Zombie Dearest (2009)

When failed comic Gus Lawton pushes his wife too far, he finds himself chasing her across the country to the abandoned farmhouse of her childhood. Given the choice between losing Deborah or... See full summary »

Director:

David Kemker

Writers:

David Kemker, Mark Cavanagh

Stars:

David Kemker, Shauna Black, David Sparrow

Cast

Cast overview:
David Kemker	...	Gus Lawton
Shauna Black	...	Deborah
David Sparrow	...	Quinto - the zombie
John Jarvis	...	Donny
Derek McGrath	...	Uncle Pete
Ron Lea	...	Reverend Harper
Wendy Jewell	...	Gwen
Beverly Cooper	...	Aunt Ellen
Paul O'Sullivan	...	Mr. Roeder

Storyline

When failed comic Gus Lawton pushes his wife too far, he finds himself chasing her across the country to the abandoned farmhouse of her childhood. Given the choice between losing Deborah or living by her plan, Gus gets busy fixing up the old place. Starting with the septic tank. In a moment of desperation, he digs up the very thing he needs, a zombie who'll do anything he wants... for now, anyway. As the zombie's own desires threaten their plans, Gus and Deborah come together in a desperate struggle to get what they want, regardless of the cost. Zombie Dearest is a genre-bender that speaks to the "living dead" - the hunger and the horror - in all of us. It's a wild ride that's both smartly comic and deeply quirky.

---

Plot Keywords:

zombie

---

Taglines:

Dearest is character driven horror - a genre bender in which comic characters are devoured by the grisly consequences of their unchecked desires.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Horror

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 August 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Bethany, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Scream Clock Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo (Stereo)

Color:

Color (HD)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References Mommie Dearest (1981)

---

Soundtracks

"Ain't No Grave"
Performed by Crooked Still

User Reviews

Unique and enjoyable horror black comedy hoot

Failed comic writer Gus Lawton (a fine and likable performance by David Kemker) and his fed-up wife Deborah (excellent work by Shauna Black) are having relationship problems. The troubled couple move to a new house in the remote country in an attempt to patch things up. Complications ensue when Gus unearth obedient zombie Quinto (a credible portrayal by David Sparrow) while digging up a septic tank in the backyard. Director Kemker, who also co-wrote the fresh and imaginative script with Mark Cananagh, firmly grounds the fantastic premise in a plausible workaday reality, makes neat use of harmonic country songs on the soundtrack, and ably mines an inspired line in amusing deadpan black humor (for example, Quinto proves to be an absolute pest who's impossible to get rid of). The sturdy acting by Kemker and Black holds the picture together; their pleasant and relaxed chemistry is both convincing and engaging. Moreover, there are sound supporting contributions from John Jarvis as Deborah's affable business partner Donny and Derek McGrath as cranky old coot Uncle Pete. This movie earns bonus points for being something different and out of the ordinary; it's genuinely eccentric without ever becoming forced or cutesy about it. Michel Bisson's sharp cinematography and the moody score by Kemker and Slater Jewell-Kemker are both up to speed. A fun flick.