"I remember, especially like when I was in high school, going to see like Dawn of the Dead and it was like mayhem in the theater and you could barely even watch the movie. It was so fun"

Rob Zombie’s recollection evokes a powerful image of youthful enthusiasm, nostalgia, and the communal experience of moviegoing. He reflects on his high school years, specifically recalling the chaos and energy of seeing a cult horror film, “Dawn of the Dead,” in a crowded theater. He describes the scene as “mayhem,” suggesting a kind of unrestrained collective excitement among the audience, where the line between viewer and spectacle blurs. The environment is so charged and alive that it nearly overpowers the film itself, “you could barely even watch the movie.” Yet, rather than being frustrated by the distractions or disruptions, Zombie remembers this as an exhilarating and joyful time, summing it up simply as “so fun.”

This memory speaks to the way horror movies, in particular, foster a strong sense of community. Their shared scares, laughter, and even rowdiness can bind people together in a unique, almost ritualistic way, especially during adolescence, a period marked by heightened emotions and the search for belonging. The mayhem Zombie refers to may be chaotic, but it is also a sign of uninhibited engagement and group participation, something often lost in more subdued, “polite” cinematic settings. His words highlight how, for young audiences, the actual film can become secondary to the overall experience: the crowd’s reactions, the surges of adrenaline, and the feeling of being part of something bigger.

Zombie’s reminiscence also points to the allure of cult films and midnight screenings, where boundaries are pushed and norms are suspended. For many, these events represent freedom from adult supervision or societal expectations, providing a safe space to express fear, excitement, and even rebellious energy. Ultimately, his anecdote captures how the social context of watching a film can be as memorable and meaningful as the movie itself, shaping not just one’s perception of cinema, but also one’s formative years.