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That's how Rob Zombie shouted in the 2006 song "The Lords of Salem", and today, in 2013, he proves it to us in a dark horror film: "The Lords of Salem". Once again, the Italians ruin a perfect title with an unreasonably detached translation, but this doesn't concern us. Since its release, the film has received the most diverse opinions from professional critics: many liked the film too much, while for others it seemed like a cinematic failure. As usual, the truth lies in the middle. Few are those who didn't appreciate the style and shots of the film; some have described it as "visually stunning". Indeed, the direction is the major quality of this film, which is, for most of the scenes, a true feast for the eyes (and not just because Sheri Moon Zombie, in the lead role, often appears scantily dressed). Contributing to the spectacle is also a perfect soundtrack, solemn in some scenes, overwhelming when combined with the magnificence of the images shown on screen. With this film, the magnum opus of director Rob Zombie, he presents himself as a true virtuoso of the camera: he demonstrates his artistic taste, leaving the audience astonished. Also appreciable is the complete absence of digital special effects, in favor of handcrafted ones, more credible because they are concrete, and thus more frightening.
The problem of the film is certainly not in its aesthetic aspect but in the plot, trivial and overused for far too long, inadequate for a film and more suited to a short film. Moreover, the narrative focuses on some aspects that are entirely useless to the story's effectiveness, quickly wrapping up very interesting elements that could have constituted the film's body, making it much more unsettling and enjoyable. For example, the entire witch research by the expert character could have been omitted, this detective element that effectively added almost nothing to the plot, whereas more focus could have been placed on the effect of the "Lords'" song on the women of Salem. The central problem of the plot is that there are not enough problems. I don't want to give away spoilers about what happens in the film, but, generally, I would have preferred a deeper psychological introspection... a more suffered progression towards the finale. The film attempts to be a psychological horror and often succeeds! Zombies' clear models are Polanski (in "Rosemary's Baby") and Kubrick (in "The Shining", but also "Eyes Wide Shut"). He himself refers to his style with the words: "Ken Russel (of 'Altered States', ed.) directed by Shining". In fact, the film relies heavily on tension, so much so that it could even seem boring. As in the cited films, there's little violence, and when it occurs, it's often off-frame. Probably, however, a bit of impressive explicit violence (well-made as Zombie knows how to do) wouldn't have ruined the film but improved the overall effect. If viewed with the wrong mindset, this film could even seem ridiculous, stupid when it's actually just the screenplay with clear and definable, limited problems. The scenes set in the past are memorable: the witches' sabbaths like their burning thirst at the stake. Almost all the protagonist's "visions" are memorable. Simply put, you can feel that all these good elements were thrown together haphazardly and not utilized sufficiently. The film has great potential, but very little of that potential was fulfilled.
Particular honorable mention for the deformed creatures, the "monsters", distressing and presented with the utmost seriousness possible. Zombie has taste in the field of horror. Also remarkable is the constant blasphemy throughout the film, which can only offend the most devout Christians.
Would I recommend this film? I have no idea. I knew what to expect and even expected disappointment, so I wasn't that disappointed. I'm a fan of Rob Zombie and horror in general (especially this subgenre!), so it’s a film that fits my tastes. Certainly, the film cannot appeal to the average viewer: it's not a commercial work. Is it an artistic work? Not really, because it has commercial elements that drag it down. Then who might like it? Rob Zombie himself. The film is his pure divertissement, an exaltation of his wife (the first film in which she is the protagonist), a woman he clearly venerates, and a very personal aesthetic delirium. Go watch it only if you're willing to turn off your brain and let yourself be overwhelmed by the intensity of the film's spectacular elements. The film is pulp. A sumptuous pulp.
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