Re-Animator

Right now you can watch Re-Animator in Australia on Foxtel Now, and in the US on Fandor and Hoopla — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. 1,693 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Watch it for Jeffrey Combs — stay for everyone else around them. Put it on tonight on Foxtel Now and see for yourself.

There is a reason Re-Animator keeps coming up in conversation. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Re-Animator from the crowd. Conducting clandestine experiments within the morgue at Miskatonic University, scientist Herbert West reveals to a fellow graduate student his groundbreaking work concerning the re-animation of fresh corpses. Jeffrey Combs and Bruce Abbott lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1985. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Re-Animator holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Re-Animator respects your intelligence. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Jeffrey Combs is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.