Winner of the Audience Award at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival in the Pro-Am Feature category, Rigamortis: A Zombie Love Story is a zombie musical love story that takes place shortly after humanity has shut down a zombie outbreak. There are two zombies left, Zoey (Lisa Musser) and Parker (Maxwell Glick), and while they're spending their time hiding from ace zombie hunter Brock (Boston Stergis) they can't help but fall in love.

Co-directed by Ted Campbell and Dave Dewes and co-written by Dewes and Jenny Stolte, Rigamortis spins its zombie charm with equal parts Evil Dead, Michael Jackson's Thriller and another similarly themed zombie short (and one of this website's highest rated shorts) called Zombie Prom.

Rigamortis was released simultaneously as a three-part short film/web series and continues to be available for viewing on the film's website. If you enjoy it, or you simply wish to support up-and-coming indie filmmakers, you can also pick up the film on Itunes for a reasonable fee.

Maxwell Glick (lonelygirl15) and newcomer Lisa Musser make for a delightful undead pairing of not still beating hearts, infusing their characters with heart and humor that dance mightily on that fine line between camp and caricature. Glick is hilarious as a zombie willing to even forsake the customary eating of brains in order to please the oh so charming zombie chick of his dreams.

As Brock, all swagger with touches of sincerity, Boston Stergis manages to avoid a one-note caricature and yet he's also clearly in touch with the film's rather campy potential. The film's supporting cast is just a bit more hit-and-miss, some playing it all just a tad too seriously while others a bit too broadly drawn.

Jenny Stolte's camera work is inventive and fun, while the original music from Greg Szydkowski is lyrically clever if not particularly memorable in nature.

While not quite as spirited and spontaneous as the damn near perfect Zombie Prom, Rigamortis is still a fresh and entertaining homage to zombie flicks and pop culture. For more information on the film, visit the website listed in the credits.

© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic