Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of theatre kids disrespect the dead on a spooky island and then get mad when the dead people get mad back.

🍿 Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Setting the Stage: A Mock Satanic Ritual

A theatrical troupe, led by the arrogant and controlling Alan Ormsby, travels to a remote island with a dark history. Their purpose: to perform a mock Satanic ritual in a deserted graveyard. Alan intends it as a prank to shock and entertain his friends, but his motivations run deeper, hinting at a disturbing fascination with the macabre. The group’s initial reactions range from reluctant amusement to genuine unease.

The Ritual Backfires

Alan, fueled by his ego and a book of occult knowledge, leads the group in a poorly executed ritual. They exhume a corpse named Orville, treating it with disrespect and mockery. Unbeknownst to them, the ritual actually works, stirring the spirits of the dead on the island. The consequences of their actions are initially subtle, with an increasing sense of dread and foreboding permeating the atmosphere.

The Dead Rise

The dead begin to rise from their graves, grotesque and hungry for flesh. The theatrical troupe, trapped on the island, find themselves in a desperate fight for survival. The initial prank turns into a horrifying reality as they are hunted by the reanimated corpses. Their dwindling numbers and panicked reactions highlight the futility of their earlier arrogance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Alan Ormsby (Alan Ormsby): The arrogant and manipulative leader of the acting troupe, who orchestrates the mock Satanic ritual with disastrous consequences.
• Val (Valerie Mamches): A member of the acting troupe, who is skeptical and sarcastic about Alan’s plans.
• Jeff (Jeff Gillen): One of the actors in the troupe, known for his repeated nervous exclamation ‘I peed my pants’.
• Anya (Anya Ormsby): A member of the troupe and Alan’s wife, who is more sensitive and wary of the supernatural elements involved.
• Terry (Jane Daly): Another actress in the group, often seen as one of the more level-headed individuals among the troupe.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Alan: “The same way I get the egg into the Coke bottle, bitch.” – Alan’s sarcastic and disrespectful retort to Terry’s seemingly innocent question, showcasing his mean-spirited nature.
• Alan: “Keep up a stiff upper lip, Orville!” – Said by Alan while mocking the corpse they exhumed, displaying the group’s dark sense of humor and disrespect for the dead.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $70,000
• Domestic Gross: Unknown
• Worldwide Gross: Unknown

💥 Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, this movie is definitely not for everyone. I watched it late at night and felt genuinely creeped out by the rising of the dead scenes. The beginning is slow and the characters are annoying, I will not lie. But the atmosphere and the ending, with those zombies on the boat is stuck in my head. If you love indie horror, this one deserves a watch, even if just for the nostalgia.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of low-budget horror films”
  • “Viewers interested in early zombie movies”
  • “People who enjoy dark humor and campy films”
  • “Those who appreciate films with a unique, unsettling atmosphere”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Gore”
  • “Necrophilia (implied)”
  • “Disturbing images”
  • “Mock Satanic ritual”
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “A campy, low-budget zombie flick that’s more weird than scary. The first half is slow, with silly rituals and dialogue. The zombie attacks are not frightening, but entertaining. The film is a mix of horror and comedy, with a strange atmosphere and memorable characters.
• Bloody Disgusting: “Not many reviews currently exist about this movie.

Audience Reactions

The creepy atmosphere and rising of the dead scenes are standouts.: Viewers often mention the eerie vibe and unforgettable zombie makeup as highlights, while acknowledging the slow start and unlikeable characters.

Overall Consensus: A cult classic zombie film with a slow start but memorable atmosphere and rising of the dead scenes. It’s not for everyone, but those who enjoy low-budget horror and a creepy vibe will appreciate it.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot in just 14 days with a minuscule budget of $70,000, employing many of director Bob Clark’s college friends.”
• “Director Bob Clark, known for later directing ‘A Christmas Story’ and ‘Porky’s,’ initially conceived ‘Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things’ as a straight horror film before incorporating comedic elements.”
• “The movie was filmed in Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida.”
• “The film’s title was intentionally provocative, designed to attract attention and create controversy, which contributed to its cult following.”
• “The electronic score was composed by Carl Zitter.”

🖥️ How to Watch Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things?

Currently, “Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things” is difficult to find on major streaming platforms. Check platforms like Prime Video, Shudder, Tubi, and Archive.org, as availability may change. You may be able to purchase a digital copy through Amazon or other online retailers. Physical media, such as DVDs and Blu-rays, are available through various online stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things, you might like these similar films:

• Night of the Living Dead (1968): A foundational zombie film with a similar plot of the dead rising and terrorizing a group of people. ‘Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things’ draws inspiration from it.
• Evil Dead 2 (1987): Combines horror and comedy with a group of young people disturbing the dead. ‘Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things’ shares a similarly twisted tone.
• Deathdream (1974): Another horror film directed by Bob Clark released close to ‘Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things’, sharing similar low-budget aesthetics.

🛒 Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things Related Products

• Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things [Blu-ray]: A must-have for fans of cult horror, this Blu-ray edition brings the grainy atmosphere and grotesque zombie makeup to life with enhanced clarity. Relive the cemetery mayhem in all its low-budget glory.
• Classic Horror Movie Poster: Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things: Capture the spooky spirit with a vintage poster. A conversation starter, that shows appreciation for the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Overture” – performed by Carl Zitter
• “Island Graveyard” – performed by Carl Zitter

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Detroit TV 20 Thriller Double Feature bumper

Ever wondered how low-budget horror movies used to be advertised on TV? Check out this retro Detroit TV bumper featuring ‘Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things’ – it’s a seriously cool time capsule!

Supernatural: Season 2 Music Video (Ted Nugent – Stranglehold)

Did you know ‘Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things’ influenced an episode of Supernatural? This music video featuring clips from that episode is a fun way to see how the movie’s themes were re-imagined, its super cool!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=7pbsZGTOTE0

✨ Rate