“Switchblade Sisters” (1975), directed by Jack Hill, delves into the tumultuous lives of high school-aged female gang members. The narrative centers on Maggie, a new student who becomes entangled with the Dagger Debs, the female counterparts to the male gang, the Silver Daggers. After a skirmish leads to their arrest, Maggie’s resilience in juvenile detention earns her the respect of the Dagger Debs’ leader, Lace.
As Maggie integrates into the gang, tensions arise, particularly with Patch, Lace’s close confidante who views Maggie as a threat to her position. Complications intensify when Dominic, Lace’s boyfriend and leader of the Silver Daggers, assaults Maggie, creating a rift between the gang members.
The dynamics shift dramatically when a rival gang, led by the militant and politically radical Muff, challenges the Silver Daggers’ dominance. In the ensuing power struggle, alliances are tested, leading to violent confrontations that blur the lines between friend and foe.
Amidst the chaos, Maggie emerges as a formidable leader, guiding the Dagger Debs through internal betrayals and external threats. The film culminates in a climactic showdown, underscoring themes of loyalty, power, and the complexities of female camaraderie within the gang subculture.