In a town where death has been banned, there are few people more shunned than the Undertaker. Doctor Caligari (Antonio Amoruso) can’t sell his coffins – and his reverence of death prevents him from jumping on the trend of resurrection. Business beyond dwindling, and his personal life on the brink of total destruction, he is faced with some impossible choices – fighting age, trends, and his own mortality.

Irreverent, raunchy, cartoon mayhem, Resurrection Corporation doesn’t hold anything back. Necrophilia, robophilia, capitalism, and death death death are all on the table, with bold-faced honesty and even brashness. Thanatophobia- the phobic fear of death – runs through the streets, and the trend of resurrection and eternal life runs rampant. Poor Caligari (aptly named, as the entire film has a distinctly German Expressionist air) simply can’t get ahead, and his turmoil is our entertainment. Hilarious, but shocking – Resurrection Corporation had me gasping and covering my mouth with my hand more than once. This may be a cartoon, but it’s definitely NOT for kids.

Somehow, Resurrection Corporation is able to morph simple, flash style animation into some very harrowing images, that will stick with you long after viewing. The Italian sensibilities of the film are deliciously jarring for an American audience – not much is left to the imagination, and the absurd crashes slam-bang into the frightening and disturbing. Not so much a rollercoaster as a log flume ride, Resurrection Corporation builds and builds until it spirals and crashes into total insanity.

I am a huge fan, eternally (no pun intended) of horror/comedy. Writer Mattia De Pascali has infused humor into the darkest of corners of this gritty, grimy town and these insane and remarkably morose characters. It’s funny, sad, and horrifying all at once. A crushing reminder of mortality – and morality, through a cartoony, black and white lens.

7 out of 10