The Dead Don’t Die

Chief Cliff Robertson and Officer Ronnie Petersen respond to a report about a stolen chicken from Farmer Frank Miller. They confront Hermit Bob in the forest where Bob warns them with a gunshot, indicating he wants to be left alone. The officers decide not to arrest him, trusting Cliff's long-term knowledge of Bob's character.

Cliff and Ronnie discuss the unusual brightness of the sky despite it being after eight at night, hinting at strange phenomena affecting the town. Their radio communication cuts out, and Ronnie predicts that 'this isn’t going to end well,' foreshadowing impending chaos. They also introduce the movie's theme song during a break.

At a local diner, Hank, Farmer Frank, and waitress Fern listen to a radio report claiming that polar fracking has caused the Earth to spin off its axis. They question why it's still bright outside, highlighting the town’s growing sense of unease and strange environmental effects.

At Centerville Juvenile Detention Centre, Geronimo, Olivia, and Stella watch a news report stating that polar fracking has destabilized the planet. Geronimo is then kicked off the girl’s floor, signaling the increasing chaos and societal breakdown happening across the town.

Farmer Frank finds his missing farm animals and his dog running away, with his cat missing as well. Meanwhile, Danny, the motel owner, notices pets disappearing and acting strangely, emphasizing the beginning of a bizarre, town-wide disturbance.

Two reanimated zombies kill Fern and Lily at the diner, but become distracted by coffee, leaving the scene. The morning reveals the dead women, marking the first confirmed zombie attack in Centreville. Ronnie suspects zombies, but Cliff remains skeptical.

Cliff and Ronnie find open graves at the cemetery, confirming a zombie outbreak. They warn residents to stay inside and prepare for the worst. Bobby and Hank plan to barricade themselves with weapons in Hank's hardware store to defend against zombies.

The dead from the graves rise again at night, attacking and killing individuals like Danny at the motel. Zelda kills two zombies with her katana at the funeral home, joining the officers to fight the undead. The town begins to descend into chaos as more bodies reanimate.

The reanimated zombies go on a rampage, destroying the town’s remnants of normal life. Farmer Frank is overrun on his farm, and Hank and Bobby are killed after zombies break into the hardware store. The teenagers in juvenile detention manage to hide and escape.

Hermit Bob watches the zombie outbreak from the forest while feasting on a stolen chicken. His perspective underscores his detached but observant stance amidst the chaos, symbolizing the disconnectedness and despair of the town.

Zombies gather in the cemetery, while the police station becomes overwhelmed when Cliff gets the patrol car stuck among the zombies. Mindy attempts to control the situation but is increasingly frustrated, especially upon discovering her grandmother is among the undead.

Zelda, the funeral home undertaker, joins the officers at the cemetery, maneuvering her car skillfully to avoid zombies. Suddenly, a UFO descends and beams her up, marking a bizarre extraterrestrial intervention amid the chaos.

With zombies closing in, Cliff and Ronnie decide to fight back instead of fleeing. They exit their vehicle armed, engaging in a desperate struggle. Hermit Bob comments on humanity’s obsession and loss of souls, highlighting the film's themes of decay and despair.

Overwhelmed by zombies, Cliff and Ronnie are subdued. Hermit Bob reflects on the messed-up world as the town succumbs to destruction. The film closes with the town's ghostly remnants and the ongoing chaos of a world lost to the undead and strange phenomena.