Rob Zombie’s 31 is sparring with the MPAA to avoid an NC-17

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

And the battle rages on… Rob Zombie's 31 is fighting the war that many a horror film has waged with the MPAA. The film has been sent for review twice and received an NC-17 both times. In today's post-EVIL DEAD world, you'd think the MPAA would be a little more lax, but their inconsistency seems to be their only constant. The team is making another pass at the film, but the struggle prompted Zombie to post this statement on Facebook, which ironically I need to censor:

Well, after two tries through the MPAA our rating on 31 remains NC-17. Maybe three is the charm to get an R rating. Why R you ask? Well, because your local theater will not show an NC-17. Even though you are a f**king adult… things much be censored for your enjoyment.

Even when he does get that R-rating, I doubt 31 will do anything less than turn stomachs. The film tells the story of:

Five carnival workers who are kidnapped the night before Halloween and held hostage in a large secret compound known as Murder World. Once there, they have 12 hours to survive a terrifying game called 31 in which “The Heads” – murderous maniacs dressed as clowns – are released to hunt them down and kill them.

31 stars Richard Brake, Lew Temple, Malcolm McDowell, Sheri Moon Zombie, Meg Foster, Judy Geeson, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Jane Carr, Ginger Lynn, Daniel Roebuck, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Pancho Moler, Tracy Walter, E.G. Daily, Torsten Voges, David Ury, Bari Suzuki, and Devin Sidell. It will be screening at Sundance this January.