Mortuary Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A sleepwalking teen investigates her dad’s suspicious drowning, leading her to a mortuary where the eccentric owner’s son dances with dead bodies and might have stabbed her with an embalming tool, all while her mom joins a creepy warehouse cult.

🍿 Mortuary: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Mysterious Drowning and Suspicions

Christie Parson is haunted by nightmares following her father’s apparent drowning in the family swimming pool. While her mother, Eve, accepts it as a tragic accident, Christie suspects foul play, believing her father was murdered. Adding to the mystery, Christie’s boyfriend, Greg Stevens, and his friend Josh stumble upon a strange occult ritual involving the town’s mortician, Hank Andrews, and seemingly Christie’s mother, at the local mortuary warehouse.

Investigation and Stalking

Following Josh’s sudden disappearance after the warehouse encounter, Greg and Christie become determined to investigate the unsettling events. Their curiosity leads them further into the affairs of Hank Andrews and the mortuary. Simultaneously, Christie begins experiencing terrifying incidents, including being stalked by a sinister hooded figure that she believes is linked to her father’s death and the strange occurrences.

Unsettling Connections Surface

As Christie and Greg delve deeper, they uncover unsettling secrets connecting the mortuary, Hank Andrews, and his peculiar son, Paul, to Christie’s family history. Christie grapples with visions and sleepwalking episodes, further blurring the lines between reality and her fears. The increasing danger prompts the couple to uncover the truth behind the mysterious deaths and the identity of the stalker before Christie becomes the next victim.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Christie Parson (Mary Beth McDonough): A young woman haunted by nightmares who investigates her father’s death and the strange occurrences at the local mortuary.
• Paul Andrews (Bill Paxton): The eccentric and disturbed son of the mortician who becomes obsessed with Christie and is revealed to be the masked killer.
• Greg Stevens (David Wysocki): Christie’s supportive boyfriend who helps her uncover the secrets behind her father’s death and the mortuary.
• Hank Andrews (Christopher George): The town mortician and father of Paul who conducts peculiar occult rituals in his warehouse.
• Eve Parson (Lynda Day George): Christie’s mother who dismisses her daughter’s fears as paranoia and becomes involved with the town mortician.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hank Andrews: “I could run things smoother if people died between 9 to 5.” – A darkly humorous comment made by the mortician, expressing frustration about the unpredictable nature of death and his job.
• Paul Andrews: “I will embalm you before you die!” – Threatening Christie with his tools, revealing his psychotic plan for her during the climax.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $250,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,319,001
• Worldwide Gross: $4,319,001

💥 Mortuary Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally got around to watching Mortuary, mostly because I’m a huge Bill Paxton fan and kept hearing about his performance here. And let me tell you, he does NOT disappoint! He completely steals the show, especially that scene where he’s just skipping through the graveyard with flowers – I had to rewind that. The movie itself is definitely peak ’80s cheese horror, in the best way possible. The story is a bit all over the place with the cult subplot that just kind of vanishes, and the sleepwalking stuff is maybe a little silly now. But it’s got atmosphere, some creepy visuals (the killer’s look is unsettling!), and you can tell everyone is just going for it. I wasn’t super scared, but I was entertained the whole time, laughing at the absurdity and just enjoying the ride. It’s not a masterpiece by any means, but for an obscure ’80s flick, it’s a really fun watch. If you like your horror with a side of quirky performances and don’t mind a bit of plot silliness, definitely check this out. Plus, young Bill Paxton hamming it up is worth the price of admission alone.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic 1980s low-budget horror and slasher films”
  • “Viewers interested in early performances of actors like Bill Paxton”
  • “Those who appreciate atmospheric thrillers with a mystery element”
  • “Collectors of genre films on physical media”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Moderate violence and gore (including stabbings and embalming scenes)”
  • “Brief full frontal nudity and a sex scene (implied/doubles)”
  • “Disturbing themes (death, mental illness, obsession)”
  • “Jump scares”
  • “Contains depictions of sleepwalking”

