The narrative unfolds in the late 19th century, centering around a young man named Edward Ralston, portrayed by Steve Bacic. In search of solace, he visits an enigmatic old woman named Miz Carnation, who resides alone in a secluded cabin nestled deep within the woods of upstate New York. Edward has a desperate plea: he wishes for Miz Carnation, a necromancer, to bring back his recently departed wife. However, Miz Carnation initially declines this request. Instead, she offers to recount an evocative tale about Ernst Haeckel, brought to life by Derek Cecil, promising that if Edward still desires to revive his wife after hearing it, she would honor his wish.
The story delves into Ernst Haeckel’s attempts to repeat the legendary experiments of Victor Frankenstein. Haeckel, with fervent ambition, seeks to create life but faces failure in his endeavors. His journey leads him to hear about Montesquino, a necromancer whose authenticity he doubts, suspecting him of being a fraud. Amidst personal turmoil, Haeckel learns that his father is gravely ill, prompting him to travel, where he crosses paths with Walter Wolfram (Tom McBeath) and his alluring wife, Elise (Leela Savasta). An inexplicable attraction develops between Haeckel and Elise, raising questions about their destinies.
Wolfram seems curiously indifferent towards this strange connection, but as eerie shrieks pierce the night air, Elise feels an irresistible pull towards the sound. Notably, Haeckel discovers that Elise is nurturing a child. Eventually, she ventures outside, while Wolfram expresses his own inadequacies, lamenting that he cannot fully satisfy her despite having sacrificed everything for her wellbeing.
Driven by a mix of intrigue and concern, Haeckel ventures after Elise, following the haunting cries to a nearby necropolis. In a shocking turn of events, he witnesses Elise engaging with the reanimated corpse of her deceased husband alongside other risen dead. Wolfram, in a desperate attempt to appease Elise, has enlisted the help of Montesquino to animate the dead. However, confrontations arise when Wolfram attempts to reclaim Elise, only to be met with a violent fate at the hands of the resurrected corpses. In a moment of rage, Haeckel confronts Montesquino, demanding he cease this madness. The necromancer, however, reveals his inability to comply, which leads to a chaotic struggle where Haeckel shoots Montesquino, only for the dying magician to retaliate violently, incapacitating Haeckel.
As dawn breaks, a bewildered Haeckel awakens to find Elise nursing a grotesque progeny—a corpse-child, born of her true husband. In a heart-stopping moment, this abominable child rips into Haeckel's throat, and we are transported back to the necropolis, now featuring the lifeless Haeckel in a surreal twist where Elise continues her grim liaison.
After completing her unsettling tale, Miz Carnation reveals her identity, as she transforms into the aged Elise, horrifying Edward Ralston with the realization of her past life. The reanimated figures of Wolfram and Haeckel add to the grotesque tableau, accompanied by the ghastly presence of the zombie infant. Overwhelmed with revulsion, Ralston ultimately decides against invoking Miz Carnation's dark powers to reunite with his lost love and escapes into the encroaching night, haunted by the legacy of death and resurrection standing before him.
