The film follows Dennis Alan played by Bill Pullman who is an anthropologist hired by a pharmaceutical company to try and isolate the “black magic” drugs apparently used to make zombies. They are hoping for a super anesthetic. (Technically Wade Davis was an anthropologist at the time of his experiences which happened prior to receiving his Doctorate). The movie also parallels the real life account as in both cases the reappearance of a man whose death had been documented years before suddenly makes the outside world take notice that the zombie myths of the local area might actually have some truth to them.

This is a great story replete with religious traditions, secretive practices and superstitions brought to life among the real Haitians who live and breathe these ancient African practices. As an obvious outsider the task before Dennis Allen is filled with mistrust, mystery and personal risk as the secrets of the Voodoo priests are highly guarded. He even succumbs at one point to hallucinogenic drug known as the zombie cucumber. As with all Wes Craven’s films, this movie takes an element of real life horror and brings his viewer to the abyss, where he can test his stamina against them.

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Woke audiences won’t enjoy the damsel in distress portrayal of women, that was rampant during the era, but they may be appeased by the heroic portrayal of Ben by actor Daune Jones. Jones an African American, is not only the lead character, but also the voice of calm reason among a panicked population. His cool leadership is juxtaposed against cowardly and irrational white male counterparts and screaming or comatose women, who are all holed up in a Pennsylvania farmhouse fending off an increasing onslaught of un-dead cannibals.

The movie opens with Barbra, played by Judith O’Dea, and her brother Johnny making an annual drive to visit their father’s rural grave site. Barbra is freaked out by the cemetery and Johnny clowns around trying to scare her. When a pale faced man wearing a ripped suit suddenly attacks her. Johnny is killed trying to come to her defense and she runs off looking for help. She runs into the first house she finds, and discovers the home owner’s partially eaten dead body. Looking outside she sees the ghoul from the cemetery has been joined by several others and they are headed her way. Our hero Ben arrives, and starts fortifying the farmhouse, shooting zombies that get too close with a rifle he found in the home. Others arrive until there are seven refugees taking shelter in the home. Night falls and the zombie attack is held off by fire and guns.

The group is informed by radio announcements that there is a wave of mass murder across the countryside and un-dead corpses. In response, armed men are organizing into posses and sweeping the area shooting ghouls on sight. They are warned that bodies discovered should be burned to prevent reanimation and that bullets or severe bows to the head, seem to be the only other way to stop these relentless cannibals. The gov’t has set up rescue centers and a plan is made, by the disagreeable housemates to get there, but the zombies are between their safe house and escape route.

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