Condemned-Soul Review of Race with the Devil

Race with the Devil (1975)

Never quite takes advantage of its creepy premise, but a good opening and a violent finale make it worthy viewing

[7/10 · 16 August 2018]

Starring Peter Fonda and Warren Oates as the likeable leads, 'Race with the Devil' is about two vacationing couples who find themselves pursued by a satanic cult after witnessing a ritualistic murder. With a strong beginning, the film unfortunately never quite capitalises on its spine-tingling premise, and true sequences of horror and terrorisation you may expect from the plot description never quite come to fruition. The plot meanders at a stately pace after the sacrifice and escape, trying to envelope proceedings with paranoia and fear at every opportunity. Every local seems to be part of the creepy cult, and yet they seem intent on playing games with their victims rather than outright laying on scares or kills. But 'Race with the Devil' makes up for any flaws and narrative shortcomings with a tensely staged car chase in the finale. Vehicular destruction and admirable stunts present themselves in the final scenes, and its pleasing to see the cultists finally shift into their endgame and come at the protagonists with aggressive determination. There are deaths, explosions, and barrel rolls to keep up the tension, and just when it seems the main cast has escaped the clutches of evil, a surprising and clever twist makes us realise the true horror the film alluded to earlier: everyone in the vicinity including police is seemingly ensnared in devil worship. The final image is a creepy downer reminiscent of The Wicker Man, and makes 'Race with the Devil' a low-key recommendation. 7/10