The Lords Of Salem is by far the strangest thing that Rob Zombie has ever done. Think about that statement for a second. It is a bizarre, utterly fascinating film. However, it is also a film that mistakes a creepy atmosphere for genuine scares and it will most likely leave you exhausted rather than enthralled. This is not to say that it's a bad film...just that Zombie may have been a bit too weird for his own good this time.
The film stars Sheri Moon Zombie as Heidi...one of the three hosts of the town of Salem, Massachusetts's popular radio show. One day...she gets sent a suspicious box containing a record. It is from a band named The Lords. When Heidi plays the record...the violent acts of the town come crawling back to her. It is then that she wonders whether the record is from an actual band or from vengeful spirits of the former townspeople.
One of the main problems I had with the film is that it leaves the audience no mystery. This is not because the film is predictable. Rather...it's because they say right away what would have been great for the audience to wonder. Sure...we get a few mind tricks with Heidi imagining things that aren't really there but once the mysterious gets unraveled early on...the film is never as exciting. As well...the film is exhausting to sit through. It's as if there is too much of a good thing here as ideas are piled on top of each other to the point where it all becomes overwhelming.
The film is actually decent, though. Zombie gives a great performance and shows that she can be a truly intimidating and effective actress. Bruce Davison has an excellent role as a suspicious journalist. Also...although the film never produces much in the way of genuine scares...there are a lot of scenes where the atmosphere of the story alone gives you chills. Take Heidi walking down a dark street or sitting alone in her apartment.
Although it does get a bit too wacky and ridiculous at the end...there is something oddly appealing about The Lords Of Salem. Not everything works in it but it does strangely grip you into its story. Zombie and Davison are both excellent and the film is quite enjoyable most of the time. It's just that I was it had a bit more substance.
(3 and 1/2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for disturbing violent and sexual content, graphic nudity, language and some drug use)
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