Internet Janitor
This movie is a lot. From writer-director, Rob Zombie comes something that is almost unheard of a sequel that’s just as good as the original. It was House of 1000 Corpses which brought Zombie into the spotlight of the genre. Unfortunately, he’s mostly dormant now, thanks to toxic little Internet trolls that harassed him enough to basically retire.
The Devil’s Rejects picks up an interminable time after the horrific events of House of 1,000 Corpses. A psychotic sheriff (played by William Forsythe from Dick Tracy) has tracked down the Firefly clan to exterminate them for the death of his brother in the first movie. Otis (played by Bill Moseley from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2) and Baby (played by Sheri Moon Zombie from The Lords of Salem) manage to make it out alive and are joined by Captain Spalding (played by Sid Haig from Kill Bill Vol 2) on the run.
Before I get into it, I cannot help but geek out at the legendary cast that Zombie has corralled for this feature. You have Leslie Easterbrook, who played Sgt. Callahan is in the Police Academy movies, and Priscilla Barnes from Threes Company (yes, you read that right) is in a role you cannot possibly imagine. Next, there is Ken Foree from the original Dawn of the Dead, Michael Berryman from the original The Hills Have Eyes and finally, the mighty Danny Trejo from Desperado. There’s more sprinkled within the film that you’ll have to sniff out.
First things first. I imagine there are many triggers in this movie for people, and if you’re expecting a horror film like the over-the-top one like House of 1,000 Corpses, then you’re in for a surprise. There are many deeply uncomfortable parts here. Bill Moseley plays quite possibly one of the most terrifying men in horror history. With his intensity and the look in his eyes, you can see he’s fully become this character. While you’re pretty sure he’s not going to climb through the screen you cannot say that for sure.
This is Zombie’s best-shot film. It’s gritty. Entirely completely different from House of 1,000 Corpses. He’s grown as a filmmaker here and dives into a deeply unsettling journey of terrifying people. Hats off to William Forsythe as well, who goes toe-to-toe with Moseley in intensity to the level you almost root for the rejects. Almost.
This is not for everyone. It’s brutal. But a brutality you cannot turn away from.