Movie Review: Rob Zombie’s 3 From Hell (2019)
Film: 3 From Hell (2019)
Director: Rob Zombie
Cast: Sheri Moon Zombie (Baby), Bill Moseley (Otis), Sig Haig (Captain Spaulding) and Richard Brake (Winslow)
Spoilers Ahead!
The more I try to assemble my thoughts for this review, the more I’m forced to put it off because my feelings about this movie are at a crossroads. On one side, I feel like Rob Zombie successfully created a movie that was indeed to his style, but on the other, at what cost? Or an even bigger question, for what reason?
In the beginning of the film we are brought up to speed with what’s been happening since the mass shoot-out at the end of The Devil’s Rejects (2005). Considering that our characters are human, one could say it’s pretty far-fetched to believe that all three survived 20-something gunshot wounds each. But, for the sake of surviving, I’ll accept it.
This is followed by a Zombie-styled stream of news features and testimonials about the Firefly family’s crimes, “Free the Three” followers and even the declining health of Captain Spaulding. (Because I watched the film after Haig’s death, I think the segment hit me a little harder.)
“The woe of their long-time relationship coming to an end is pristine and Zombie does it with the utmost respect.”
However, after all the sentimental tributes, the real grittiness begins. In traditional fashion, Otis pulls off an escape plan that involves killing everyone and meeting up with new face Winslow, who is apparently Otis’ half brother. This part also bothers me simply because we’ve never seen him in the previous films about the twisted group, but again, I guess I’ll take it, as there is an emptiness that must be filled by Spaulding’s absence.
Now to break out Baby. From the start, Zombie shows us how the last decade has treated her. Much like her mother in Devil’s Rejects, Baby is a little off her rocker and it’s hard to tell if her behavior is a result of being in prison for so long or if being crazy is genetic. Either way, I can easily accept this.
Unfortunately, the believable character development was met by another downfall when Otis and Winslow capture the prison’s warden, his wife and also one of Baby’s parole board members and his wife, ever so conveniently at the warden’s own house, on the night of the dinner get-together. Come on. Surely luck can’t be genetic, too.
In tortuous fashion, Otis reveals the plan to get Baby out. It works. Everyone dies.
The first time I watched this movie, I felt like one might be able to time––to the second––when certain events took place. The events at the warden’s home and the country music group at the Kahiki Palms Motel from Devil’s Rejects felt almost like deja vu. I know that the scenarios were different, but even after all this time, the action is repetitive. What bums me out even more is after everyone has been freed, there is no plan. Otis later admits he didn’t think they’d make it to the first hotel.
Yes, another junkie hotel. Here, Baby shows us more of her new cat-like behavior. (Maybe something to do with the fact that she has a large cat with wings now tattooed on her chest, or her hallucinations.) She meows, plays and jokes with some guy who’s dressed up as a Mexican man by the soda machine, until she decides to kill him. So, is this an upgrade? How is this different? Ice machine to soda machine? Sex talk to party talk? Because that’s what we get. Could this be considered self-plagiarism?
Although we don’t see the murder, Baby returns to the escaped felon’s shared hotel room wearing the dead guy’s somberero and claims that the hat is a “sign.” Having to go on the run again due to Baby’s onsite kill, the three decide that Mexico is their best bet at not being found by law enforcement.
Want to try and guess where the group goes next? Just like in Devil’s Rejects, our felons find refuge in another brothel. What’s even better? The janky establishment’s owner rats them out to the gang leader of The Black Satan, as Otis is connected to a relative’s death. Shocker. Are you shocked? I’m not shocked.
As the story goes, the night before shit goes down, the gang has a party. It’s actually pretty wicked. I need to add that even though the movie itself seems somewhat like a rip-off, the cinematography still holds your hand through it, pulling you along for the not-so-great ride.
With that being said, the ending isn’t so bad. I mean, do they all get really lucky again? More than once? Yes and yes. But, throughout it all, our characters stay true to their wicked souls. Even when it seems like they might be under––again––they don’t let you see it.
They don’t fear death—they are death.
Zombie released the three and they served their purpose. Yes, the stories were similar. However, was it comforting to see our characters walk away without multiple bullet holes in them? Also yes. Do I know how I feel about the movie now after writing this? Still no. I’ll always adore Zombie’s work and what he chooses to make a viewer see and how they see it, even if it hurts.
Article written by Destiny Johnson
Destiny writes about true crime and thrillers. She likes movies that make you question the world around you, that keep you wondering, curious and even fearful.
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