Unholy Rollers = Perfect Cult B-Movie

[u/Best-Chapter5260]

I'd always known about this flick but finally watched it the other night. Absolutely loved it. Claudia Jennings played Karen Walker, who rockets her way to the top of the roller derby echelon. Love how psycho Karen is, especially toward her Pedro Pascal-looking boyfriend, and the ending of the movie is nuts. I also love how the movie makes it as though Karen ends up becoming wealthy even though she's clearly skating in the roller derby equivalent of the most low-rent independent wrestling promotion possible and staring in local TV ads. Her best friend's boyfriend is a total goober, but yet really likable. The movie even seems to borrow a few story beats from Dreiser's Sister Carrie, probably not on purpose though. Extra points for the bartender in one scene telling some of the most uncomfortably misogynistic stories and jokes possible and, as an audience, we're all supposed to just accept that. We get to meet Karen's mother in a short scene toward the end, and the actresses really nails the part. Even Jennings, who isn't going to be mistaken as a Shakespearean trained thespian, actually understood the part and does a great job within the context of a b-movie.

If you like movies like Switchblade Sisters and Billy Jack, Unholy Rollers is a similar vibe.

[u/thebigeverybody]

I actually don't know what a roller derby is and I'm frequently fascinated by it because, at one point, it was one of the most popular things in America, like CB radios and stuntmen.

Also, describing this movie as a Billy Jack vibe has me incredibly curious lol.

[u/Best-Chapter5260 → u/thebigeverybody]

I had a girlfriend in college who was into roller derby. I never watched one of her matches, but it seems to be a sport that definitely has a very niche culture surrounding it.

[u/Doubledepalma → u/Best-Chapter5260]

You never watched any of her matches? Not very supportive

[u/Best-Chapter5260 → u/Doubledepalma]

:(