Zombie Nightmare 1987

William Washington's sacrifice

William Washington is fatally stabbed while defending a young girl from two white teenage boys. His death shocks the community and sets in motion the ripple effects that haunt his family for years. The event frames the film's exploration of heroism turned tragedy.

Tony Washington rises in baseball

Years later, Tony follows in his father's footsteps and becomes a baseball player. He faces expectations and tragedy as he tries to forge his own path. This growth establishes the personal stakes before the fateful violence returns.

Grocery store robbery interrupted

The day of the grocery-store robbery, Tony disrupts the crime and is struck and killed by a car full of teenagers named Bob, Amy, Jim, Peter, and Susie. His body is carried to his home, where his mother Louise mourns. This moment triggers Molly Mekembe, the girl William saved, to intervene later in the story.

Louise seeks repayment from Molly

Louise mourns Tony's death and contacts Molly Mekembe, the girl William saved, asking her to repay the favor. Molly is revealed to be a Haitian voodoo priestess who will resurrect Tony. The reunion deepens the bond between the families and sets the stage for Tony's return.

Molly resurrects Tony as a zombie

Molly uses her powers to resurrect Tony as a zombie and guides him toward the teenagers to seek revenge. The occult magic marks a radical turn from ordinary grief to supernatural justice. Tony becomes a weapon in the revived plan for retaliation.

Tony targets Peter and Susie at the gym

The next night, Tony tracks Peter and Susie to an academy gymnasium and fatally breaks Peter's neck. He also kills Susie by crushing her skull with a baseball bat. The murders alarm the town and begin a brutal string of vengeance.

Sorrell investigates; Churchman frames the killings

Police detective Frank Sorrell investigates the killings as inconsistencies arise. Police Captain Tom Churchman publicly claims the deaths were the result of a drug-induced murder-suicide. The mismatch between the official story and the survivor's clues drives Sorrell to search for truth.

Fred is killed en route; Molly's involvement hinted

Sorrell hints Molly's involvement in Jim's death, but Churchman dismisses it. Fred, Jim's father, goes to the police station to confront Churchman but is killed by Tony en route.

Bob and Amy flee; garage killings

Fearing retaliation, Bob and Amy attempt to flee town by stealing money from Jim's uncle's garage. Tony tracks them down and kills both, escalating the revenge arc. The town reels from the new wave of violence.

Sorrell survives Tony's attack

Sorrell is attacked by Tony but survives the encounter. He remains determined to uncover the truth behind the killings and begins to connect the dots to Molly and the supernatural elements at play.

Churchman abducts Molly; Sorrell tails Tony

Churchman abducts Molly and forces her at gunpoint to reveal Tony's destination. Sorrell follows Tony to a cemetery as the bodies accumulate and tensions rise.

Revelations at the cemetery

Molly and Churchman reveal that Molly resurrected Tony to avenge herself and that Churchman and Fred attacked her years ago. The revelation reframes the motive for the killings and Tony's return, intensifying the stakes as vengeance becomes personal for everyone involved.

Tony is shot; Molly is killed

Churchman shoots Tony, ending his immediate revival power. Molly tries to cast a spell but is killed by Churchman. Sorrell is left to process the grim aftermath as he contemplates the final consequences.