Why This Classic Thriller About a Texas Killer Cult is a Must-Watch

In 1982, George Strait sang a song about leaving San Antonio to try and make it to Amarillo, Texas. Seven years before that, two couples set out from San Antonio in an RV on what was supposed to be the vacation of a lifetime. Instead, they wound up on the receiving end of some satanic shenanigans, in an epic car chase, and sharing an RV with a rather unhappy rattlesnake. It's the killer cult in Texas feel-good movie of the 1970s that you have to see.

Forget Amarillo By Morning And Race With The Devil Instead

In 1975, Race With The Devil was unleashed on audiences. It's a fun blend of action and horror that stars Peter Fonda and Warren Oates. The plot is pretty straightforward. Two couples team up in an RV to take on the vacation of a lifetime. I'm not sure that sharing an RV with another couple is really that great of a vacation idea, but different people get up to different things. Who am I to judge?

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Unfortunately for our fun-seeking couples, some satanic cult in deep rural Texas decides to rain on their parade. In the cult's defense, the revelers did invite themselves to a ritual murder sacrifice. I'm no expert but I imagine showing up uninvited to a murder ritual isn't the way you make friends with the local goth kids.

The fun gets cranked to eleven when the cultists decide to pursue the couples and we get one of the coolest car chase scenes featuring an RV in Hollywood history. We also get surprise snakes in the RV, some creepy hicks, and plenty of action. Amarillo becomes a focal point in the film as the couples try to find something that resembles safety. It's a fun twist on the road trip from San Antonio to try and make Amarillo by sunrise.

Why Race With The Devil Is A Must-See Texas Horror

Race With The Devil is classic Hollywood campy horror. Everything is over the top. I don't want to give away too much of the film in case you haven't seen it, but if you love a good "car chase" flick, this one involves Satan, an RV, and some grumpy rattlesnakes. How could you not love it?

Peter Fonda and Warren Oates are fantastic as vacationing revelers turned into cult-fighting action heroes. There are plenty of moments in the film that should "shock" you that illicit giggles instead. One of my favorites involves the dog. The dialog at times is so bad it's perfect. Every stereotypical cult trope gets some screen time. This film is a masterpiece. The best part for me is that it's George Strait's post-rodeo road trip song; with more violence and less introspective sadness. Race With The Devil is a solid 4/5 for me, and one that everyone should see at least once.