Rob Zombie’s ‘The Devil’s Rejects’ (2005) – Retro Review

There are certain moments in my life that I will always remember clearly. One of those memories was the first time I saw Rob Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects. It doesn’t matter that I’ve watched this film a hundred thousand times; I am still in awe every time I check it out. There is magic behind it. While the rest of the world sees Rob Zombie’s films as a joke, I embrace them without a second thought. That’s right, I said it… I love all of his movies. The Devil’s Rejects is at the top of the food chain as my favorite film he has directed. Let me explain why.

Synopsis

The murderous, backwoods Firefly family take to the road to escape the vengeful Sheriff Wydell, who is not afraid of being as ruthless as his target. Along the way, they fulfill their blood thirsty nature in brutal ways.

Cheers To The Underdog

House of 1000 Corpses stole our hearts years before we were given The Devil’s Rejects. Some may see it as a ripoff of the Texas Chain Saw Massacre franchise. If you followed Leatherface’s reign of terror, you would know that, honestly, these movies are nothing alike.

When The Devil’s Rejects hit theaters, my friends and I were foaming at the mouth for it. We cheered as the Firefly family took arms against the police in an insane way. The movie even twists and turns within the first five minutes. I don’t think any of us were ready to see the police get the upper hand. We wanted more brutality, and we weren’t let down. The film instantly became iconic to all of us.

There was a tinge of realism in The Devil’s Rejects. You just know that with the way the world is, this could have easily been a true story.

I can still smile from the nostalgia. I have a hard time believing that this film is twenty years old, because each time I watch it, I learn or see something new. The setting is a rural wasteland with an occasional pit stop. The film was aimed at life in the nineteen-seventies, and it nailed the assignment. The Devil’s Rejects played with the idea of constant suspense. The film goes from zero to 60 in a matter of moments, and it didn’t slow down. However long you waited, you knew something was about to happen, and it always takes you by surprise.

In The End

I always have fond memories of some of the best times of my life when I watch The Devil’s Rejects. I can actually get emotional knowing how far away I am now from those friends I loved when I first watched this film. It will always stay in a very special place in my heart, even though the story is a bit psychotic. I hope one day, people see the magic in it that I do. Gatekeeping can steer you away from some great moments in the horror genre.

The Devil’s Rejects is still in regular rotation for me, and I watch it at least twice a month. Sometimes, I just put it on for background noise when I am working on projects. I hope there are people out there who find the same magic in films. It can take you back to so many places and times.