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Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead (2014) movie poster

Plot Summary

Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead (2014) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 100 min · Norwegian
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Directed by
Tommy Wirkola
Starring
Martin Starr, Jocelyn DeBoer, Vegar Hoel, Ingrid Haas, Stig Frode Henriksen, Ørjan Gamst

Amidst a chaotic, snow-covered landscape, a lone survivor finds himself facing an overwhelming threat: a relentless army of undead Nazi soldiers seeking retribution. Severely injured and fighting for his life, he reluctantly teams up with a group of Soviet soldiers. Together, they must confront the gruesome reality of the reanimated horrors and battle for survival against the escalating conflict.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle
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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead (2014) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

As Martin's harrowing adventure unfolded, he and his friends unintentionally ignited the fury of Nazi-zombies, who had their eyes fixed on a prized treasure. The fallout of their ill-fated actions turned catastrophic when Martin suffered a vicious bite, forcing him to take drastic measures by amputating the infected limb with a chainsaw. In a bid to correct his mistake, he attempted to return the stolen gold to its rightful owners, only to discover that he had overlooked a crucial coin. This blunder ignited a relentless pursuit by the relentless commander Herzog, who doggedly pursued Martin’s vehicle as he fled for his life. A harrowing car crash led to the slicing off of Herzog’s arm, which unfortunately became trapped in the vehicle with Martin.

Upon waking in a hospital bed, Martin found himself under the skeptical scrutiny of authorities who dismissed his wild tales of zombie confrontations and the murders of his friends. As the truth began to surface, Martin learned that a surgeon had mistakenly attached Herzog's severed arm to his own stump, believing it was his natural limb. The reattached zombie appendage soon ran amok, unleashing chaos and destruction that claimed numerous victims, as Martin reluctantly found himself connected to the havoc wrought by his own mutated arm. Amidst this turbulent chaos, he was sedated and restrained.

Meanwhile, Herzog, having replaced his lost arm, commenced rallying an army of freshly reanimated locals through sinister means. In this tumultuous atmosphere, Bobby, a curious American tourist, clandestinely entered Martin’s hospital room, lured by rumors of the looming zombie outbreak. His fascination with Martin’s grotesque arm proved fleeting, however, as the appendage violently hurled him out a window. In a frantic attempt to escape, Martin leaped after him, only to discover that his zombie arm had tragically crushed Bobby's chest, ending his life in a heart-wrenching moment.

Fueled by desperation and paranoia, Martin found himself fleeing from law enforcement, who now wrongfully branded him a child killer. His search for atonement led him to ally with the Zombie Squad—a trio of bookish friends: Daniel, Monica, and Blake—who vowed to assist him in Norway. As they orchestrated their mission, they urged Martin to uncover the authentic motivations driving Herzog's nefarious plans, unaware of the harrowing challenges that awaited them.

In the dim corridors of a World War II museum, Martin crossed paths with Glenn Kenneth (played by Glenn Kenneth), the humble souvenir shop clerk. The eerie presence of a zombie arm displayed in the museum became a pivotal moment that altered their destinies. As Glenn guided Martin through the exhibits, they unearthed the grim legacy of Herzog, a former Nazi officer tasked by Hitler himself with quelling resistance efforts in Talvik. This shocking revelation sent chills down Martin’s spine, underscoring the fact that Herzog’s malevolent intentions remained a potent threat.

Outside, a nightmarish scene unfolded as Herzog and his zombie army descended upon a group of unsuspecting tourists, leaving behind a grotesque trail of destruction. Following the chaos, Herzog’s troops armed themselves with era-specific weaponry from the museum, including a formidable Tiger tank from World War II. Through a stroke of luck and disguising themselves as mannequins in the museum, Martin and Glenn narrowly evaded death.

