Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead

Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead is a unique blend of comedy, horror, and musical genres that brings audiences an unforgettable cinematic journey that's sure to have them laughing, gasping, and humming all at once. This 2006 film, directed by the legendary cult filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman and released under his studio Troma Entertainment, has achieved a certain infamous reputation because it delves into territories lesser explored in mainstream cinema.

The film showcases the talents of Jason Yachanin, Kate Graham, Allyson Sereboff, among other actors who have brought to life a bizarre, outlandish narrative surrounding fast food, consumerism, social commentary, and vengeful chicken-ghosts. Yes, you read that right, vengeful chicken-ghosts.

The film is set in the small town of Tromaville, an allegorical everytown, where our protagonist, Arbie, played by Jason Yachanin, sees his beloved high school hangout spot, an Indian burial ground, get a 21st-century makeover. It is replaced with the latest franchise of a fast-food chicken diner named American Chicken Bunker. The issue? His girlfriend, Wendy (played by Kate Graham), is employed there, and to make matters worse, she has found a new lover who flaunts progressive ideologies which Arbie clearly despises.

Battered and irked by the circumstances, Arbie decides to get hired at the chicken joint, driven more by the intention to disrupt his girlfriend's new relationship than any desire to work there. This essentially sets the stage for the enthralling chaos that is about to unfold, as Arbie and Wendy find themselves, along with a motley crew of their coworkers, in the middle of a zany supernatural outbreak.

The chickens who met their unsightly demise at the diner decide to return from their graves, possessed by the spirits of the offended Native Americans whose burial ground was defaced for the restaurant. What follows is a hysterical mesh of gore, horror, humor and quite a bit of singing and dancing.

One of the unique aspects of Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead is its musical format. It injects an unexpected rhythm and pace to the narrative formula of a horror-comedy, underscoring its satirical aspects and adding an extra layer of absurdity. The movie doesn’t shy away from emphasizing its B-movie roots, with intentionally over-the-top gore, low-budget special effects, and provocative humor. Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead is a film that knows what it is, and it wholly leans into the madness of its premise to deliver unabashed entertainment.

The performances by the cast, while unapologetically overblown, perfectly fit the tone and style Kaufman is going for. Yachanin does an excellent job as Arbie, enthusiastically embracing the character’s combination of naivety, jealousy, and defiance. Graham's performance as Wendy is quite commendable as well, as she finds just the right balance between horror-damsel and empowered female character. Allyson Sereboff and the rest of the cast also do a fantastic job, fully committing to the wild madness that this film demands.

The film also incorporates socio-political undertones throughout its narrative, serving up critiques on consumerism, classism, animal abuse, and numerous other themes, often hidden beneath layers of gleeful chaos. However, the major strength of Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead lies in its unabashed absurdity, opting for an unfiltered delivery of its outrageous sense of humor and some truly unforgettable characters.

Whether you’re a fan of the horror-comedy genre, a dedicated follower of Troma Entertainment, or simply a cinephile looking for something unique and offbeat, Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead surely won’t disappoint. Combining elements of comedy, horror, musical and even social commentary, Lloyd Kaufman’s Poultrygeist is an unrestrained celebration of B-movie cinema that delivers laughs, shrieks, and catchy tunes in equal measure. Love it or hate it, this is one film difficult to ignore. So, brace yourselves for this wild ride filled with possessed poultry and let yourself experience the delicious madness it serves!