FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL! (1965) Thoughts & Review
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965) Is a Wild, Campy Ride with Cult Charm and Feminist Bite
Russ Meyer's Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is the kind of film that earns its cult status with sheer attitude. It’s over-the-top, loud, and not exactly polished — but that’s all part of its wild charm. With its fierce female leads and desert-set chaos, it’s a gloriously messy B-movie that punches well above its weight when it comes to style and subtext.
What Works:
Iconic Performances with Big Energy
Tura Satana as Varla is an absolute force of nature. She owns every scene with a mix of cool confidence and raw aggression that still feels bold today. The trio of go-go dancers turned desert outlaws has charisma for days, and even when the plot goes off the rails, they keep it fun.
Unapologetic Style and Camp Appeal
This movie knows what it is: pulpy, provocative, and proud of it. The black-and-white cinematography adds a stylish edge, and the dialogue is full of snappy, quotable one-liners. It’s the kind of film where you just have to lean in and enjoy the ride.
Surprisingly Progressive Themes (for 1965)
Beneath the camp and chaos, Faster, Pussycat! has some surprisingly bold things to say about gender roles and female agency. The women in this movie are unapologetically in control of themselves, their desires, and their violence. It flips a lot of exploitation tropes on their head, even if it still operates within that world.
What Doesn’t Work:
Thin Plot and Pacing Issues
Let’s be honest. The story here is more of an excuse to string together wild scenes than a fully fleshed-out narrative. There’s not a lot of depth to the characters or their motivations, and some sections drag despite the short runtime.
My Takeaway:
At its heart, Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is about power: who has it, how it’s used, and what happens when women seize it without apology. It plays with ideas of violence, sexuality, and freedom in ways that feel oddly ahead of their time, even if the film itself doesn’t always handle them with nuance. It’s messy, yes, but there’s something radical in that mess.
Final Thoughts:
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is far from perfect, but it’s definitely unforgettable. It’s the kind of movie that became iconic because it dared to be loud, weird, and different, and because it gave us women who took control, kicked ass, and didn’t care what anyone thought about it. Not everyone will love it, but for fans of cult cinema, it’s a must-see.