So, I finally got around to watching “The Lords of Salem.” And let me tell you, it was quite a ride. Directed by that metalhead Rob Zombie – who, let’s face it, has a knack for freaking people out – this one was just as you’d expect: trippy, dark, and disturbingly captivating.

Straight out of the gate, you get hit with this visual and auditory onslaught. The atmosphere was thick enough to cut with a knife, with these old vinyl tunes playing in the background (which for some reason always creeps me out more than it should). And Sherri Moon Zombie? Man, she’s eerie and magnetic all at the same time. Her role as Heidi, the radio DJ, was spot on. She sort of floats through the film with this mix of vulnerability and grit that just works.

But here’s where it gets muddy. The pacing is a bit wonky. There were moments when I wasn’t sure if the plot was moving forward or just spinning in circles. I get that it’s a horror film with psych elements, but sometimes, less is more, you know? Rob Zombie tends to go overboard with the visuals. Sure, it’s his style, but it did feel like he was trying too hard to be unsettling instead of letting the story breathe.

Speaking of breathing, that one scene! You know the one where Heidi walks down the demonic hallway? Gave me flashbacks to the time I was lost in Gamla Stan’s old alleys during a blackout. Trust me, not fun.

The themes touch upon witchcraft but with a twist that makes you think about female empowerment and oppression. Maybe I’m reading too much into it. But what I found compelling is how it subtly references the weight and trauma borne by previous generations – almost like how we carry our history in our blood, much like Sweden’s own haunted forests and ancient tales.

If you’re into something different, maybe something that’ll make your skin crawl and mind tingle, give “The Lords of Salem” a go. Just be ready for a bit of confusion and a lot of eerie vibes. And hey, sometimes a bit of weird is good for the soul.

Here’s the trailer: The Lords of Salem. Enjoy!