🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Glenn McQuaid
- Genre: Comedy, Horror
- Release year: 2008
- Runtime (length): 1h 25min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (11K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 64%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two guys dig up dead people, then they dig up *undead* people, and suddenly they’re in the corpse mafia… also, aliens are involved somehow.
🍿 I Sell the Dead: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Arthur’s Confession
The film opens with Arthur Blake awaiting execution. Facing the guillotine, he agrees to confess his life story to Father Duffy. This sets the stage for a series of flashbacks detailing his career as a grave robber.

The Apprentice Grave Robber
Arthur recounts how he became an apprentice to the seasoned grave robber, Willie Grimes. Willy teaches Arthur the tricks of the trade. Their primary goal is selling corpses to a doctor.

Unearthing the Supernatural
As their business progresses, Arthur and Willie stumble upon more than just ordinary corpses. They encounter vampires, zombies, and other undead creatures. This discovery leads them to a more lucrative, but dangerous, market.

Rival Gangs and Deadly Deals
The duo faces competition from a rival gang, the House of Murphy. Their dealings become increasingly perilous as they navigate the supernatural underworld. All leads to a final confrontation and Arthur’s capture.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Arthur Blake (Dominic Monaghan): A grave robber awaiting execution who recounts his life of corpse peddling.
- Willy Grimes (Larry Fessenden): A seasoned ghoul who introduces Arthur to the grave robbing business.
- Father Duffy (Ron Perlman): A priest who listens to Arthur’s confession before his execution.
- Dr. Quint (Angus Scrimm): An unscrupulous doctor who buys corpses from Arthur and Willie for his experiments.
- Cornelius Murphy (John Speredakos): The ruthless leader of a rival gang of grave robbers.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Arthur Blake: “You be careful of dreams, Fanny. They’ll lead you down a garden path and into a ditch before you know it. The Fortune of War Pub? Filled with people who followed their dreams. Look what they got to.” – Arthur warns Fanny about the perils of chasing dreams, reflecting on the grim fates of people in a pub.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $750,000
- Domestic Gross: $8,050
- Worldwide Gross: $8,050
💥 I Sell the Dead Reviews
Personal Review
I absolutely loved ‘I Sell the Dead’! The dark humor and the over-the-top characters kept me laughing throughout. The scene with the vampire first emerging was both hilarious and genuinely creepy. It’s the kind of movie I’ll be recommending to all my friends who appreciate a good horror-comedy blend. I really enjoyed Dominic Monaghan in this, very different from Lord of the Rings!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of horror comedies”
- “Viewers who enjoy dark humor”
- “Those interested in low-budget indie films”
- “Fans of Dominic Monaghan, Ron Perlman, and Angus Scrimm”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Grave robbing themes”
- “Gore and violence”
- “Supernatural horror elements”
- “Suggestive themes”
Professional Reviews
- Bloody-Disgusting.com: “A criminally underseen horror-comedy that blends dark humor with genuinely creepy moments. The practical effects and set design create an authentic atmosphere, making it a must-watch for fans of classic horror.
- MovieWeb: “Ron Perlman considers this one of his proudest roles, praising its unique blend of horror and comedy. It’s a hidden gem that deserves more recognition for its clever writing and engaging performances.
- IMDB User Review: “An excellent horror comedy, with the music being particularly amazing for the film’s bargain budget! The interaction between the leads was fluid and the dialogue well-written, adding comedic touches even in tense situations.
Audience Reactions
The blend of horror and comedy made it a refreshing and unique viewing experience.: Viewers praised the movie for its clever writing and ability to balance humor with genuine scares.
The chemistry between the lead actors was a standout element, enhancing the comedic moments.: The strong performances of Dominic Monaghan and Larry Fessenden were frequently mentioned as a highlight of the film.
Overall Consensus: A darkly comedic and entertaining horror film that provides a fresh take on the grave-robbing genre, celebrated for its unique style and memorable characters.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Ron Perlman initially declined the role after reading a rough draft of the script. He provided notes to the writer/director Glenn McQuaid, and after revisions, he agreed to act in the movie.”
- “The movie was shot in and around New York City, utilizing costume and set design to evoke 18th-century England.”
- “The film blends horror, comedy, and sci-fi elements, creating a unique and original viewing experience.”
🖥️ How to Watch I Sell the Dead?
Currently, ‘I Sell the Dead’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check these services for availability in your region. Unfortunately it is not part of any subscription services at this time.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed I Sell the Dead, you might like these similar films:
- Burke and Hare (2010): Direct comparison: Another dark comedy about 19th-century grave robbers.
- Shaun of the Dead (2004): Thematic similarity: Mixes horror and comedy with British sensibilities.
- Army of Darkness (1992): Thematic similarity: Dark comedy about dealing with the undead.
🛒 I Sell the Dead Related Products
- I Sell the Dead [Blu-ray]: Own the dark comedy on Blu-ray and experience the film in high definition. A must-have for collectors of horror-comedy films.
- Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring [Extended Edition] [Blu-ray]: Witness the adventure that started it all, featuring Dominic Monaghan (Arthur Blake) in his famous role as Merry Brandybuck.
- Funko POP Movies: Hellboy – Hellboy with Horns: A bobblehead figure of Ron Perlman as Hellboy, capturing the iconic look of the character from the hit movie.
- Tales from the Crypt: The Complete Series [DVD]: Enjoy the full series, and see how it is reminiscent of *I Sell the Dead*. Filled with gore, comedy, and the classic tale!
🎧 Soundtrack
I Sell the Dead features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The movie was filmed in New York, including East Village and Manhattan.
‘I Sell the Dead’ is a blend of horror and comedy, often described as a horror-comedy or dark comedy.
It’s a movie about a grave robber recounting his life of crime. He dealt with corpses, vampires, zombies, and rival gangs to a priest, before his impending execution.
🔥 Bonus Content
We Sell The Dead “Echoes Of An Ugly Past” Official Music Video
Ever wondered what kind of music Jack the Ripper would listen to? This band imagines just that, and the results are surprisingly relevant to the themes of ‘I Sell the Dead’! Give it a listen; it’s a dark and catchy tune.
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