Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead | 2006
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead is a unique blend of black comedy, musical, and horror that was released in 2006. Directed by the renowned Lloyd Kaufman and co-directed by Gabriel Friedman, the film features a screenplay crafted by Friedman and Daniel Bova.
Set in New Jersey, the story unfolds at a fried chicken fast food restaurant that becomes the epicenter of chaos when it is built atop a sacred Native American burial ground. The plot thickens as possessed zombie chickens rise to take over the establishment, leading to a series of outrageous and humorous events.
Initially released on December 29, 2006, the film later found its way to DVD in 2008, thanks to Troma Entertainment. With its outrageous premise and cult following, Poultrygeist has solidified its place in the realm of cult cinema.
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead follows the chaotic journey of high school sweethearts Arbie and Wendy, who attempt to consummate their relationship in a Native American burial ground. Their romantic moment is interrupted by a voyeur, who meets a gruesome fate at the hands of zombie hands emerging from the ground.
Fast forward to a college semester later, Arbie returns to find the burial ground replaced by an American Chicken Bunker, a fast-food franchise. He is disheartened to discover that Wendy has transformed into a politically active liberal, protesting the restaurant's construction alongside her girlfriend, Micki. Fueled by disillusionment and a desire for revenge, Arbie takes a job at the Chicken Bunker, where he encounters a quirky cast of characters, including the paranoid manager Denny and a mysterious old man in the basement.
As the story unfolds, Paco, a co-worker, meets a grisly end in a meat grinder, and Arbie learns of a sinister plot involving the spirits of Native Americans and the vengeful souls of slaughtered chickens. The film escalates into absurdity with bizarre scenes, including Carl Jr.'s unfortunate encounter with an uncooked chicken and General Lee Roy's transformation into a chicken zombie after a series of grotesque events.
The climax sees the restaurant's patrons, workers, and protesters turning into zombie chickens, leading to a chaotic showdown. Arbie and Wendy discover that beer is the key to defeating the chicken zombies, and after a series of explosive confrontations, they manage to escape just as the building explodes. However, their escape is marred by a final twist when the child they rescue begins to cluck and lay an egg, leading to a fatal car crash.
In a humorous conclusion, the credits roll with chicken zombies dancing to a reprise of the film's theme, encapsulating the film's blend of horror and comedy.
