10 Amazing Films From Directors Who Stopped Giving A Damn

2. The Lords Of Salem - Rob Zombie

It would be putting it mildly to say that Rob Zombie's move from rock star to filmmaker has proved a bit divisive. The director's breakthrough films House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects won some admirers, but much of the goodwill generated there was rapidly destroyed by his 2007 Halloween remake and its 2009 sequel.

As such, Zombie was in a bit of a make-or-break situation when he took on his next project, 2012's The Lords of Salem. After struggling to adapt his bizarre and brutal sensibilities to a mainstream-friendly slasher format on the Halloween films, the director clearly decided to say "screw it" and make a film which couldn't be more Rob Zombie if it tried.

A surreal, nightmarish blend rock'n'roll and black magic, The Lords of Salem casts Sherri Moon Zombie as a radio DJ and recovering drug addict who comes into possession of a mysterious album, whose music induces dark visions of devil worship and debauchery.

Critics and audiences were largely bemused, but The Lords of Salem is arguably Zombie's best, most singular work as a filmmaker to date. It might not make a great deal of sense, but that was clearly never the point; it's an assault the senses, bombarding the viewer with bizarre sounds and imagery that dig into primal, subconscious terrain.