While they are few and far between, interesting horror movies from the 90's do exist. After many pointless sequels and micro-budget abominations in the late 80's, the genre bottomed out and by the 90's, anything worthwhile, low-budget or mainstream alike, was a rarity. Over the years, I've come across overlooked films that may have flown under the radar, mostly from the first half of the decade, and mostly micro-budgeted unknowns that most Horror fans wouldn't even consider giving a chance. Back in the mid-90's, when I was still renting movies the old fashion way, I came across a film called Shatter Dead. Looking at the cover, I realized immediately it was something different. The tagline "God Hates You" was also a good indication of this. So, I rented it, and despite being a somewhat terrible, inept, shot-on-video movie, there was just something about it that I found fascinating. Something surreal, and original. Even hypnotic at times. And now, 20 years later, after seeing just about every S.O.V. Horror flick the 80's had to offer, I'm fairly positive there has never been anything like shatter Dead, before or since.

A bit artsy, with a dark, slightly sacreligeous tone, Shatter Dead is a different approach to the Zombie story than what we were used to at the time. But first things first. In the beginning, we are treated to a hot, lesbian sex scene between a human and an Angel, which is cut short as we are now seeing the world 17 months later. The aftermath, so to speak. One can only figure this out by reading the back of the box, as the movie gives us no indication, but the Angel on human, lesbian fun we had witnessed angered God so much that he has taken away human's ability to die. I mean, they still die, but the soul remains no matter what. The world is now in panic and chaos. People are divided. Some see this curse as a gift of immortality and embrace it. Others, not so much. Some still view the gift of life as something that should be held on to at all costs, even when death is no longer the end. The living dead are not zombies. They are unfortunates, a nuisance, often victims, and sometimes a menace. There is no epidemic. But there is also no hope.

Susan, some badass bitch who never smiles, is trying to make her way home to her boyfriend, but keeps on getting caught up in living dead bullshit. Susan has no tolerance for these "people" and frankly, is just looking for a reason to blow one away. After setting one on fire for trying to steal her gas, she gets her car stolen by some pro-death radical group led by some old bastard called "The Preacherman". The resilient Susan soon steals herself another car off a corpse, only to be forced to stay in a boarding house for the living due to a nationwide curfew. Susan meets some odd, but interesting characters in this surreal environment. Some hit on here, some want her soap, but all Susan is interested in is getting some sleep. Unfortunately, all hell breaks loose as Pericles Lewnes and Howard Stern (The New Order) go on a rampage. A frustrated Susan bails, and avoids becoming part of the bloodbath. now, once again, on her way to her boyfriend, Susan very well may regret her final destination once she gets arrives.

Here's a movie I doubt will ever get the recognition it deserves. Shatter Dead certainly has its fans, but said fanbase would mostly be within that of Sub Rosa, or just people who actively search for the obscure and unique. Dawn of The Dead, it isn't. I wouldn't even call it a remotely good movie, although, that's mostly due to the tiny budget which shows quite often. However, those of us willing to look past the many obvious flaws, might notice something worthwhile underneath it all. Something dark, something unusual. Indescribable qualities rarely captured. Director, Scooter McCrae's apocalyptic vision, along with Stark Raven's unintentionally funny portrayal of the indifferent sourpuss, Susan, makes this 90's Z-grade sorta-zombie flick very much worth seeking out. 6/10