Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood resonated profoundly upon its release. The period piece tapped into a longing for Old Hollywood with its story set in the swinging ’60s and featuring the Manson family, arriving just before the industry itself underwent a major transformation. Naturally, the film had other attractions, including Leonardo DiCaprio’s memorable scenes, a roster of rising actresses like Sydney Sweeney and Margaret Qualley, and a standout performance from the young Julia Butters.
For many viewers, however, a major standout was Cliff Booth, the laid-back stunt double portrayed by Brad Pitt. This character is now set to lead his own sequel, The Adventures of Cliff Booth. Although Quentin Tarantino is not in the director’s chair, the project remains a star-studded story set in the 1970s. A preview, which has been partially edited, is available below.
Brad Pitt headlines the new film, which also features Elizabeth Debicki, Scott Caan, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Holt McCallany, and Carla Gugino. Timothy Olyphant is the sole other actor returning from the original film, once again playing the real-life actor James Stacy from Lancer.
The teaser opens with Debicki’s character asking Cliff, “So, you helped Rick subdue those hippie intruders, huh?” to which he replies, “Something like that.” With only sparse dialogue in the trailer, little can be deduced about the movie’s storyline.
What is immediately clear, though, is the visual style. While written by Tarantino, the film is directed by David Fincher of Zodiac fame, who is known for a neo-noir aesthetic. From the outset, Fincher establishes a distinct creative shift, bathing scenes in shadow and creating an atmosphere where even well-lit locations feel obscure.
This stylistic evolution may reflect the passage of time. In contemporary cinema, such dramatic lighting is increasingly prevalent. Furthermore, the story has advanced from the vibrant 1960s to the grittier 1970s, a period marked by the Vietnam War and a cultural shift. Society evolved, and Hollywood changed with it, giving the sequel a tone reminiscent of films like The Nice Guys.
As an initial glimpse, this teaser suggests that future trailers will likely disclose more about the plot, or perhaps show an uncensored cigarette. With a confirmed 2026 release date on Netflix, the full film will be seen soon. There is hope that the Netflix production will also see a significant run in theaters, offering Brad Pitt a cinematic moment akin to Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Sharon Tate.