Dead Men Don’t Die

Dead Men Don’t Die

Year: 1990

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Malcolm Marmorstein

CrimeComedyHorror

After a hard‑boiled anchorman is killed while probing a local drug‑dealing operation, a mysterious cleaning woman uses a voodoo ritual to resurrect him. Back among the living, he uses his journalistic instincts and a supernatural edge to track down the criminals responsible and settle the score.

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In a bustling metropolis where the glow of studio lights competes with the shadows of back‑alley intrigue, the world of televised news feels like a gritty stage for hard‑boiled storytelling. Barry Baron sits behind the anchor desk with the confidence of a veteran reporter, his crisp delivery masking a relentless curiosity about the darker currents that pulse beneath the city’s surface. The newsroom hums with the usual mix of deadlines, egos, and the ever‑present hum of static that seems to suggest something is always just out of reach.

When Barry’s pursuit of a hidden threat leads to a sudden, violent end, the ordinary rules of his profession are shattered. A mysterious cleaning woman, known only as Chafuka, steps out from the shadows of the maintenance corridors and performs a secretive ritual that pulls Barry back from the brink. The resurrection is more than a simple revival—it infuses him with an uncanny, otherworldly edge, turning his journalistic instincts into a strange new weapon that tingles with the power of ancient voodoo.

Back in the studio, Barry must navigate the delicate balance between his familiar role as a news anchor and the eerie abilities now coursing through him. He finds an uneasy alliance with his co‑anchor, Dulcie Niles, whose professionalism masks a growing fascination with the uncanny events surrounding their broadcast. Adding to the mix is a well‑meaning but bumbling detective, Jordan Penrose, whose earnest attempts to assist often collide with the surreal reality Barry now inhabits. Together, they form a reluctant team built on mutual curiosity and the unspoken promise that the truth still matters—even when the truth is tinged with the supernatural.

The tone of the story drifts between classic noir grit and off‑beat supernatural comedy, creating a world where the line between “live” and “undead” blurs as easily as the line between fact and speculation on the evening news. As Barry learns to wield his newfound powers, the audience is left wondering how far a journalist will go when the story refuses to stay dead, and whether the very act of reporting can become a weapon against the unseen forces that lurk behind the headlines.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:38

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Supernatural Noir Crime Comedies like Dead Men Don’t Die

Gritty detective stories invaded by the bizarre and otherworldly.If you liked the mix of crime-solving and voodoo in Dead Men Don’t Die, you'll enjoy these movies where gritty investigations collide with the supernatural. These films combine a dark sense of humor with mysterious, unsettling plots for a uniquely bizarre experience.

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The narrative follows a classic investigative path—a crime occurs, a protagonist digs deeper—but is complicated by supernatural forces like zombies, ghosts, or magic. The climax often involves confronting the criminal element while also managing or defeating the supernatural chaos they've unleashed.

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Zombie Revenge Comedies similar to Dead Men Don’t Die

The recently deceased return with a grudge and a ghoulish sense of humor.Fans of the zombie news anchor seeking payback in Dead Men Don’t Die will love these films. They focus on witty, vengeful undead characters blending horror and comedy, delivering satisfying revenge stories with a darkly funny and supernatural edge.

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Narrative Summary

The journey begins with a wrongful death, followed by a supernatural resurrection that grants the protagonist a unique advantage. The plot revolves around their single-minded pursuit of revenge, often involving creative and darkly funny confrontations, leading to a resolution that balances justice with the strangeness of their new existence.

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These movies share a core premise of supernatural revenge executed with comedy. The tone is consistently darkly humorous, the pacing is fast as the revenge plot unfolds, and the emotional weight is medium, focusing on cathartic payback rather than pure horror or tragedy.

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