The Devil’s Rejects
The Devil’s Rejects doesn’t hold any punches. Directed by Rob Zombie and starring Sheri Moon Zombie, Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, and William Forsythe this movie takes you on a violent, wild ride. When a police raid on the Firefly family home leads to the arrest of Mother Firefly, she is left to deal with the vicious sheriff, whilst the rest of the family make a run for it.
Whilst not a Western, and never advertised as one, it has a peppering of western feels, from the house to the gunfights to the grittiness. Couldn’t help thinking Ned Kelly in that first shoot out. Much more violent than the average western – it pretty much wipes the floor with most horrors too. The ‘1970’s dressing like a cowboy’ rather than ‘1800’s gotta wear this because it’s practical and all I have’ keeps it firmly in the horror category for me.
Sid Haig’s Captain Spaulding -with the make-up on, and no I’m not afraid of clowns- kinda creeps me out and I can’t quite put my finger on why. But this movie keeps you guessing and even in the slower scenes keeps moving forward. It has a few big speeches and dialogue that reminded me of Tarantino in places. And a moment right there in the last third where you start wondering who you’re rooting for. You start wondering who the bad guys really are – despite everything that’s happened. This film is really good at messing with your head. Enjoyed it more this time around than I did the first time I watched it.
The Devil’s Rejects Review Conclusion
I have watched it again – The Devil’s Rejects definitely requires a certain frame of mind to watch. It’s not a Sunday afternoon movie but there’s something about it that keeps me coming back -every now and then- to view it again.
4 stars
Your Suggestions Wanted: know a Weird West or Western Horror (or even a horror with a gritty western feel) I might enjoy? Let me know in the comments or Tweet it at me. You can find me on Twitter @KateTrinity or @AuthorKTMcQueen
Horror and Fantasy Author – Also writing as K.T. McQueen. Love Western Horror, cowboy boots, my cactus Collin, & my Demon Cat.
Moths – I hate moths, the way they flutter at your face!