Professional Reviews

• 80s Horror Vault: “Mortuary is a surprisingly watchable slice of ’80s horror, elevated by a standout performance from a young Bill Paxton. While the plot meanders and the body count is lower than expected, the film delivers atmosphere and a few genuinely tense sequences. It’s a cheesy, sometimes absurd ride, but one that genre fans will likely appreciate for its unique elements and memorable moments.
• Cult Cinema Quarterly: “More thriller than outright slasher, Mortuary offers a peculiar blend of mystery, dream sequences, and mortuary-based terror. The acting is a mixed bag, though Bill Paxton is a manic delight in an early role. Despite a somewhat disjointed plot and a rushed reveal, the film maintains a steady, if slow, build of suspense, capped off by an effectively eerie score and a wild final act.

Audience Reactions

Bill Paxton’s wild and unforgettable early performance.: Many viewers enjoyed the cheesy, nostalgic 80s horror vibe and found Paxton’s scenes hilarious and the highlight of the film.

The misleadingly cool poster art promising zombies that weren’t there.: While the film wasn’t what the cover suggested, fans appreciated the atmospheric feel, the unique mortician setting, and some moments of tension.

Overall Consensus: A cult classic for Bill Paxton fans and 80s cheese enthusiasts, offering quirky performances and atmosphere over outright scares or tight plotting.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was actor Christopher George’s final cinematic appearance before his death shortly after the film’s release.”
• “Bill Paxton’s role as Paul Andrews is one of his very early film appearances, predating his more widely known roles in films like ‘The Terminator’, ‘Weird Science’, and ‘Aliens’.”
• “The film’s score was composed by John Cacavas, known for his work on other horror films and TV series like ‘Kojak’.”
• “Filming locations included Abbott & Hast Mortuary in Los Angeles, as well as scenes shot at the Gulls Way Estate in Malibu.”
• “The German Vestron VHS release was significantly cut to obtain a less restrictive rating, shortening violent scenes, particularly the deaths of Josh and Christie’s mother.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mortuary?

Find ‘Mortuary’ (1983), also known as ‘Embalmed’, available for digital rental or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play. It is also often available on physical media formats like DVD and Blu-ray, including specific releases noted for being uncut.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mortuary, you might like these similar films:

• Pieces (1982): Features Christopher and Lynda Day George in lead roles and is another infamous low-budget slasher film from the same era, known for its over-the-top gore.
• Phantasm (1979): Shares a unique focus on mortuaries, death, and the bizarre world surrounding them, blending horror with mystery and surreal elements.
• The Burning (1981): A classic example of the early 1980s campy slasher boom, featuring creative kills and a memorable villain, appealing to fans of the era.
• One Dark Night (1982): Involves characters trapped in a spooky mausoleum/mortuary setting dealing with supernatural or seemingly supernatural occurrences, similar to the film’s atmosphere.
• Happy Birthday to Me (1981): An early 80s slasher notable for its ‘whodunit’ mystery structure, psychological elements, and a memorable, if sometimes absurd, final act and killer reveal, similar to ‘Mortuary’.

🛒 Mortuary Related Products

• Mortuary (1983) Special Edition Blu-ray: Experience this cult classic in high definition with restored picture and sound. Features include interviews with cast and crew, commentary tracks, and behind-the-scenes footage.
• 80s Horror Movie Poster Print: Mortuary (Alternate Art): High-quality print of the iconic, slightly misleading original poster art or alternative promotional material. Perfect for framing.
• The John Cacavas Collection: Cult Film Scores: A digital album featuring scores from various cult films composed by John Cacavas, including key tracks from Mortuary.
• Bill Paxton Retrospective Blu-ray Box Set: A multi-film set showcasing the diverse career of Bill Paxton, including early roles like Paul in Mortuary alongside his later, more famous films.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mortuary features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” – performed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• “Be My Lover” – performed by Unknown (commonly associated with Roller Disco scene)
• “Original Score” – performed by John Cacavas

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Mortuary: Is This Crazy Slasher a Sick Flick?

Ever wonder about that wild 80s slasher Mortuary? This review digs into whether it’s a forgotten gem or just… well, a sick flick, and you’ll be surprised to see a young Bill Paxton pop up!

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