Uma Thurman reveals why she avoided action roles after 'Kill Bill'

Uma Thurman has candidly reflected on her complicated relationship with on-screen violence, admitting she does not “particularly like” it despite starring in some of cinema’s most iconic action films, including Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Kill Bill: Volume 2.

In a recent interview with InStyle, the actress said her personal sensibilities differ from the genre that helped define her career.

“Some people really like it; I don’t like it,” she explained, noting that she only appreciates violence when it is presented as “artful movement,” comparable to an extraordinary dance performance.

That perspective shaped her decision to step away from action roles for nearly two decades.

Thurman revealed she developed a personal framework for evaluating such projects, only returning when the material felt “motivated,” “beautiful,” and authentically executed.

Her selective return includes projects like Pretty Lethal, a stylized thriller blending ballet and horror.

The film sees Thurman starring alongside younger actors, an experience she described as unexpectedly moving, as she praised their “commitment and passion.”

In recent years, Thurman has gradually re-entered the action space, including her role in The Old Guard 2, starring alongside Charlize Theron.

However, she has remained deliberate in her choices, previously explaining that she avoided a string of lesser action films to protect the legacy of her work post-Kill Bill.

Rather than chasing genre expectations, Thurman said she chose to explore different roles over the years, allowing her career to evolve on her own terms.