Vinegar Syndrome

The Laughing Dead

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Disclaimer: The 'OOP' edition of this release is still in stock since there were leftovers following our 2025 Labor Day sale. Available for a limited time only.

This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Robert Sammelin) was limited to 5,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.

A busload of travelers and their guide, on the hunt for Aztec ruins, decide to stop in an all but forgotten-to-time Mexican village, on the eve of the Day of the Dead. The tour leader, a disgraced priest, is enlisted by a local doctor to perform what he believes to be an exorcism, but in actuality, the doctor is using him to begin a diabolical ritual intended to bring about Hell on Earth!

Among the weirder and more original indie horror films to pop up at the tail end of the 80s, Thai born filmmaker Somtow Sucharitkul's THE LAUGHING DEAD, which he directed, wrote, produced, scored, and acts in, plays heavily into the colorful, gory, and effortlessly surreal tropes of Asian horror films of the 70s and early 80s, but relocates the setting to rural Mexico. Reveling in plentiful and creative death scenes (including a human 'basketball'), all gorgeously photographed by David Boyd (The Walking Dead), Vinegar Syndrome is delighted to present the world Blu-ray debut of THE LAUGHING DEAD, newly restored in 4K from its original negative.

directed by: Somtow Sucharitkul
starring: Tim Sullivan, Wendy Webb, Premika Eaton, Patrick Roskowick, Larry Kagen, Krista Keim
1989 / 91 min / 1.85:1 / English Stereo

Additional info:

Region Free Blu-ray
Newly scanned & restored in 4k from its 35mm original negative
Commentary track with writer/director/producer Somtow Sucharitkul
“Unholy Assembly: Crafting The Laughing Dead” - an extended making-of documentary with: director Somtow Sucharitkul, producer Lex Nakashima, actress Premika Eaton, actor Tim Sullivan, cinematographer David Boyd, associate producer/second unit director Michael Deak, costume designer Shellagh Hannigan and transportation/pa Ron Ford
Reversible cover artwork
English SDH subtitles

Overall rating: 4.26875 / 5 from 320 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

The Laughing Dead is a restored horror film with a Mayan theme, praised for its excellent visuals, practical effects, and fantastic transfer. The slipcover artwork is highly appreciated, and the release is considered fantastic by customers.

Summary topics

Horror Film Quality: 17%
Horror Experience: 8%
Visual Quality: 7%
Slipcover Artwork: 5%
Video Transfer Quality: 12%

Review topics: ["quality","design","looks","picture","packaging","sound","service","buy","effects","movie","film","transfer","horror","slipcover","release","flick","art","artwork","acting","restoration","fun","gore","watch","features","ride","gem","extras","story","moments","slip"].

Review highlights

"I love these kinds of genre films, fun little cheap horror movie." — Joonas H.
"Overall, a solid recommendation, The film looks great and the packaging is solid." — Stephen P.
"I really loved this movie, and the packaging and extras are great as well." — David R.

Reviews

Laughing Dead

"This is a blind buy but I feel like everything I have seen about this movie makes me believe it’s going to be right up my alley. Plus the artwork is so sick."

— Ian R. (5/5)

Pure 80s Bizarre Gore!

"A true 80s madness. It mixes gore, surreal comedy, and a finale that includes an Aztec basketball game. A bizarre gem you cannot miss!"

— Pablo R. (3/5)

Maybe will not laugh but will be smiling

"wildly bizarre, low-budget Mexican horror-comedy featuring plentiful, jaw-dropping practical gore effects. Featuring an amazing climax that packs in Aztec cult rituals, zombie basketball, and giant kaiju-style creature battles."

— Kevin G. (5/5)

This movie was way better

"This movie was way better than I expected. I honestly had never heard of it and I cannot recommend it enough. Grab a copy of this quality release right now."

— Jeffrey W. (5/5)

A mix of horror, sci-fi and creature feature!!

"Another great blind buy here! Do you love sci-fi? And creature features? Horror? This movie has all of these and is cheesy and trashy and it can be. Just get this one, you will laugh a lot. My highest recommendation!!"

— GILBERTO C. (5/5)

Some Great Gore

"Movie: Based on the synopsis I assumed that this movie would take place in Mexico, but it's about as convincing as the Mexico set from Arrested Development. It takes awhile for the movie to get going, but once it does there are some really fun gore effects, and the plot gets stupid in an entertaining way. Extras: The making of is maybe 30-45 minutes, which is a good length for this movie and doesn't overstay its welcome. Packaging: Bonus points for reversible cover. It's always nice to have a choice of original poster and new art."

— Gideon M. (4/5)

Great restoration looks great with

"Great restoration looks great with extras love the slips cover but this movie wasnt too good"

— Will S. (3/5)

Unknown to me Aztec end

"Unknown to me Aztec end times late 80s."

— Miles M. (5/5)

Totally delivers that weird late night horror vibe

"Checked out The Laughing Dead Blu-ray and it totally delivers that weird late night horror vibe. The transfer looks solid, the gore pops, and the movie is just gloriously unhinged. Easily one for fans of deep cut cult films."

— Josh W. (5/5)

Odd but charming

"Odd flick, but pretty enjoyable when it picks up. Some incredible effects and beautiful color grading."

— Jose T. (5/5)