31 (2016)

Rob Zombie's latest horror film brings you what you have come to expect out of Zombieland, a campy homage to 70s horror with today's new standard graphic depictions of terror.

Ready for a spoiler filled synopsis? On Halloween 1976, eight fun loving carnies are traveling in their RV through the desert on their way to their next gig. After some shenanigans in the van, they stop for gas. During the rest stop, there are some ominous creepy encounters that take place, but are mostly ignored. They get back in the RV and continue driving. During the night, they come upon a road blocked by scarecrow looking things, while investigating they're attacked and some are murdered while the rest are kidnapped. The kidnapped awake chained up in an ornate room where three aristocratically dressed people tell them they have been chosen to participate in their annual game of 31.

The game of 31 requires the winner to survive 12 hours in an underground labyrinth like factory compound known as Murderworld. The remaining kidnapped carnies are each armed with a weapon and are being hunted by clown like killers known as the Heads. Sick-Head, Psycho-Head, Schizo-Head, Sex-Head, Death-Head and Doom-Head. The three aristocrats running the game, place ongoing wagers and odds on who will survive the longest, because no one has ever survived and escaped. The prize for surviving is their freedom.

This is not my favorite Rob Zombie film, that would still have to be House of 1000 Corpses. What I did enjoy was the strong female role played by Sheri Moon Zombie. She kicks some serious butt. The only clown killer worth mentioning was Doom-Head, that dude was seriously creepy. Like, get under your skin sadistic. The overall film is brutal and at times, over the top which is actually when I felt I could breathe. It takes elements from the following films: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1 and 2, I Spit on Your Grave, Halloween as well as Hostel and Saw, You may also find other connections and homages. You will probably find yourself feeling like you have seen all of this before. Well, in one way or another, you have. If you want a horror ride, buy the ticket.

I watched the film on VOD the weekend it was released. If you really want to see on the big screen, there is one more chance this Thursday night, October 20th at select theaters.