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Kill Bill

Kill Bill is a two-part American martial arts film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, originally conceived as a single film and released as Volume 1 (2003) and Volume 2 (2004).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kill Bill is a two-part American martial arts film series written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, released as Volume 1 in 2003 and Volume 2 in 2004. The story follows a former assassin known as the Bride, who seeks revenge against the people who tried to kill her and her unborn child.

Premise

The films follow a former assassin, the Bride, after she wakes from a coma and begins a revenge campaign against Bill and the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad.

Production and release

Kill Bill was originally conceived as one film, but its runtime led to a split release as Volume 1 in 2003 and Volume 2 in 2004.

Title and structure

The two-volume format is part of the film’s official release history, though Tarantino has referred to the project as one film divided into chapters.

Legacy

The series has an associated combined cut, The Whole Bloody Affair, which has been shown in limited contexts and reflects the original single-film conception.

Key facts

  • Kill Bill was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.
  • It was released as two films: Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Kill Bill: Volume 2.
  • The story centres on the Bride, played by Uma Thurman.
  • The Bride seeks revenge after an attack on her and her unborn child.
  • A combined version titled Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair exists and includes both volumes.
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Canadian context

Kill Bill has been widely released and discussed in Canada as part of mainstream international cinema, but there is no Canada-specific setting or Canadian creative lead associated with the film series in the sources provided.

Frequently asked questions

Who directed Kill Bill?
Quentin Tarantino directed Kill Bill.
What is Kill Bill about?
It is about the Bride, a former assassin who seeks revenge on the people who attacked her and killed her unborn child.
How many Kill Bill movies are there?
There are two released films: Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Kill Bill: Volume 2.
Who is the Bride in Kill Bill?
The Bride is the main character, later identified as Beatrix Kiddo, and she is played by Uma Thurman.
What order should I watch Kill Bill?
Watch them in release order: Volume 1 first, then Volume 2.
Is there a Kill Bill Volume 3?
No third film has been released. Tarantino has discussed the possibility of a Volume 3, but it remains unmade.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill_Bill:_The_Whole_Bloody_Affair
    Supports: Tarantino as writer-director; original single-film conception; Bride premise; combined cut.
  2. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill_Bill
    Supports: Two-volume release history; Tarantino comments about a possible Volume 3.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Tarantino
    Supports: Tarantino wrote and directed Kill Bill; single-film-split-into-two-volumes framing.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kill-Bill-Vol-1
    Supports: Tarantino directed the films and the plot centres on a trained assassin's revenge.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kill_bill_vol_1
    Supports: Bride wakes from coma after an attempted murder on her wedding day; revenge premise.
  6. The Quentin Tarantino Archives — https://www.tarantino.info/wiki/kill-bill/
    Supports: Original single-film concept; two-volume release; whole affair version.