The 10 Best Pulp Fiction Fan Theories, According To Reddit

Whether it was because of the non-linear storytelling, as it constantly zips between the past and the present, or the multi-stranded narrative, Pulp Fiction redefined screenwriting in so many ways. As Quentin Tarantino was influenced by foreign movies, Pulp Fiction was the bearer of all these film styles from overseas that Hollywood has been using ever since.

But aside from influencing so many indie movies, Pulp Fiction is also the subject of countless theories due to those very film styles. From intentionally keeping secrets from the audience or leaving the character’s intentions ambiguous, the mystery of Pulp Fiction is all part of the appeal, and fans will be wondering what’s in the briefcase for eternity.

10 Mia Wallace Is A Test For People Who Work For Marcellus

As Vincent is tasked with taking out Mia, Marcellus’ wife, one fan claims it was all a test, as viewers find out what happened to the last employee who entertained her. Tony Rocky Horror was infamously thrown off a balcony for giving Mia a foot rub, and the theory goes that Marcellus puts every one of his foot soldiers through this test.

However, Vincent seems like one of Marcellus’ most trusted men, and they clearly have a strong partnership and friendship, so why Marcellus would conduct the test this late on into working together is left unexplained in the theory.

9 The Briefcase Is A Portal To The Movie Universe

One theory about Quentin Tarantino’s movies at large is that there are two different universes. There’s the real universe, in which movies like Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction exist, and then the movie universe, which includes fictional films like Django Unchained.

RELATED: Pulp Fiction: 5 Movies That Influenced It (& 5 Movies It Influenced)

But this theory posits that one of the best ’90s crime movies is actually a fantasy movie and that the contents of the briefcase are all of the fictional movies in Tarantino’s filmography. It’s far-fetched, and almost definitely not true, but it’s wildly entreating.

8 Vincent Killed Marvin On Purpose

One of the most shocking moments in Pulp Fiction comes when Vincent speaks casually with Marvin who is sitting in the back of the car, as Vincent “accidentally” shoots him in the face. However, a small minority believe that Vincent shot him on purpose, mostly because he was mad at Marvin for almost getting him and Jules killed.

There are some things that give weight to the theory, as Vincent immediately starts yelling at Marvin after they get shot at, but he gets distracted when Jules talks about divine intervention.

7 The Briefcase Contains The Diamonds From Reservoir Dogs

There’s a lot of evidence to support the fact that Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction share the same universe, with the most common fact being that Vincent Vega and Mr. Blonde are brothers.

So in this shared universe that’s all about a criminal underworld, it isn’t unlikely to imagine that the diamonds from Reservoir Dogs would land in the hands of Marcellus Wallace, a crime kingpin. And given that nobody knows what happened to Mr. Pink or the diamonds after the credits rolled in Reservoir Dogs, and that the contents of the case shine gold like jewelry, it’s totally possible.

6 All The Characters Represent Different Music Genres

Most fans know that Tarantino is just as much of a music fan as he is a movie fan, and if that wasn’t clear from his monologue about Madonna in Reservoir Dogs, then it’s clear from all of the great musical moments in Pulp Fiction.

This theory takes the director’s love of music a step further, as it claims that the movie is all about music and that the characters represent different genres. For example, Vincent represents Elvis, as they both died in a bathroom, and Hunny Bunny and Pumpkin represent British rock, and Hunny Bunny even calls Pumpkin Ringo at one point.

5 The Movie Is About Divine Intervention

Though Jules believes that when he was shot at it was an act of god that there wasn’t a single bullet that hit him, this theory explains that the whole movie is about divine intervention.

As the movie is completely non-linear, jumping back and forth in time and following different unrelated characters, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the movie is about. However, as everything goes downhill for Vincent, who doesn’t believe it was an act of god, but things play out fine for Jules, who does believe it, it seems there can be only one conclusion.

4 Marcellus Wallace’s Soul Is Inside The Briefcase

Of all the tens of thousands of theories about what could possibly be in the briefcase, the most well-known and popular theory is that it’s Marcellus Wallace’s soul. On the face of it, that might sound so over-the-top and fantastical compared to how grounded Pulp Fiction is, but there’s actually a lot of evidence to back the claim up.

First of all, the digits that Vincent entered to unlock the briefcase were 666. And on top of that, there’s an ancient myth that the devil takes people’s souls from the back of the neck, which is the exact spot where Marcellus has a band-aid.

3 The Holy Grail Is Inside The Briefcase

Though it’s one of the theories that sits a little outside of the more common ones, the idea that the Holy Grail is inside the briefcase surprisingly makes a lot of sense. The way that Vincent swings the case around makes it seem like it’s something light inside, and it glows whenever the case is opened, and the Holy Grail would fit that description.

Not only that, but when Jules shows the contents of the case to Pumpkin, he says, “Is that what I think it is?” which means it couldn’t be Marcellus’ soul or anything else supernatural.

2 Jules Doesn’t Quit The Mob, But Instead Seeks Revenge For Vincent’s Murder

In the final scene of the movie, before it all comes to blows between Pumpkin, Honey Bunny, Vincent, and Jules, Jules explains that he’s quitting the mob for a more enlightening life after he believes what happened to him was an act of god.

However, this theory argues that Jules will return more vengeful than ever when he learns that Vincent, his literal partner in crime, is murdered by Butch. And instead of leaving the life behind him, he’ll go after Butch and murder him himself.

1 Vincent Is A Terrible Hitman

Though he’s actually quite likable, it doesn’t exactly translate over well to Vincent’s career, and why he’s so well-liked by Marcellus is a mystery. One Redditor comments how Vincent is responsible for everything that goes wrong in the movie. And that’s actually a fact, as his substance abuse problem gets Mia into trouble, he accidentally shoots Marvin in the face, and he’s even responsible for getting himself murdered.

But the theory is that Marcellus knows how bad Vincent is at his job, which is why he gives him the easy stuff to do, such as babysitting his wife and simply hanging out at Butch’s old apartment. Vincent just happened to be unlucky when Butch returned to pick up a watch that was left behind.