As they surveyed the aftermath, Martin stumbled upon a stunning realization—his zombie arm possessed the extraordinary ability to raise and command the dead. When Daniel arrived on the scene, he efficiently dispatched an undead corpse; however, Martin swiftly demonstrated his newfound power by reviving it once again. As tensions mounted, Martin, Daniel, and their new undead ally ventured forth to locate the long-hidden burial ground of Russian Red Army POWs executed by Herzog years prior. Meanwhile, Monica, Blake, and Glenn scrambled to delay Herzog’s relentless advance, utilizing clever tactics and makeshift pipe bombs crafted from salvaged materials as they drew the undead into a nearby swamp to deal with them decisively.

Undeterred by their efforts, Herzog pressed on, believing Monica, Blake, and Glenn were perished in the swamp’s depths. However, Martin’s friends stumbled upon the forsaken graveyard, inadvertently releasing an entire legion of loyal Russian zombies under Martin's command. The stage was set for an epic showdown as all sides converged on the town, leading to a dramatic confrontation between Martin and Herzog. With the townspeople safely evacuated and Herzog’s sinister orders thwarted, one might think the former Nazi would retreat; instead, he clung to his vile determination and attacked Martin’s growing undead army.

As the first clash erupted between Martin's resurrected Russians and the relentless Nazi zombies, fortune appeared to favor Martin's side. Yet, with the untimely death of the Russian commander, Lieutenant Stavarin (who fell victim to Herzog), the tides swiftly shifted. In a moment of desperation, Monica urged Martin to eliminate Herzog, their sole chance for survival. While Daniel attempted to commandeer the enemy's tank, Martin faced Herzog in a brutal confrontation, while the others valiantly battled the remaining horde of zombies. The chaos escalated when Glenn met a grisly fate at the hands of a stealthy Nazi zombie, his attack precise and lethal. Just as Monica and Blake faced defeat, Daniel saw an opening; he fired the tank gun directly at Herzog while Martin kept him busy. The decapitation marked a gruesome yet triumphant end to this apocalyptic struggle, as Herzog’s head soared through the air, leaving his army of zombies to collapse lifelessly and liberating Monica and Blake from imminent doom.

In the wake of their hard-fought victory, Martin returned to the church where his beloved Hanna lay buried. In a morbid act, he exhumed her lifeless body, resurrecting her as a zombie as they shared a bizarre yet fervent reunion. While indulging in this grotesque yet meaningful encounter, their zombie companion observed from a distance, seemingly accepting of their unique, if macabre, love story.

In a chilling post-credits revelation, a Nazi doctor worked feverishly to resurrect Herzog’s severed head, which, remarkably, opened its eyes, hinting at an ominous and possibly apocalyptic future lurking just beyond the horizon.

Last updated: November 22, 2024 at 18:35

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Plot questions answered

Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead (2014): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why did the surgeon attach Herzog's arm to Martin's body?

A surgeon mistakenly reattached Herzog's severed arm to Martin's stump, believing it was Martin's own limb. This occurred after Martin was brought to the hospital unconscious following his car crash with Herzog. The zombie arm, still animated despite being severed, began attacking people in the hospital, trapping Martin in a dangerous situation.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Herzog's arm was trapped inside Martin's vehicle after their car crash, directly leading to this medical mix-up.

  • herzog arm
  • surgeon mistake
  • hospital
  • martin injury
  • zombie arm
Q2

How did Martin gain the ability to control zombies?

Martin discovered his zombie arm could raise and command the dead after his encounter at the museum. When Daniel killed an undead corpse, Martin realized he could resurrect it and force it to obey his commands. This power stemmed from Herzog's arm being attached to Martin's body, Herzog's Nazi magic transferred along with the limb.

Foreshadowing: Herzog had been raising and commanding the Nazi zombies throughout the film, and this ability came with his severed arm.

  • zombie control
  • martin powers
  • herzog magic
  • raising dead
Q3

Why did the Russian zombies fight on Martin's side?

The Russian zombies were loyal to Martin because he was the one who resurrected them. When Martin raised the buried Russian Red Army POWs from their mass grave, they became his undead army. These soldiers had been executed by Herzog during WWII, so they naturally sided with anyone who opposed the Nazi forces.

