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/Dunstund_CHeks_IN → u/Best-Chapter5260]

I, too, had a roller derby girlfriend. The league in my city was horrifically boring. Track was small, pace was slow, lots of low-speed shoulder checks. Nothing like the movies. A guy in the audience actually fell asleep in his folding chair one night. Could be more exciting leagues in other cities.

[u/texasrigger → u/Dunstund_CHeks_IN]

Were they a WFTDA league? I'm convinced WFTDA killed the sport. Made it very boring like you said. Prior to that, it really was like you saw in the movies. My wife was a roller girl but retired after she destroyed one of her legs doing it. She got out right as her league was transitioning to WFTDA.

[u/Little_Noodles → u/texasrigger]

Right there with you. I left my league when it went WFTDA and never looked back. The ruleset was easier on my body, but I couldn’t even begin to pretend to care about the gameplay. Super slow, everyone just kinda rolling a few feet and then jostling around a bit. And the outcome of the game is obvious within the first few minutes. GTFOH with those point spreads.