
Otto; or, Up with Dead People
Seen it?2008 | 94 min | Drama, Horror, Comedy
Why it’s a Weeknight Watch
With almost no lasting buzz and middling reviews (50% on Rotten Tomatoes), it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and horror fans. If you loved The Return of the Living Dead or Shaun of the Dead, start here.
- The mood
- Scary.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 34 min.
- What might put you off
- Nothing much for most grown-ups.
A young zombie named Otto appears on a remote highway. He has no idea where he came from or where he is going. After hitching a ride to Berlin and nesting in an abandoned amusement park, he begins to explore the city. Soon he is discovered by underground filmmaker Medea Yarn, who begins to make a documentary about him with the support of her girlfriend, Hella Bent, and her brother Adolf, who operates the camera. Meanwhile, Medea is still trying to finish Up with Dead People, the epic political-porno-zombie movie that she has been working on for years. She convinces its star, Fritz Fritze, to allow the vulnerable Otto to stay in his guest bedroom. When Otto discovers that he has a wallet that contains information about his past, before he was dead, he begins to remember details about his ex-boyfriend, Rudolf. He arranges to meet him at the schoolyard where they met, with devastating results.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 34 on Metacritic
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$11K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 7K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Return of the Living DeadSaturday SpecialAnother zombie horror comedy, and a Saturday Special.
Shaun of the DeadFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed zombie horror comedy.
Boo! A Madea HalloweenWeeknight WatchAnother zombie horror comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
FrankensteinFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
Berlin SyndromeSunday Safe BetAnother drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Bruce LaBruce
- Jey CrisfarOtto
- Katharina KlewinghausMedea Yarn / Lascivious Ballet Dancer #1
- Susanne SachßeHella Bent / Lascivious Ballet Dancer #2
- Marcel SchluttFritz Fritze
- Gio Black PeterRudolf
- Guido SommerAdolf
- Christophe CheminMaximilian
- Max Di CostanzoAmusement Park Zombie #1
- Nicholas Fox RicciardiYoung Man in Hooded Sweatshirt
- Keith BöhmMan in a Suit and Hat