Cemetery Man (1994) [Severin 4K UHD Review]

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Cemetery Man (Dellamorte Dellamore, if you want to be fancy) is the type of movie that laughs in the face of genre labels. It’s a gory zombie flick wrapped in layers of Italian surrealism, existential dread, and a tragic romance that asks way more questions than it ever tries to answer. Directed by Michele Soavi in 1993, it’s a movie that feels like a fever dream you’d have after watching too many art house horror films back-to-back. This isn’t your typical undead gore fest—though, don’t worry, it’s got plenty of that too. Instead, it’s a strange meditation on life, death, and the absurdity of it all.

For years, Cemetery Man has lived in the shadows of cult fandom. The kind of movie whispered about among horror geeks and shown at midnight screenings for the die-hards. But thanks to Severin Films, it’s getting the Blu-ray treatment it so richly deserves. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Francesco Dellamorte’s undead struggles or stumbling into this madness for the first time, this Blu-ray is your chance to dive into one of the weirdest films ever made. Strap in, because things are about to get messy—and existential.

Zombies, Existential Angst, and the Life of a Cemetery Caretaker

At first glance, Cemetery Man sounds like your standard zombie movie. Francesco Dellamorte (Rupert Everett) is a graveyard caretaker in a small Italian town, where things should be peaceful but aren’t, because the dead don’t stay dead. In Buffalora, the recently deceased rise from their graves about a week after burial, and it’s up to Dellamorte to keep things under control by putting them down. Again.

But unlike most zombie flicks, this isn’t a story about survival or fear of the undead. Dellamorte treats his job like he’s clocking into another monotonous day shift. The real horror for him isn’t the zombies—it’s the crushing repetitiveness of life. Cemetery Man is existential horror at its finest, with Dellamorte stuck in a loop of burying, shooting, and re-burying corpses while spiraling deeper into his own psyche.

Alongside Dellamorte is his dim-witted but strangely lovable assistant, Gnaghi (François Hadji-Lazaro). Together, they handle the undead with the kind of indifference you’d expect from two guys who’ve been doing this a little too long. Things get more complicated when Dellamorte becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman (Anna Falchi) who keeps showing up in different forms throughout the film. She’s less of a traditional character and more of a symbol for love, death, and the unattainable—all things that Dellamorte can’t quite grasp, even though he’s surrounded by death every day.

The movie doesn’t care much for logic or plot structure. It’s a surreal, often absurd, journey that touches on big themes like the meaning of life, love, and death, while also delivering plenty of dark comedy and gore. One minute, Dellamorte is dispatching zombies with cool detachment, and the next, he’s trapped in a bizarre dream sequence that makes you question whether anything in this world matters at all.

Rupert Everett’s Dellamorte is the King of Existential Cool

Let’s be honest: Cemetery Man is Rupert Everett’s movie from start to finish. As Francesco Dellamorte, he’s got the charisma to hold it all together, even when the movie is going off the rails into full-on surrealism. He’s effortlessly cool while also playing a character on the verge of losing his grip on reality.

• Rupert Everett as Francesco Dellamorte
  As Dellamorte, Everett nails the existential weariness that defines the film. He’s not exactly a hero, but he’s not a villain either—he’s just a guy stuck in a never-ending cycle of death, trying to make sense of it all. Everett’s dry, deadpan delivery gives Dellamorte an edge, keeping the character grounded even as the world around him goes bonkers. You can’t help but feel for him as he questions whether life and death really matter when nothing ever seems to change. But at the same time, he handles zombies like he’s brushing off an annoying task, which only adds to his cool, detached vibe.
• François Hadji-Lazaro as Gnaghi
  Gnaghi is the comic relief Dellamorte needs, but he’s more than just a goofy sidekick. Played by François Hadji-Lazaro, Gnaghi communicates mostly in grunts and simple gestures, but he’s surprisingly endearing—especially when he falls in love with the severed head of a mayor’s daughter. Yeah, it’s that kind of movie. Gnaghi’s oddball romance highlights the film’s balance between grotesque horror and absurd comedy, and Hadji-Lazaro plays the role with enough heart to make you care, even if it’s bizarre.
• Anna Falchi as “She”
  Anna Falchi isn’t just playing one role—she’s a recurring figure who shifts between different archetypes of femininity throughout the film. Falchi’s character(s) represent Dellamorte’s obsession with love, lust, and death, and she pops up at various points in the movie to remind him (and us) that nothing is as simple as it seems. Falchi’s ethereal presence fits perfectly within the film’s dreamlike tone, making her more of a symbol than a traditional character.

