Watching this again after a long gap made me realise what a masterpiece it is.
The Southern Gothic tone, and the sheer weirdness of the central character's anti-religious religiosity, make for a fascinating presentation of Flannery O'Connor's cult fiction. Brad Dourif is one of the few actors who could have pulled off this level of intensity and manic strangeness. It's a shame that he has had so few lead roles in his career.
There is something very contemporary about the way in which the population of the town is drawn towards hucksters like the men played by Harry Dean Stanton and Ned Beatty (both brilliant). It's how Trump started and how he still proceeds.
Unfortunately for his physical and mental health, Hazel Moats is the real deal, not a huckster.