Snap Scenes: Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood

It has always been a timeless tradition in horror film, that if a really cool character is introduced, he not only misses all of the signs of danger, but usually meets a brutal end pretty early.

Enter Cliff Booth, the handsome, charming, cool SOB of Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood.

Granted, this is not a horror film by any stretch. Its is a rather brilliant snapshot of old Hollywood. Having said that, the precise moment that Cliff Booth enters infamous Spahn Ranch, the movie 100% becomes a horror film, albeit not for very long.

Cliff has kindly dropped hitchhiking Margaret Qualley off at famous western film locale Spahn Ranch, where Cliff used to do stunt work for movies. 

Upon discovering a large surplus of hippies lurking around, he opts to check on George Spahn, to ensure there’s no funny business going on.

Director Quentin Tarantino brilliantly pulls back the curtain just enough to let the viewer know that there is indeed funny business going on. Everything prior to this scene is very lighthearted. In a flash, the music changes, and the mood turns very ominous. A rat is revealed struggling in a glue trap. Flies gather around filth. Everything is dimly lit. Hippie leader Squeaky (Dakota Fanning) lounges sinisterly in a recliner, never showing herself to the audience, while instructing the group not to let Cliff near the house they reside in. Notorious Manson cultie Tex (Austin Butler) is notified of Cliff’s presence, and hightails it over there. A large group gathers outside.

Cliff appears unfazed by all of this, confidently strutting around the property. His tshirt reads “Champion” after all. Brad Pitt's presence alone provides a decent amount of plot armor, but would Tarantino go too far with the scenario?

As tensions rise, and the music darkens further, Cliff makes his way through the dark and dingy house, in search of George. Things end up a lot less horrific than expected, as George is alive and well. Sort of.

Upon leaving the home, Cliff is yet again met with danger and tension, as the mob gathered are now turning against him. He appears to have finally started hearing the danger music and manages to escape the ranch before Tex’s arrival, although having to rough up a hillbillie hippie in the process.

Tarantino is a big horror buff, and clearly understands the power of rising tension in lieu of explosive action. This bait and switch is done masterfully, and further cemented Cliff as one of the coolest characters ever written,and Brad Pitt’s portrayal is nothing short of brilliant.

I truly wish Tarantino would take a stab at a modern horror classic. Perhaps in an alternate universe, much akin to Sharon Tate not meeting a grisly end, there is a version of this opus in which Cliff never leaves the ranch.