The Lords of Salem
Dir: Rob Zombie
Starring: Sheri Moon Zombie, Meg Foster,
Bruce Davison, Dee Wallace,
Judy Geeson, and Ken Foree
Judy Geeson, and Ken Foree
It’s difficult to surprise the horror film fan, especially
when so many of the films being produced are remakes or sequels. Though the claim
of originality will be called into question on many accounts, if a film does
something different away from mainstream norms the effects for horror are
typically more appreciated. Rob Zombie is an impressive fan when it comes to
the genre; his applications within his films, though sometimes flawed, have displayed touches of unique and inspired talent. Lords of Salem is unlike past films in Zombie’s catalog, his
penchant for gore and violence far more restrained and substituted for a
welcome addition of startling imagery and obscured narrative suggestions.
Though these elements mix with varying degrees of success the film is still an interesting rendition of horror.

Zombie seems to have pulled influence from numerous realms
of horror. While many of Heidi’s visions of Salem’s bewitched past seem
influenced by films like Haxan (1922) or
The Devils (1971), the overall design
feels reminiscent of late 70’s horror. The atmosphere of Salem is lifeless, a
town shrouded in a blanket of grey and black. Heidi's apartment complex composes with intricate wall papered hallways while inside her bedroom she sleeps under a floor to ceiling portrait of George Melies smiling moon. The design aspects are detailed and give the film
a unique texture.

Lords of Salem is
a uneven film; sometimes peaked with startling potential and other moments lost
within a flood of images. Still, horror fans, keeping an open mind, should give
this film an opportunity as it is unlike any other horror film marketed in the
mainstream today.
Monte’s Rating
3.25 out of 5.00
*This is NOT a film for the casual fan.
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