer, Harvey Weinstein, who was known for pressuring filmmakers to shorten their films, suggested that Quentin Tarantino split the film in two.^[5] The decision was announced in July 2003.^[5]

Tarantino said he saved most of the Bride's character development for the second film: "As far as the first half is concerned, I didn't want to make her sympathetic. I wanted to make her scary."^[6] He said he "loves" the Bride and that he "killed himself to put her in a good place" for the ending.^[7]

Music

The Kill Bill: Volume 2 soundtrack includes tracks by Shivaree, Ennio Morricone, Malcolm McLaren, Charlie Feathers, Meiko Kaji and Luis Bacalov.^[8] The original score was composed by the filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and the producer RZA.^[9]

Release

Theatrical release

Kill Bill: Volume 2 was released in theaters on April 16, 2004. It was originally scheduled to be released on February 20, 2004, but was rescheduled. Variety posited that the delay was to coincide its theatrical release with Volume 1's release on DVD.^[10] In the United States and Canada, Volume 2 was released in 2,971 theaters and grossed $25.1 million on its opening weekend,^[2] ranking first at the box office and beating fellow opener The Punisher. Volume 2s opening weekend gross was higher than Volume 1s, and the equivalent success confirmed the studio's financial decision to split the film into two theatrical releases.^[11]

Volume 2 attracted more female theatergoers than Volume 1, with 60% of the audience being male and 56% of the audience being men between the ages of 18 and 29 years old. Volume 2s opening weekend was the largest to date for Miramax Films aside from releases under its arm Dimension Films. The opening weekend was also the largest to date in the month of April for a film restricted in the United States to theatergoers 17 years old and up, besting Lifes 1999 record. Volume 2s opening weekend was strengthened by the reception of Volume 1 in the previous year among audiences and critics, abundant publicity related to the splitting into two volumes, and the DVD release of Volume 1 in the week before Volume 2s theatrical release.^[12]

Outside of the United States and Canada, Volume 2 was released in 20 territories over the weekend of April 23, 2004. It grossed an estimated $17.7 million and ranked first at the international box office, ending an eight-week streak held by The Passion of the Christ.^[13] Volume 2 grossed a total of $66.2 million in the United States and Canada and $86 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $152.2 million.^[2]

Home media

In the United States, Volume 2 was released on DVD and VHS on August 10, 2004. In a December 2005 interview, Tarantino addressed the lack of a special edition DVD for Kill Bill by stating "I've been holding off because I've been working on it for so long that I just wanted a year off from Kill Bill and then I'll do the big supplementary DVD package."^[14] The United States does not have a DVD boxed set of Kill Bill, though box sets of the two separate volumes are available in other countries, such as France, Japan and the United Kingdom. Upon the DVD release of Volume 2 in the US, however, Best Buy did offer an exclusive box set slipcase to house the two individual releases together.^[15]

The Whole Bloody Affair

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2004.^[16] At the 2008 Provincetown International Film Festival, Tarantino announced that the original cut of Kill Bill, incorporating both films and an extended animation sequence, would be released in May 2009.^[17] Screenings began on March 27, 2011, at Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema.^[18] The Whole Bloody Affair had a limited theatrical release from July 18 to July 28, 2025, at Tarantino's Vista Theater.^[19] Tarantino said he had waited until he owned the rights before giving it a full release, and thought that asking audiences to come to his theater gave it more meaning.^[20] The Whole Bloody Affair was theatrically released by Lionsgate in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom on December 5, 2025. It was accompanied by a short animation by Tarantino and Epic Games in the video game Fortnite, in collaboration with The Third Floor, titled The Lost Chapter: Yuki's Revenge.^[21][22]

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Kill Bill: Volume 2 holds an approval rating of 84% based on 247 reviews. The website's critical consensus states, "Kill Bill: Volume 2 adds extra plot and dialogue to the action-heavy exploits of its predecessor, while still managing to deliver a suitably hard-hitting sequel."^[23] At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score to reviews from mainstream critics, the film received an average score of 83 out of 100 based on 41 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".^[24] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale, a grade up from the "B+" earned by the previous film.^[25]

