The Dead Next Door (1989)

"Why won't they die!?" - Richards

Survivors try to find a cure to a zombie outbreak.
Starring: Pete Ferry, Robert Kokai, Bogdan Pecic, Jolie Jackunas, Michael Grossi

Link to IMDB

A zombie apocalypse has occurred, creating mayhem and carnage around the entire world. Survivors live together where they can, and they are protected by elite teams of soldiers known as Zombie Squads.
One squad consists of Raimi, Kuller, Mercer and a few other guys, and they travel around killing any zombies that need to be eliminated.

Zombie Squad

A scientist named Dr. Moulsson is working on a cure for the zombie plague, but he needs important research from a lab in Ohio. Raimi and his Zombie Squad are now tasked with getting Dr. Moulsson there, and protecting him at all costs. And they better do it quick, because Mercer has been bitten and he'll die soon if he doesn't get a cure!

Complicating the matter even more is Reverend Jones, the leader of a deranged cult that actually wants to protect the zombies! Rev. Jones is a total zombie hoarder, and he's planning something terrible for The Zombie Squad.

"Wake up my children, it's feeding time." - Rev. Jones

  Rev. Jones                         Dr. Moulsson

Considering that this is an ultra low budget homemade project, it's actually pretty effective at delivering the goods for a zombie horror show. The plot is minimal, and yet it always maintains a forward momentum. Everything is depicted as being quite grim and bleak, but in a charming way which allows for some good dark humour.

Not needing to worry about profound dialog or a deep story, all of the creative energy went into making the best monster makeup and gory killings that they could with their limited resources. The movie isn't trying to be anything other than a showcase for zombie insanity, and it has as much fun with that idea as possible.

It's easy to see why this is considered a hidden gem of underground horror. It's not quite a cult classic, but it definitely comes pretty close.

Be sure not to miss:
- That one guy chose the worst time to have a 'Nam flashback.
- Characters are seen watching The Evil Dead, and Sam Raimi himself helped fund this movie.
- Another Sam Raimi connection is that Raimi (the character) is voice dubbed by Bruce Campbell.
- Rats enough!

Internet review:
"A horror hound's wildest blood pumping fantasies trapped in celluloid." - PPryor

Should I watch it?
A must see for fans of cult horror.

Where can I find it?
Links here.

The Dead Next Door gets...