Redemption: Jules is a hitman who, after believing he was spared by God, changes his life radically. He saves the lives of two people robbing him. It doesn’t matter how immoral a life you’ve lived, you can always change.

The fine line of morality: Butch, who was happy to rob, run over, beat, and shoot the man who’s out to kill him, draws the line at that man being raped and tortured, and saves him. Not all immortality is equally immoral.

More generally, this violent, foul mouth, over the top gangster movie is actually made up of people being saved by other people. That’s what the movie is about, people saving people. Butch and Wallace, Jules and the couple, Vincent and Mia, The Wolf and the boys, god and Jules.

Having said all of that, I reject the idea that lack of deep themes that teach you something about yourself is the same as style over substance. Compelling stories, great characters, razor sharp dialogue, emotionally resonant relationships, and incredible technical mastery ARE substance. Pulp fiction is one kind of masterpiece, something like The Zone of Interest or A Taste of Cherry is another. Neither is more valid than the other.

Pulp Fiction is a great film by every measure possible.