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Love him or hate him, there’s no denying Rob Zombie has a singular style. Some have referred to it as hillbilly horror, and I’d tend to agree, though not necessarily as a pejorative. I grew up in a small, rural town, and Zombie’s horror is more faithful than most when it comes to the barnyard Halloween parties and neon-lit strip clubs littering every corner.
Halloween 2 is pretty much a masterpiece, and The Lords of Salem saw Rob Zombie at his weird, witchy best. Sure, I’m not the biggest fan of his Firefly trilogy, but there’s no denying Rob Zombie’s left a mark on horror he should be proud of. His work makes even more sense when you account for his clear inspirations. One of the best is now streaming free. If you want something just as weird, but considerably more tasteful, I’ve got a sweet carnival for you to visit.
Per Tubi: After a deadly car accident, a young church organist finds herself stalked by mysterious phantoms that beckon her to an abandoned carnival.
Herk Harvey’s Carnival of Souls is a micro-budget classic. Few horror films, contemporary or otherwise, have achieved some remarkable, evocative success with so few resources. Harvey never directed another feature film, though Carnival of Souls is one hell of a legacy (I even like the weird, barely a remake remake from 1998). The film is a lucid nightmare chock full of striking horror imagery and paranoia. It’s as close to as filmmaking as nightmare as any filmmaker has come.
Rob Zombie, speaking with Vice in 2016 about his favorite horror movies, remarked, “[Carnival of Souls], that’s a great movie. Really liked it.” Zombie shares how he used to play at the Salt Air Palace where the movie was filmed, adding, “I love movies that [rely on] the atmosphere and it’s just so simple with no budget.” Carnival of Souls has atmosphere to spare.
Luckily for you, Carnival of Souls is streaming free now. Invite your family. Invite your friends. Just don’t expect to come back the same as you were. Carnival of Souls is a bonafide classic, and a must-watch for any horror fan.
What do you think? Can you see how Carnival of Souls might have inspired Rob Zombie’s style? What other horror movies are worth checking out on Tubi? Let me know over on Twitter @Chadiscollins.
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