The California Kid

Year: 1974

Runtime: 74 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard T. Heffron

ActionHorrorThriller

In this isolated community, a speeding ticket is a death sentence. The corrupt sheriff deliberately turns the winding mountain road into a lethal trap, killing any motorist who dares to exceed the limit. When a victim’s brother arrives in his hot‑rod, he investigates his sibling’s death and aims to expose the ruthless lawman.

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The California Kid (1974) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The California Kid (1974), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:50

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Movies about corrupt small towns like The California Kid

An outsider exposes the dark secrets festering within an isolated community.If you liked the tense confrontation in The California Kid, explore more movies where an outsider investigates corruption in an isolated community. These similar thrillers and crime stories feature dangerous secrets, murderous local authorities, and a quest for justice against overwhelming odds.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows an outsider, often motivated by personal loss, who enters a closed community dominated by a corrupt leader. Through investigation, they uncover a conspiracy the townsfolk either fear or tacitly accept, leading to a high-stakes confrontation where the outsider must challenge the established power to achieve justice.

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Movies are grouped here for their shared setting of a morally bankrupt small town, the central conflict of one person against a corrupt system, and the tense, dangerous atmosphere created by the abuse of power and the protagonist's vulnerable investigation.

Revenge thrillers with a quest for justice like The California Kid

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Narrative Summary

The story begins with a grievous personal wrong, often a murder, that motivates the hero. They are typically a skilled individual who methodically pursues the villain, who is established as ruthless and powerful. The plot builds steadily towards a climactic, action-oriented showdown where the protagonist achieves their goal.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The California Kid

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More About The California Kid

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