I Sell the Dead

I Sell the Dead

Year: 2009

Runtime: 85 min

Language: English

Director: Glenn McQuaid

HorrorComedy

In 19th-century Europe, two grave robbers find themselves facing execution. Before their fate is sealed, Arthur Blake recounts his disturbing story to Father Francis Duffy. The confession reveals a world of body snatching, fueled by whisky and shadowed by danger. Blake details gruesome discoveries and violent clashes with the notorious House of Murphy, as their activities spiral into a descent into mayhem with increasingly perilous consequences.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – I Sell the Dead (2009)

Trace every key event in I Sell the Dead (2009) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Arthur on Death Row

Arthur Blake finds himself trapped in the grim environment of death row, awaiting the outcome of his grim fate. He vehemently maintains his innocence regarding the crime he has been accused of committing, leading to an air of tension surrounding his character.

Death Row
2

Father Duffy's Visit

Father Duffy approaches Arthur with an unusual proposal, intending to draw out a story from Arthur's troubled past instead of offering him absolution. This unexpected encounter prompts Arthur to reflect upon the misadventures that led him to this dark point in his life.

3

Partnership with Willie

Arthur's story unfolds as he recalls his partnership with Willie Grimes, a former accomplice in the bizarre profession of grave robbing. After his father's death, Arthur turns to Willie, who mentors him in the art of retrieving corpses, despite the moral implications of their work.

4

Encounter with Doctor Quint

The duo’s lucrative grave robbing business falls under threat from Doctor Quint, who exploits their skills for his own gain. He manipulates Arthur and Willie by threatening to reveal their illegal activities, adding a layer of tension to their relationship.

5

Unveiling the Dead Woman

During one of their illicit digs, Arthur and Willie stumble upon a corpse surrounded by garlic and stakes, leading to an uneasy confrontation with supernatural elements. Ignoring Willie's warnings about the protective items, Arthur proceeds to remove them, inadvertently unleashing the undead.

Crossroads
6

Battle with the Undead

In a frenzied struggle, Willie manages to temporarily fend off the reanimated corpse with a shovel, but ultimately, he stabs it with a stake to end its terror. As they deliver the morbid discovery to Doctor Quint, the shocking event spirals into chaos as the undead confronts the doctor.

7

The Scheme at the Tavern

Back at a local tavern, Arthur learns of a rumored shipment of reanimated corpses arriving at a nearby mortuary. Driven by the intriguing proposal from pub owner Ronnie and the excitement of his girlfriend Fanny, Arthur and Willie decide to investigate further, despite the danger.

Local Tavern
8

Journey to the Island

The trio embarks on a precarious journey to an island rumored to house crates of undead, only to discover that their path is obstructed by Bulger, a vicious enforcer for the House of Murphy. Their expedition takes a dark turn when Fanny reveals her hidden aggression and kills Bulger.

Island
9

Fanny's Tragic End

As the trio captures one of the undead, tragedy strikes when Fanny falls victim to Cornelius, another enforcer of the House of Murphy. In a shocking moment, Arthur and Willie are kidnapped and caged alongside the captured undead, facing an uncertain and dangerous future.

10

The Chaos Unleashed

In a dramatic turn of events, one of the undead escapes captivity and causes chaos among the enforcers, leading to Carnelius's unexpected demise. Arthur and Willie seize this moment to escape, but their partnership unravels amid the disastrous fallout of their adventure.

11

Custody for Their Crimes

After their catastrophic escapades, Arthur and Willie find themselves in custody, reflecting the consequences of their actions. The weight of their misdeeds hangs over Arthur as he contemplates the events that led him to this dire situation.

Jail
12

Father Duffy's Revelation

As Arthur’s story concludes, Father Duffy questions him about the true mastermind behind Cornelius’s demise. Arthur believes Willie abandoned him, but Father Duffy shocks him by revealing his own identity as Samuel Murphy, complicating Arthur’s narrative.

13

The Undead Willie Surfaces

In a surreal and twisted climax, Arthur faces an unexpected threat as he discovers Willie’s decapitated body, now animated and grotesquely alive. This new reality exposes Arthur to bizarre notions of immortality, altering the dynamics of their friendship once again.

14

A New Bond Formed

Despite the horrendous circumstances, Willie expresses a strange delight in his newfound state of being and suggests Arthur ought to join him in this peculiar existence. As they navigate their grim surroundings, Arthur vehemently rejects the notion, hinting at the deeper moral dilemmas they face.

15

The Rising Threat

As the film edges towards its conclusion, the waters around Cornelius’s final resting place start to roil ominously, suggesting that he too may rise again. This sinister ending leaves the audience with a chilling sense of anticipation about the implications of their resurrection.

Cornelius's Resting Place

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 13:10

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Characters, Settings & Themes in I Sell the Dead

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