Evil Come Evil Go (1972) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

In a stark, sun‑bleached stretch of Los Angeles, a city known for its glittering promises becomes the backdrop for a raw, unflinching meditation on faith turned obsession. The streets hum with the rhythm of buskers and the murmur of sermons whispered from sidewalk corners, while an undercurrent of dread seeps through the neon‑lit alleys. The film’s tone is deliberately hard‑edged, blending gritty realism with a ritualistic atmosphere that feels both intimate and unsettling, as hymn‑like chants echo against cracked storefronts.

Sarah Jane Butler strides through this world with the certainty of a prophet, convinced that a divine mandate compels her to purge what she perceives as moral corruption. Her presence is magnetic and unnerving, a hymn‑humming figure whose fanaticism is wrapped in a veneer of serene devotion. When she encounters Penny, a young lesbian navigating the delicate balance of love and parental expectations, the two form a charged partnership that blurs the line between mentorship and domination. Their dynamic is built on a fragile mix of reverence, control, and a shared yearning to amplify a singular, extreme vision.

The duo’s ambitions stretch beyond the pavement, hinting at grander schemes that could broadcast their doctrine to a wider audience. They speak of television projects, public performances, and a self‑styled “Sacred Order,” suggesting a desire to institutionalize their creed. This escalating pursuit of influence creates a claustrophobic tension, as each character wrestles with their own desires and the weight of the other’s expectations, leaving the audience to wonder how far their devotion can go before it eclipses their humanity.

Through its atmospheric cinematography and relentless, hymn‑like score, the film invites viewers into a world where belief and brutality intertwine, and where the promise of salvation becomes a precarious dance on the edge of obsession. The presence of a quiet guitarist lingering on the periphery adds an ominous, watchful rhythm, underscoring the uneasy partnership that drives the story forward.