The contents of the briefcase in Pulp Fiction are never shown in the movie, and director Quentin Tarantino has intentionally left it up to interpretation. The briefcase is considered a MacGuffin, which is an object that propels a story forward without necessarily having any significance of its own. There are many theories about what could be in the briefcase, but none of them have been confirmed. Some of the most popular theories include:
- Marcellus Wallaces soul: This theory suggests that the briefcase contains Marcellus Wallace's soul, which he sold to the Devil in exchange for his success as a gangster.
- Cold hard cash: Another theory is that the briefcase is full of money, which is a motivating factor throughout the entire film for various characters.
- God: One theory suggests that the briefcase contains God.
- An Oscar: A more tongue-in-cheek theory is that the briefcase contains an Oscar that Marcellus Wallace stole for his wife, Mia Wallace, who is a failed actress. The Oscar is supposedly for Quentin Tarantino's efforts.
Ultimately, the contents of the briefcase are left up to interpretation, and the importance of the briefcase lies in the fact that the criminals in the story will do anything to get it.
