"No one comes up here without a damn good reason."
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir
The Hateful Eight — Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
The only time black folks are safe, is when white folks is disarmed.
Context
Warren explains to Mannix why he forged the letter, stripping away the illusion of friendship he had with John Ruth.
Meaning
Explains the necessity of the fake Lincoln Letter. It encapsulates the film's commentary on the precarious existence of black Americans in a hostile society.
You only need to hang mean bastards, but mean bastards you need to hang.
Context
Ruth explaining his philosophy on why he brings bounties in alive, unlike Warren.
Meaning
Defines Ruth's moral code. He distinguishes between killing for money and the ritual of justice, a distinction the film constantly tests.
When the handbill says 'dead or alive', the rest of us just shoot you in the back from up on top a perch somewhere... and bring you in dead over a saddle. But when John Ruth the Hangman catches you... you hang!
Context
Warren describing Ruth's unique method to the other passengers in the stagecoach.
Meaning
Establishes John Ruth's reputation and the central theme of the performative nature of 'civilized' justice versus efficient killing.
Whatever you do, don't sell that diamond ring to some injun, cause he's just gonna get drunk and lose it.
Context
Mannix making a racist remark that inadvertently signals he might be telling the truth about being Sheriff (or just a good liar).
Meaning
A darkly comedic line that seemingly reveals a plot hole (how did he know about the ring?) but actually hints at his perceptive nature or racist assumptions, typical of the film's dialogue style.
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