Death, Desire, and the Absurdity of It All

What makes Cemetery Man more than just another zombie movie is its willingness to dig into some heavy existential themes. Sure, there’s plenty of zombie-killing, but the real horror here is life itself. Dellamorte’s struggle is less about surviving the undead and more about surviving his own mind. He’s trapped in a never-ending loop of death and repetition, and as the film goes on, he starts to question whether life has any meaning at all.

Cemetery Man plays with the idea that life and death are meaningless cycles. No matter how many times Dellamorte kills a zombie, it doesn’t change anything. The dead keep coming back, and life goes on in a way that feels pointless. The zombies are more of a nuisance than a threat—they’re a symptom of the larger existential dread that Dellamorte faces every day.

And then there’s the love angle, which is just as complex and surreal. Dellamorte’s obsession with “She” (Anna Falchi) is a reflection of his own inability to connect with life. She represents everything he desires but can never have, and her repeated deaths and rebirths mirror Dellamorte’s own cycle of despair and longing.

It’s a zombie movie with philosophy baked in, but don’t worry—it’s not all doom and gloom. Cemetery Man manages to balance its heavy themes with plenty of dark humor and absurdity, making it as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.

Severin’s 4K UHD: The Dead Have Never Looked This Good

So how does Severin Films’ 4K UHD release measure up? For a movie as visually striking as Cemetery Man, this upgrade is a game-changer. The restoration breathes new life into Soavi’s surreal vision, bringing out details that were probably lost in earlier versions.

• Visuals
  The 4K transfer is a revelation. The cemetery setting, with its fog, decaying graves, and gothic architecture, looks more atmospheric than ever. The contrast between the muted tones of the cemetery and the vivid, almost grotesque bursts of color (like blood) is sharper, making the film feel even more dreamlike. The zombie effects, which range from grotesque to intentionally cheesy, are clearer in all their gory glory. Whether it’s a decapitated head or a shotgun blast to a zombie’s face, the practical effects shine in this release.
• Audio
  The audio upgrade is just as impressive. The sound design, with its eerie ambiance and the unsettling score by Manuel De Sica, is more immersive than ever. Every gunshot, zombie moan, and whispered line of dialogue is crisp and clear, adding to the film’s haunting atmosphere. De Sica’s score, with its mix of dark romanticism and horror, benefits hugely from the cleaned-up audio, enhancing the film’s already unsettling vibe.

Digging into the Cult Classic’s Special Features

Severin Films didn’t just stop at a visual and audio upgrade—they packed this release with extras that any fan of Cemetery Man will appreciate.

• Interviews and Featurettes
  There’s a brand-new interview with Michele Soavi, where he talks about the challenges of blending horror with existential philosophy. It’s fascinating to hear Soavi discuss his influences, from Italian giallo to Luis Buñuel’s absurdist works. Rupert Everett also provides a dry, humorous interview about his role as Dellamorte, and François Hadji-Lazaro chimes in with some fun stories about playing Gnaghi.
• Audio Commentary
  The audio commentary from Soavi and screenwriter Gianni Romoli is a treasure trove for hardcore fans. They dive deep into the creative choices behind Cemetery Man, offering insight into everything from the film’s tone to its production challenges. If you want to know what went into making this cult classic, the commentary is a must-listen.
• Behind-the-Scenes Materials
  Rounding out the package are behind-the-scenes materials, which offer more surreal humor and character moments. These extras don’t drastically change the narrative, but they provide an additional layer of context for the film’s off-kilter world.

Cemetery Man Gets a Stunning Resurrection in 4K UHD

Cemetery Man is a one-of-a-kind movie—equal parts horror, comedy, romance, and existential crisis. It’s gory, it’s philosophical, and it’s a darkly humorous exploration of life, death, and everything in between. Severin Films’ 4K UHD release takes this cult classic and gives it the revival it deserves, with stunning visuals, improved sound, and a host of special features that make this the definitive version to own.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or discovering it for the first time, Cemetery Man in 4K UHD is an experience that will stick with you. So grab your shovel, load up your gun, and get ready to dig into the madness—because Dellamorte is back, and death has never looked this good.

Cemetery Man is now available on 4K UHD from Severin

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