The Devil's Rejects

 

Date Of Release: 22nd July 2005

Director: Rob Zombie

Producer: Rob Zombie, Mike Elliott, Michael Ohoven, Andy Gould, Marco Mehlitz

Starring: Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie, Ken Foree, Matthew McGrory, William Forsythe

Running Time: 109 minutes

Distributor: Liongate

Review

This film is the follow up to Rob Zombie’s 2003 release “House of 1000 corpses”. Known for its sadistic humour and its relentless antiheroes, it has become one of the biggest cult films out there. The film is dedicated to the memory of actor Matthew McGrory (who played Tiny Firefly), who died after the film was made.

If you were a fan of Zombie’s first movie then you will love this. It is based on a family on the run from the law after being issued for over 75 homicides and disappearances over the past few years. They go on a murderous rampage which ends in an ultimate showdown. First off, the production for this film is a lot better than the first, appearing more like a movie rather than a snuff film. The film is set in the 70’s and it does very well to make sure that it appears that way too, you almost feel like you are actually watching it from that period. What I love about this film most is its complete simplicity. There is no over acting, there are minimal special effects and to be fair, this could actually happen in real life which is what makes it a horror. Same goes with the script and the storyline, very simple yet completely effective. It’s not to everyone’s taste, some feel that it is too graphic or too sadistic but that’s life and that is what is shown in this movie.

The most poignant part is definitely the end. I won’t give it away but it does go out to Lynard Skynard’s Freebird. A lot of the scenes are quite gorey but it is covered by a dark sadistic humour that makes you take the side of the bad guys almost. Captain Spaulding is back and, being a fan favourite, does not fail to deliver. You get to see a different side to the family than what you did in the first, dare I say it almost makes them look human! The soundtrack is perfect also, with Zombie sticking to a very southern rock based soundtrack.

This film does not claim to be the best thing ever made nor does it try to play to typical Hollywood horror stereotypes. This is what gives it the cult following that it deserves! If you are easily offended then I say, man up and watch it!!

Rating: 9/10 – The Devil certainly won’t be rejecting this one!!