Pulp Fiction: 8 Fan Theories About What Was Inside The Briefcase (According To Reddit)

Nearly 30 years after its initial release, fans are still discussing and theorizing about the events in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. One aspect of the 1994 crime classic that still has film buffs debating and talking online is centered on the mysterious briefcase that contract killers Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent Vega (John Travolta) try to retrieve for their boss, the gangster Marcellus Wallace (Ving Rhames).

When they open the briefcase for the first time, the contents seem to glow, hinting at its otherworldly or at least extremely valuable contents. While most would agree that it’s nothing more than a plot device, some fans on Reddit have continued to guess what the briefcase actually contains.

The Diamonds From Reservoir Dogs

Viewers who believe in a shared universe between Tarantino’s films will appreciate heelspider’s theory about Reservoir Dogs that connects it to Pulp Fiction, as they believe that the briefcase contains “the diamonds stolen” in the 1992 crime film.

It’s a popular theory that seems to have no other basis except for the fact that the two movies both feature criminal activities and a briefcase. Plus, fans who watched Reservoir Dogs until the very end know that Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) actually ends up being apprehended by authorities, which means the loot would have likely been confiscated and stashed in a police station.

Gold Bars

The Redditor Programmer-Whole has a more straightforward answer for what may be in the briefcase, which is based on “Vincent’s response in the apartment room.” Fans may recall how the hitman tells Jules that he’s happy after seeing the contents, which may mean “it’s something directly monetary,” specifically “bars of solid gold.”

It would definitely explain the color of the glowing light, but it also comes with its own issues. Solid gold is heavy, and Vincent would certainly have a much harder time carrying the bag around if it were chockfull of gold bars.

More Heroin

With the abundance of drugs like heroin in the movie, it wouldn’t be surprising for the bag to be full of “more heroin” like a Redditor has suggested. It would explain Vincent’s shock and delight at the contents, as he may be staring at an unbelievable amount of pure heroin.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that Marcellus’ deal with Brett (Frank Whaley) could be drug-related, as it’s a messy business where things can go wrong fast. Fans may remember how Brett apologizes for being involved in how “things got so f****d up” between them and Marcellus, as they may not have given the full sum for the heroin or maybe even got in trouble for it with the authorities.

Comic Books

It’s fun to theorize about the details in Tarantino’s movies because there are so many believable possibilities that audiences could spend years thinking of as facts, when they’re actually arbitrary. This is exactly what happened to Ok-Ad-2605, who recounts how when they “first saw” the scene with the briefcase, their “friend matter of factly told” them “it was comic books.”

There are likely hundreds of similar stories out there about viewers who just assume that something random was hidden in the briefcase, and who may never realize that “it made no sense at all” like the Redditor eventually does.

Marcellus Wallace’s Soul

One of the most popular fan theories about Pulp Fiction’s briefcase is centered on a deal Marcellus allegedly makes with the devil for his soul. Shop_Kooky’s comment pointing out that “Marcellus Wallace’s soul” is in the briefcase unsurprisingly garners several upvotes and awards, as it’s among the well-known and accepted theories about the film.

Marcellus wants it back, which is why he sends his hitmen to retrieve it. Some fans even go as far as guessing that the Band-Aid behind his neck is where they made the incision to extract his soul. To make the theory even more credible, they claim that the code for unlocking the briefcase – “666” – and the several biblical references Jules makes are because of this.

Valuable Bonds

The user IamtheBoomstick solves the problem of gold bars being too heavy by suggesting a much lighter option, “highly valuable bonds.” They also think it could be “stock tickets” or just “something embossed” that would cause “the golden sheen,” “but light enough to just carry around.”

While it’s strange to think about how Marcellus would invest in something as legitimate as bonds, it’s not totally impossible. The gangster’s attempt at purchasing bonds may have just proved to him that his current, more dangerous line of work is actually the better and more profitable route.

The Holy Grail

Pulp Fiction could be a treasure hunting movie like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, with some fans believing that Vincent was actually staring at the Holy Grail. The user undercookedtopramen recalls how their “friend group” thought that the “glowing, golden hues, instantly recognizable by anyone” just couldn’t be anything else but that sought-after cup.

This theory would also align with Jules’ biblical lines during that scene, although it wouldn’t explain why Marcellus would have that item to begin with. If it’s true, Indiana Jones may have been looking in the wrong place.

A MacGuffin

A Redditor suggests the most plausible fan theory, which was confirmed by Tarantino himself in an interview with Snopes – the whole thing is a “MacGuffin.” It’s a plot device that doesn’t necessarily have any relevance or importance, but is only used to progress the narrative.

No wonder the contents of the briefcase are still hotly debated today, as it could contain anything that the viewers want it to. While it was only used to drive the story, the director probably knew it would generate discussion and interest from fans even decades after the movie’s initial release.

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