Roger Ebert gave the film 4 stars out of 4, writing: "Put the two parts together, and Tarantino has made a masterful saga that celebrates the martial arts genre while kidding it, loving it, and transcending it. ... This is all one film, and now that we see it whole, it's greater than its two parts."^[26] In 2009, he named Kill Bill one of the 20 best films of the decade.^[27]

Accolades

Thurman received a Golden Globe Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama nomination in 2005. Carradine also received a Best Supporting Actor nomination.^{[citation needed]} Empire named Kill Bill: Volume 2 the 423rd-greatest film^{[citation needed]} and the Bride the 66th-greatest film character.^[28] In 2025, it was one of the films voted for the "Readers' Choice" edition of The New York Times' list of "The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century," finishing at number 245.^[29]

Cancelled sequels

In April 2004, Tarantino told Entertainment Weekly that he intended to make a Kill Bill sequel at least 15 years after the second film. He planned that the character of Nikki would seek revenge on the Bride for killing her mother, Vernita Green, in Volume 1.^[30] At the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con, Tarantino said that, after the completion of Grindhouse, he wanted to make two anime Kill Bill films: an origin story about Bill and his mentors, and another origin starring the Bride.^[31][32] In 2007, Bloody Disgusting reported that Volume 3 would involve two killers attacked by the Bride in the first films, and that Volume 4 "concerns a cycle of reprisals and daughters who avenge their mother's deaths".^[33] At the 2009 Morelia International Film Festival, Tarantino reiterated that he intended to make a third Kill Bill film.^[34] That month, he said that Kill Bill 3 would be his ninth film and would be released in 2014.^[35] He said he wanted 10 years to pass to give her and the Bride and her daughter a period of peace.^[36]

In December 2012, Tarantino said there would "probably not" be a third film."^[37][38] However, in July 2019, he said that he and Thurman had talked again about a sequel and that "if any of my movies were going to spring from my other movies, it would be a third Kill Bill".^[39] That December, Tarantino said he had spoken to Thurman again about the film, and was "definitely in the cards".^[40] In June 2021, Tarantino said he was excited about the possibility of Thurman and her daughter, Maya Hawke, playing the Bride and B.B. He also said the characters of Driver, Sofie Fatale and Gogo's twin sister, Shiaki, could appear.^[41] Later that month, Tarantino said he did not want to take on more Kill Bill films following the fatigue he endured making the first two.^[42] In July 2023, Tarantino said a sequel would not be made.^[43]

See also

• Quentin Tarantino filmography

Notes

1. ^ As depicted in Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)