Foreshadowing: Herzog had executed these Russian POWs years ago, creating enemies who would later align against him.

  • russian zombies
  • red army
  • mass grave
  • martin army
  • herzog enemies
Q4

What happens to Herzog's head in the ending?

Martin decapitates Herzog during their final battle by having Daniel fire the tank cannon directly at him. After Martin keeps Herzog occupied, the tank shell strikes Herzog, sending his head flying through the air. This kills Herzog and causes his zombie army to collapse.

Foreshadowing: The battle scene builds tension as the tank becomes the only weapon powerful enough to stop Herzog.

  • herzog death
  • decapitation
  • tank
  • final battle
  • head
Q5

Why did Martin resurrect his girlfriend Hanna?

Martin resurrected Hanna because he couldn't accept losing his beloved. After defeating Herzog and his army, Martin visited Hanna's grave, dug up her body, and used his zombie arm's power to bring her back. Despite her being a zombie, Martin chose to be with her in this twisted form, sharing what the film presents as a macabre love reunion.

Foreshadowing: Martin's desperation to atone for his mistakes and his connection to Hanna was established early in the film.

  • hanna resurrection
  • love
  • zombie girlfriend
  • grave
  • martin love
Q6

What was the crucial coin Martin forgot to return?

Martin overlooked a single coin when trying to return the stolen Nazi gold to appease Herzog. This small but significant oversight triggered Herzog's relentless pursuit of Martin throughout the film. Herzog was obsessed with recovering every piece of the treasure, making the coin essential to the plot's conflict.

Foreshadowing: Martin and his friends initially stole the gold while the Nazi zombies were dormant, drawing Herzog's wrath.

  • gold
  • coin
  • treasure
  • herzog
  • stolen treasure
Q7

What does the post-credits scene reveal about the future?

In the post-credits scene, a Nazi doctor works to resurrect Herzog's severed head. The head then opens its eyes, hinting that Herzog may return in a future sequel. This cliffhanger suggests the villain's story is not over despite his decapitation.

Foreshadowing: Herzog's obsession with the gold and his 命令 suggest he would find a way to return.

  • post credits
  • sequel
  • herzog head
  • resurrection
  • cliffhanger
Q8

Who was Glenn Kenneth and why was he important?

Glenn Kenneth was the clerk at the World War II museum who helped Martin uncover Herzog's dark history. Glenn revealed that Herzog was a former Nazi officer sent by Hitler to crush resistance in Talvik. Glenn joined the group to fight against the Nazi zombies but was killed during the final battle by a stealthy zombie.

Foreshadowing: The museum displayed a zombie arm as a artifact, which became crucial to Martin's discovery of his powers.

  • glenn
  • museum
  • history
  • herzog past
  • talvik
Q9

Why was Herzog so obsessed with the gold?

Herzog was tasked with guarding the Nazi gold looted during WWII, and recovering it was his primary mission even after death. The gold represented Nazi treasure that Herzog had hidden, and he pursued anyone who stole it. His obsession drove much of the conflict in the film.

Foreshadowing: Martin and his friends unknowingly stole from Herzog's wartime stash, awakening his vengeance.

  • gold
  • treasure
  • herzog
  • obsession
  • nazi gold
Q10

How did Martin survive the hospital attack by his own arm?

Martin's zombie arm attacked multiple people in the hospital, including throwing Bobby out a window. Martin was sedated and restrained by medical staff who didn't understand the arm was possessed. He eventually escaped by leaping out the window after his arm killed Bobby, finding himself caught in the chaos of the zombie outbreak.

Foreshadowing: The arm's violent tendencies began immediately after the surgery, foreshadowing its dangerous power.

  • hospital
  • arm attack
  • bobby
  • escape
  • sedation
Q11

Why was Martin wanted by the police?

Martin was wrongfully labeled a child killer and pursued by law enforcement. The authorities didn't believe his stories about zombie attacks and saw him as a dangerous fugitive. This forced Martin to work with the Zombie Squad while evading police, adding to his desperation to stop Herzog.

