Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is A Grindhouse Classic That Never Loses Its Cool
If you’re into wild, offbeat cinema with a rebellious streak, Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is a must-see. Released in 1965, this cult classic is a Grindhouse gem packed with attitude, action, and some of the coolest characters to hit the silver screen. Directed by Russ Meyer, it’s a film that screams “oddball” in the best way possible — part power trip, part desert adventure, and completely unforgettable. On top of all of that, it’s black and white too. Normally, no color is not a big selling point for me, but in this case, I love it. Right off the top of my head, the original Nosferatu, Dracula, Dementia 13, and Carnival of Souls are some other films missing color that I liked. Anyway, grab the keys to your muscle car, a bottle of water, and your judo gi so we can jump into my thoughts on Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!.
A First Encounter Worth Remembering
My introduction to Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! was at a Kate Nash concert in North Carolina. Kate had TVs on stage playing what I’m pretty sure was this movie. The vibe fit — a bold, women-power flick that felt right at home before her performance featuring her all-female band. Even if you’ve never seen it, anyone familiar with offbeat cinema has at least heard of this movie. It’s a staple in the world of weird, cool films. There’s a shop downtown where I live that has a poster from Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, which I think is authentic, on display. It is marked “Not for Sale” too. Rob Zombie sampled from this classic film in his song “Thunderkiss 65” among others. You can read more on this here. I said all that to say that I had been exposed to Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! long before I had seen it.
Women in Charge and Wild in the B&W Desert
From the opening monologue to the final showdown, this movie doesn’t pull any punches. It’s got a raw, Quentin Tarantino-esque energy — before Tarantino was even on the scene. The desert setting feels like an abandoned playground where anything can happen. There’s no law, no safety net — just a sunbaked wasteland where only the toughest survive. The film’s gang of go-go dancers doubling as criminals — led by the fierce and unforgettable Varla (played by Tura Satana) — dominates every scene. These girls are tough, stylish, and armed with fast cars and sharp tongues. Varla’s all-black attire and jet-black hair create a stark contrast against the film’s black-and-white visuals. Meanwhile, Haji’s dark hair and Billie’s lighter look round out a striking trio. To me, the black and white film as opposed to color works well with these visuals and gives Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! some of its aura.
Fast Cars & Go-Go Dancing in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
If you’re into vintage car culture, Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! has plenty to offer. The girls are constantly racing around in their gritty, tough classic cars built for speed. It’s like a twisted version of Rebel Without a Cause, complete with chicken-racing scenes, old-school gas stations, and yes, occasionally a knife. The adventure opens with a go-go dancing sequence and awesome monologue that sets the tone (watch this in the video below), and the vibes stay consistent. Prior to a desert race for dominance, the girls go-go dance to their car’s stereo. I always found Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!’s choice of vehicles odd. You can read about these selections here. You would expect Camaros, Mustangs, and GTOs but, no. Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is a cult film dream, with a soundtrack full of horns and twisted melodies that feel tailor-made for a film of this style.
Villains, Victims, and Crooked Characters
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!’s story itself is a wild ride. Three leading ladies — criminals themselves — end up crossing paths with an equally twisted family in the desert. The patriarch (a bitter old man in a wheelchair) manipulates his mentally challenged son while spouting lines that feel ripped from Scarface at times. The tension builds as the girls go toe-to-toe with this dysfunctional crew, making it feel like a desert-bound chess match where everyone’s a villain in their own way. At one point, there’s even a classic Rob Zombie-style twist where a victim’s would-be rescuer turns out to be part of the same twisted family. It’s chaotic, violent, completely unpredictable, and out of the mid-1960s. Bad guys trying to out bad guy other bad guys in a free for all desert landscape always seems to make for a good story.
Tura Satana: Rosie the Riveter on Steroids
Tura Satana’s Varla is the driving force behind this film. Tura was a character in real life. She claimed to have turned down a marriage proposal from Elvis, for instance. I’m a fan of her style but, I must question some tales. I don’t see any woman from this era turning down Elvis Presley. Some people are not bewildered by a sex symbol but, Elvis Presley? Really? You have a mediocre acting career going, you’re a somewhat attractive, and you are, one, asked for your hand in marriage by Elvis and then say “no” to him? I’m not buying it. Tura Satana, in my opinion, told a lot of tall tales. While her fight scenes aren’t exactly Bruce Lee-level choreography, her judo moves pack a punch because she was a martial artist, which I do believe. Read more about her life here and make your own judgments.
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is a Must-See and Favorite
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!’s effects are wonderfully cheesy — think Adam West’s Batman series with exaggerated sound effects and over-the-top fight scenes. The final showdown even uses a car as a weapon, which is as ridiculous as it is entertaining. One death by car scene features the wheelchair bound father and wow, it was cheesy. Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is pure Grindhouse gold. I’ve watched it two or three times, and I’ll watch it again and again. Whether you’re zoning in on the wild story or just letting it play in the background while hanging out, it’s always a good time. If you haven’t seen Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! yet, you’re missing out. It’s a cult classic that deserves a spot on any movie buff’s watchlist — weird, wild, and unforgettable. You can watch this film for free on YouTube below.
I’ve painted Varla before — years ago — but no one’s scooped it up yet, which surprises me. With all the cool visual elements — 1960s belly shirts, vintage cars, and striking character designs — it’s the kind of movie that practically forces an artist to create. I may revisit Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! for some new figure studies or oil painting practice later. Anyway, you’re invited to follow my art journey on social media, visit my website, read more of my blogs on odd films, and consider supporting and buying my art here. Peace.