Feature1985·86m·7.1

Re-Animator

Herbert West has a good head on his shoulders...and another one on his desk.

Science FictionComedyHorror

Conducting clandestine experiments within the morgue at Miskatonic University, scientist Herbert West reveals to a fellow graduate student his groundbreaking work concerning the re-animation of fresh corpses.

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Cast

Jeffrey Combs

Herbert West

Bruce Abbott

Dan Cain

Barbara Crampton

Megan Halsey

David Gale

Dr. Carl Hill

Robert Sampson

Dean Alan Halsey

Carolyn Purdy-Gordon

Dr. Harrod

Peter Kent

Melvin the Re-Animated

Ian Patrick Williams

Swiss Professor

Bunny Summers

Swiss Woman Doctor

Al Berry

Dr. Gruber

Barbara Pieters

Nurse

Annyce Holzman

E-R Patient Corpse

Velvet Debois

Slit Wrist Girl Corpse

Robert Holcomb

Motorcycle Accident Corpse

Mike Filloon

Bullet Wound to Face Corpse

James Earl Cathay

Psycho Ward Guard #2

James Ellis

Psycho Ward Guard #1

Derek Pendleton

Swiss Policeman #1

Gene Scherer

Swiss Policeman #2

Gerry Black

Mace

Details

Status
Released
Original language
English
Languages
English
Budget
$900,000
Revenue
$2.0M
Age rating
Quality
4K UHD · HDR10 · Dolby Vision
Production
Empire Pictures

Crew

Director

Stuart Gordon

Writers

H.P. Lovecraft, William Norris, Dennis Paoli, Stuart Gordon

Richard Band

Original Music Composer

Mac Ahlberg

Director of Photography

Lee Percy

Editor

Robin Lewis West

Costume Design

Robin Burton

Costume Design

Gallery

Reviews

Gimly

5/13/2017

6.0

I don't feel as strongly about _Re-Animator_ as much of the horror community does. I absolutely enjoy it, recommend it, even. Just in more of a Watch-Enjoy-Done sort of way. Very different from your typical Lovecraft fare. _Final rating:★★★ - I personally recommend you give it a go._

TheTenth

4/18/2018

10.0

In 1985 I was 15, and already a big horror movie fan. With Evil Dead, Halloween, Friday 13th, Italian horror ... the genre was dynamic. Then, reading Mad Movies, I see this very gore movie inspired by a short Lovecraft tale, coming soon. I go there at 2pm, watch the movie and end up seeing it 7 times in 3 days. The cast gives an insane (!!!) performance, especially Jeffrey Combs of course, but having Bruce Abbott try to keep his sanity and stay alive in the horrific events. Barbara Crampton will be mainly remembered by being licked by a severed head, but she does a nice "normal" character. The couple try to save what they can (sanity and life) and are quite a counterpoint to West and his madness of overcoming death, whatever consequences there may be. Most scenes are in the Arkham faculty, some at Dan's apartment. This also enhances the madness of it all, with a regular setting where usually nothing wrong could happen. The "gore" SFX still are vivid in my mind. So OK more modern SFX are done now, but those rubber body parts with liters of blood were really efficient, and I'll add "physical". Those computer generated very often lack the practical physicality of holding a severed hand or head they do now (must be a challenge for the actors to interact with nothing beside a green sceen. Overall these elements create a powerfully entertaining movie.

Sierbahnn

5/1/2026

6.0

This is a staple of its genre, and for good reason. It is hokey, it is overacted, the effects are messy, sure, but that does not makes it any less brilliant. While teasing some Lovecraft-story ideas, this is its own beast, and stands on its own legs. The casting is ok, apart from Jeffrey, of course, who is tearing up each and every scene. He is grand in this.

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