Review of The Dead Next Door (1989) by Alex R — 19 Jul 2012

The Dead Next Door is a poorly constructed low-budget zombie film that just doesn't work. Shot on Super 8 mm film, the film right from the start has an amateur feel to it. This is a film that is supposed to be homage to all the Romero films.

Although I admire the use of Super 8, and what they managed to accomplish with such a low-budget, this film has no real plot or no substance. This could have been a very good film, instead it fails and lacks anything to really peak a horror fan's interest.

J.R Bookwalter's directing is sloppy and unfocused. The film just fails because it doesn't tell a consistent story. The film could have been a fine low-budget tribute if the script would have been better.

Unfortunately, the film is bad due to stupid overdubbing to make it sound like Bruce Campbell and other horror icons are in the flick. Unfortunately it makes the film unbearable, and it's a chore to watch.

The biggest problems with this film are the script, acting and directing. Although the film has great gore effects considering the budget, it's simply not worth seeing. The acting itself is horrible, cheesy and laughable and the script goes out all over the place.

This is a poorly made that you can tell that no real effort went into making something good and watchable. The filmmakers went for the gore factor, and though impressive, it doesn't make this a good film.

This was bad, and if you love a good zombie flick, pass up on this one, and watch something else. The Dead Next Door simply isn't worth watching.