A High-Speed Chase Between Satanic Cults and RVs
Race with the Devil—a 1975 horror film directed by Jack Starrett—is the kind of movie that says, “Who needs subtlety when you can just throw a Satanic cult, an RV, and a high-speed chase into the mix?” If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to spend your vacation trying to outrun a bunch of death-worshipping, bloodthirsty cultists in rural Texas, this film has all the answers—and they’re all delivered with a side of high-octane action. Think The Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets Dukes of Hazzard, only with way more chanting and far fewer good ol’ boys.
Plot: Satanic Cults, RVs, and Some Very Bad Choices
The premise is simple enough: two couples—Roger and Alice (Peter Fonda and Loretta Swit), and Frank and Kelly (Warren Oates and Lara Parker)—set off on a road trip from San Antonio to Aspen in their trusty RV. They’re here for a good time, maybe some ski slopes, a little downtime, and definitely no time for creepy cults. Unfortunately for them, they stumble upon a Satanic ritual during a camping trip that will haunt them for the rest of the film, as a group of Satanists demands a human sacrifice—because, of course, that’s how cults operate in Texas.
After the horrifying encounter, the couples find themselves on the run from the Satanic cult that has marked them for death. The film becomes a frenetic game of cat and mouse with a series of chases, near-misses, and encounters with creepy townsfolk, all while the couples try to figure out what in the hell they walked into. They can’t trust anyone, and that suspicion only grows as the cult members seem to be lurking around every corner, making their already miserable road trip a living hell. Oh, and let’s not forget the random school bus accident staged by the cult—a ruse so transparent even Frank (Warren Oates) sees through it like a bad magic trick.
The Cast: The Dream Team of Late-‘70s Bad Decisions
You really can’t go wrong with Peter Fonda and Warren Oates, right? It’s like two western legends on a modern-day road trip, though the only thing remotely “cowboy” about their characters is their ability to take a shotgun to Satanists and not break a sweat. Fonda plays Roger, the kind of guy who’s been around the block but never imagined the block would be swarming with satanic lunatics. Oates as Frank is a man of action, constantly one step away from either saving the day or making everything 100% worse. Both men are great in the roles—facing down a cult while still managing to crack wise or exude tough-guy charm, making for a slightly more enjoyable ride than one might expect.
Meanwhile, Loretta Swit (yes, MASH*’s Hot Lips Houlihan) and Lara Parker round out the couple dynamic as their respective wives. Swit plays Alice with a level of suspicion and anxiety that’s barely masked by her quiet determination to survive, while Parker’s Kelly gets to be the emotional center, trying to hold it all together while everyone else loses their minds. It’s a nice balance of personalities, even though their characters are often left to scream, panic, and serve as “damsels in distress”—a bit of a dated trope, but it fits the era.
Action, Horror, and a Heaping Dose of Absurdity
One of the most striking things about Race with the Devil is its blending of genres—horror, action, and even a little bit of road trip comedy. The film starts out as a slow-burn horror flick with ominous vibes, but once the action kicks in, it becomes a full-throttle chase film with all the speed and intensity of a Fast & Furious movie—except instead of cars zooming through the streets, you’ve got a midlife crisis RV being chased by menacing cultists in trucks. The cult itself is more sinister in concept than execution, and while their motivations are delightfully evil (who doesn’t love an old-fashioned human sacrifice?), their actual execution is more Weekend at Bernie’s than The Omen.
That being said, the film has a certain charm that keeps it rolling, thanks in large part to the relentless tension and some impressively bad decision-making by the protagonists. At every turn, they keep choosing the worst possible course of action: from investigating ominous strangers in secluded towns to camping in places that seem like they were specifically chosen for a cult massacre. There’s something deliciously absurd about watching these characters sprint around Texas trying to survive, and it almost becomes a comedy of errors—only this time, the punchline is death by Satanic rituals.
The Final Chase: A Cult That Just Doesn’t Quit
The film’s climax—surrounded by chanting cultists and a ring of fire—feels like the ultimate showdown. It’s not so much that the couple has been caught in an apocalyptic bind, but rather that they just can’t catch a break. The final moments are chaotic and full of pure cinematic fun, making Race with the Devil a perfect example of exploitation horror that’s equal parts stupid fun and darkly absurd.
Conclusion: A Drive-In Classic for the Ages
If you’re looking for a film that combines road-trip thrills, cultish horror, and an overwhelming sense of bad luck, Race with the Devil is the perfect ride. It’s got everything you want from a 1970s cult-horror film—dodgy acting, a mix of tense moments and ridiculous scenarios, and a plot that escalates faster than the RV can hit 60 mph. And while it may not be the most refined piece of horror cinema, it’s undeniably fun, with enough action, ridiculous chases, and bad decisions to keep you hooked.
So, strap in, hold tight, and prepare for a ride that’ll have you both laughing and wondering how on earth these people got themselves into this mess. Race with the Devil is a chaotic, unpretentious slice of horror-action cinema that delivers exactly what it promises: a road trip you’ll never forget.