References

1. ^ "AFI|Catalog - Kill Bill -- Vol. 2". American Film Institute. Archived March 3, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
2. ^ "Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004)". Box Office Mojo. Archived June 6, 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
3. ^ "LUMIERE : Film #21936 : Kill Bill: Vol. 2". Lumiere. Archived August 4, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
4. ^ Rose, Steve (April 6, 2004). "Found: where Tarantino gets his ideas". The Guardian. Archived September 29, 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 25, 2006.
5. ^ Snyder, Gabriel (July 15, 2003). "Double 'Kill' bill". Variety. Archived November 8, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
6. ^ Ansen, David (November 13, 2003). "Pulp Friction". Newsweek. New York City: IBT Media
7. ^ Schilling, Mary Kaye (April 16, 2004). "The Second Coming". Entertainment Weekly. Meredith Corporation
8. ^ Lindhart, Alex (2 May 2004). "Various Artists: Kill Bill, Vol. 2". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
9. ^ Spence D. (April 22, 2004). "RZA Talks Tarantino". IGN
10. ^ Diorio, Carl & Hettrick, Scott (January 8, 2004). "Inside Move: 'Bill 2' delayed until April". Variety. Archived November 8, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
11. ^ Staff (April 19, 2004). "Bill makes a killing at US box office". The Guardian. Archived January 26, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 12, 2016. Kill Bill: Volume 2's total ... confirmed the financial good sense of Miramax's decision to split the movie in two.
12. ^ McNary, Dave (April 18, 2004). "'Bill's' better half". Variety. Archived November 8, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
13. ^ Staff (April 29, 2004). "Kill Bill tops global box office". BBC News. Archived November 23, 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
14. ^ "Tarantino Brings Kill Bills Together". ContactMusic.com. December 21, 2005. Archived April 7, 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2007-06-11.
15. ^ "Best DVD Packaging of 2004". DVD Talk. Archived June 21, 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2007-06-11.
16. ^ Wise, Damon. "Intégrale Kill Bill 2004 Cannes Review". Empire Online. Archived from the original on June 4, 2004. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
17. ^ "Advocate Insider". Archived September 4, 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
18. ^ "Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair Premieres March 27". Archived April 1, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
19. ^ Hemphill, Jim (July 21, 2025). "Quentin Tarantino's Best Movie Isn't Streaming or on Physical Media, but You Can See It This Week in L.A.". IndieWire. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
20. ^ Furzan, Federico (August 23, 2025). "Quentin Tarantino Finally Reveals Why He Hasn't Released 'Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair'". MovieWeb. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
21. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 1, 2025). "Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair: Quentin Tarantino epic to be released as one movie in early December". Deadline. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
22. ^ ""Yuki's Revenge" Premieres in Fortnite on November 30 at 2 PM ET"
23. ^ "Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Archived April 22, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
24. ^ "Kill Bill: Vol. 2 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived March 27, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
25. ^ "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived August 9, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 2, 2020. Each film's score can be accessed from the website's search bar.
26. ^ Roger Ebert (2004-04-16). "Kill Bill, Volume 2". rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
27. ^ Roger Ebert (2009-12-30). "The best films of the decade". Roger Ebert's Journal. Archived from the original on 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
28. ^ "The 100 Greatest Movie Characters| 66. The Bride | Empire". www.empireonline.com. 2006-12-05. Archived October 19, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-05-29.
29. ^ "Readers Choose Their Top Movies of the 21st Century". The New York Times. July 2, 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
30. ^ Schilling, Mary Kaye. "From Kill Bill to kids: A Q&A with Quentin". Entertainment Weekly. Archived November 17, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
31. ^ Wright, Blake (July 22, 2006). "Rodriguez and Tarantino Present Grindhouse!". ComingSoon.net. Archived November 17, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 7, 2006.
32. ^ "SDCC '06: Tarantino Confirms More Kill Bill!". Bloody-Disgusting.com. July 22, 2006. Archived 2012-10-15 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 5, 2007.
33. ^ "Kill Bill Volumes 3 and 4 Details Emerge!". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on 2012-10-15.
34. ^ "Quentin Tarantino Talks Kill Bill 3: The Bride Will Fight Again!". BadTaste.it. October 1, 2009. Archived October 4, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
35. ^ "Tarantino Teases 'Kill Bill Volume 3'". October 4, 2009. Archived November 16, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
36. ^ Young, James (October 3, 2009). "Tarantino wants to 'Kill Bill' again". Variety. Archived October 7, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
37. ^ Nicholson, Max (12 December 2012). "No Kill Bill 3 for Tarantino". Archived November 17, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
38. ^ "Director Tarantino: Kill Bill: Vol. 3 Still a Possibility". Anime News Network. January 2, 2016. Archived August 3, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
39. ^ Sharf, Zack (July 22, 2019). "'Kill Bill Vol. 3' Not Dead Yet: Quentin Tarantino Says He's Still in Talks With Uma Thurman". IndieWire. Archived November 17, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
40. ^ Sharf, Zack (Dec 10, 2019). "Tarantino Says 'Kill Bill Vol. 3' Is 'Definitely in the Cards' but Would Be Years Away". IndieWire. Archived November 17, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
41. ^ Sharf, Zack (2021-06-30). "'Kill Bill Vol. 3' Would Star Maya Hawke as The Bride's Daughter and Maybe Bring Back Elle Driver". IndieWire. Archived July 1, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
42. ^ "Quentin Tarantino Started Writing A 'Reservoir Dogs' Novelization & Reveals His New Stage Play Is 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood'". theplaylist.net. July 2021. Archived July 1, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
43. ^ Bonomolo, Cameron (3 July 2023). "Quentin Tarantino Responds to Kill Bill Vol. 3 Rumors". ComicBook.com