Foreshadowing: The chaos of the zombie outbreak created confusion about who was responsible for the killings.

  • police
  • fugitive
  • child killer
  • law enforcement
  • escape
Q12

How did the Tiger tank factor into the final battle?

Herzog's army acquired a Tiger tank from the museum and used it as their main weapon against Martin and the townspeople. During the climactic battle, Daniel was able to commandeer the tank and used it to fire directly at Herzog, delivering the fatal decapitation blow that ended the Nazi threat.

Foreshadowing: The museum scene showed Herzog's zombies arming themselves with WWII-era weapons from the exhibits.

  • tiger tank
  • weapon
  • museum
  • battle
  • daniel
Q13

Who were the Zombie Squad members?

The Zombie Squad consisted of Daniel, Monica, and Blake, three bookish friends who were obsessed with zombies and decided to help Martin in Norway. They assisted with research, fought alongside him against Herzog's army, and played crucial roles in the battle, though Blake and Monica were nearly defeated before Herzog's death.

Foreshadowing: Their knowledge of zombie lore proved useful in understanding Herzog's motivations and weaknesses.

  • zombie squad
  • daniel
  • monica
  • blake
  • norway
Q14

How did Herzog lose his arm before the hospital scene?

Herzog lost his arm during a car crash while pursuing Martin. As Martin fled with the gold, Herzog rammed his vehicle, causing a collision that severed Herzog's arm. The arm became trapped in Martin's car, which later led to the surgeon mistakenly attaching it to Martin.

Foreshadowing: The car crash was a direct result of Martin's attempt to return the stolen gold.

  • herzog arm
  • car crash
  • pursuit
  • severed arm
Q15

What happened in the swamp confrontation with the zombies?

Monica, Blake, and Glenn attempted to delay Herzog's advance by luring his zombie army into a nearby swamp using makeshift pipe bombs. They hoped to trap or destroy the zombies in the swamp, though Herzog believed they had perished there. This diversion gave Martin time to locate the Russian zombie burial ground.

Foreshadowing: The swamp provided a natural obstacle that could potentially slow down the undead army.

  • swamp
  • pipe bombs
  • monica
  • blake
  • glenn
  • diversion

Movie threads

More Movies Like Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Gory Horror Comedies like Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead

Over-the-top violence played for laughs in a ridiculously chaotic world. If you liked the outrageous, blood-soaked humor of Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features similar horror comedies that balance extreme gore with absurdist comedy, offering a wildly entertaining and chaotic viewing experience.

  • gory
  • darkly humorous
  • absurd
  • chaotic
  • macabre
  • satirical
  • Tone: dark, humorous, over-the-top
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread often feature a straightforward, high-stakes conflict that escalates into ridiculous chaos. Characters confront increasingly absurd threats, and the narrative structure serves as a vehicle for delivering a rapid succession of comedic gags and inventive kills.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their unique tonal blend of high-intensity horror and comedy. They share a commitment to practical effects-driven gore, a fast pace, and a willingness to push situations into the realm of the absurd for laughs, creating a cohesive, high-energy vibe.

Movies with Unlikely Alliances like Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead

Mismatched heroes must join forces to survive an ancient, overwhelming evil. For viewers who enjoyed the desperate team-up in Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead, this list features other movies where unexpected allies band together against supernatural forces. Discover films that explore survival, reluctant partnerships, and battling ancient evils.

  • desperate
  • tense
  • unlikely partnership
  • survival
  • escalating threat
  • supernatural
  • Tone: desperate, tense, dark
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, usually isolated or outmatched, discovering they cannot face the threat alone. They are compelled to forge an alliance with former enemies or unexpected companions. The story's arc revolves around this fragile union strengthening as they confront escalating challenges together.

Why they belong together: These movies share the core dynamic of an 'unlikely alliance' as a central plot driver. They combine high-stakes survival horror with character-driven conflict, creating a compelling mix of action, tension, and thematic depth around cooperation in the face of annihilation.

Every angle

Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead (2014) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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