Margot Robbie disclosed that director Quentin Tarantino reprimanded her for not informing her mother about a major plot twist in the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, where her character Sharon Tate survives. The secrecy around this alternate ending was tightly controlled during the movie’s promotion to keep audiences surprised.
Robbie’s Experience Keeping the Ending Confidential
Speaking on the Smartless podcast, Margot Robbie described how she felt upon reading the script’s unexpected conclusion.
“Holy s–t Sharon’s alive. This is such a great alternate universe,”
she recalled thinking. Despite her excitement, Robbie respected the need for confidentiality, making a conscious effort to avoid revealing the twist to anyone.
Tarantino’s Reaction to Robbie’s Silence Toward Her Family
Robbie shared an incident at the Cannes Film Festival where she attended the screening with her mother. After the movie, her mother confessed she had been anxious to watch the film because she feared seeing her daughter’s character killed. Robbie admitted,
“I never breathed a word of how it ended.”
When Tarantino learned her mother had no idea about the twist, he questioned,
“Did your mom like the movie?”
and expressed frustration that Robbie hadn’t told her. Robbie explained,
“You told me not to tell anyone the ending of this movie. I didn’t tell anyone.”
Tarantino insisted,
“Well, at least tell your mom.”
However, Robbie maintained her silence, illustrating the strict confidentiality required by the director.
Robbie’s Career Highlights Following the Role of Sharon Tate
Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Sharon Tate in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is regarded as one of her finest performances. After this role, she gained further acclaim starring in Greta Gerwig’s 2023 Barbie, which received a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Currently, Robbie stars alongside Jacob Elordi in Emerald Fennell’s controversial adaptation of Emily Brönte’s novel Wuthering Heights.
The Impact of Keeping Film Secrets
The strict secrecy demanded by Quentin Tarantino not only heightened anticipation for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood but also demonstrated the pressures actors face to maintain confidentiality, even from close family members. Robbie’s experience underscores the tension between professional obligations and personal connections in high-profile projects. With her continuing string of notable roles, Robbie remains a prominent figure in Hollywood capable of delivering transformative performances while navigating intense scrutiny.
