14 December 2024
Mortuary (1983)
90 min.
Directed by Howard Avedis.
With Mary Beth McDonough, David Wallace, Bill Paxton, Lynda Day George, Christopher George, Curt Ayers, Bill Conklin, Donna Garrett, Greg Kaye, Denis Mandel.
This weak horror is anemic. It needs some fresh blood.

Troubled Christie (McDonough of 1981's Midnight Offerings) yearns to discover if her father's drowning death was truly an 'accident' or not.

But Christie has other problems...namely a shadowy killer following her around town, and delivering death to hapless victims via a mortician's instruments!

Could it all have something to do with the town's creepy undertaker Hank (George) and his even weirder son (Paxton)?

McDonough proves a likable enough lead, while Paxton entertains as the loopy Paul.

But ultimately this slasher musters little interest. The plotting feels lazy and uninspired, while the haphazard ending feels rushed and ill-conceived.

It's always enjoyable to see the Georges together in the same film - truly the Lunts of horror. But however you cut it, Mortuary is aptly titled: for its a lifeless husk.

Also known as Embalmed.

Not to be confused with the same year's possession stinker Mausoleum.

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