Rob Zombie Hates His Own Best Movie Now on Prime Video; Says Its “A calamitous mess”
Rob Zombie’s cinematic output has always been divisive. Strangers on the Internet have nearly come to blows repeatedly, arguing the merit (or lack thereof) of his work. That’s news to no one. However, I was slightly surprised to learn that Zombie agrees with the haters regarding his directorial debut, House of 1000 Corpses. Now that it’s on Prime Video, could it be time for a reappraisal?
“The first film [I directed], which people seem to love, is just a calamitous mess,” Zombie told Screen Rant. “Well, when it came out, it seemed like everyone hated it. Now, everyone acts like it’s beloved in some way. All I see is flaw, upon flaw, upon flaw… upon flaw.”
I understand the tendency to be a harsh critic of one’s work. When I reflect on my output, I sometimes cringe at perceived imperfections and obsess over what I might have done differently. However, I am a die-hard fan of House of 1000 Corpses. Sure, it’s not a perfect film. But the frenetic energy and unrestrained debauchery make it an enjoyable effort. His appreciation for exploitation cinema is palpable and shines through.
I previously discussed the picture’s merits in a Dread Central editorial. Here is an excerpt from that piece.
All in, Zombie’s feature film debut isn’t without its issues. But the flick serves up a sleazy tone and visual aesthetic that makes it feel very much like a lost export from the grindhouse days. House of 1000 Corpses captures the essence of a bygone era and serves as a loving nod to the films exploitation enthusiasts grew up devouring.
Although Zombie can’t seem to see past his debut feature’s flaws, I will never stop arguing that it should be more celebrated than it is.
Zombie’s grisly tale of satanic misdeeds unfolds as follows: Two young couples traveling across the backwoods of Texas searching for urban legends of murder end up as prisoners of a bizarre and sadistic backwater family of serial killers.
The trailer is embedded below for anyone in need of a refresher. If you’re due to rewatch the film from front to back, you can find House of 1000 Corpses streaming on Prime Video as of the publication of this post.
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