Horror Sequel Marathon: Nekromantik 2 (1991)

Though now regarded as an amateurish cult classic among horror die-hards, “Nekromantik 2” explores themes taboo enough to get it seized by authorities in Munich 12 days after its release– an action that had no precedent in Germany since the Nazi era. While fascinating and peerless in its subject matter, the West German art house horror films are not ones you can un-see.

The Jörg Buttgereit-directed original came out in 1987 and follows the tragic Rob Schmadtke, who works for a company that specializes in cleaning up dead bodies from public areas– usually car accidents. This gives him the ideal opportunity to practice his hobby of necrophilia. He brings home corpses to his apartment, where he and his girlfriend have romantic relations with them. But after Rob loses his job and his girlfriend leaves him, he spirals into a sadistic, surreal depression that results in (spoiler alert) him receiving sexual gratification while committing suicide.

Released four years later by the same director, “Nekromantik 2” treads the same narrative territory. The previous film ended with a female grave digger, dressed in stockings and high heels, digging up Rob’s body. In the sequel, we get to know the grave-digger, Monika (pictured above), who ironically is also a necrophiliac. Thus, the story comes full circle.

The 2015 blu rary release of "Nekromantik 2" retains the same artwork of the original VHS cover art. The limited edition set is available to order here.
The 2015 blu ray release of “Nekromantik 2” retains the same artwork of the original VHS cover art.

According to Mondo Digital, “Nekromantik 2” became an instant word-of-mouth sensation in the horror community. After word of its legal troubles began spreading, it became a popular swap item at conventions. Film Threat issued a VHS that became an eye-catching fixture at more adventurous video stores.

The 2015 blu ray release (pictured right) includes a very brief introduction to the film by the director, who refers to the film as a romance rather than a horror movie.

But because much of the aforementioned romance occurs between Monika and a dead body, it’s difficult to accept the “romance” label in its pure form, especially with the sequel’s graphic gore and dread. Not to mention the reference to George Romero’s zombie series in Nekromantik’s tagline: “Return of the loving dead.” Also, both films feature tedious clips of animals being dissected– a rabbit in the first and a seal in the second; both of which are very explicitly used to create shock.

Like the original, the lead character struggles with her identity as necrophiliac. Although it is revealed that Monika does network with other necrophiliacs, she outwardly displays signs of shame. It’s unsettlingly easy to empathize with her character, as she genuinely perceives the corpse of Rob as her lover. In this regard, Buttgereit’s shocking sequel is, at its core, a film about a love triangle. Like the living version of Rob in the original, Monika wears her emotions on her sleeves.

Jörg Buttgereit is the only person in Germany who manages to dedicate himself to these darkest of subjects with this much charm.

-Christian Keßler, film critic

“Nekromantik 2” aims for artistic and is occasionally successful. Monika’s struggle to reject her taboo instincts for a more widely-tolerated arrangement with a live human named Mark is actually quite tender. In the most memorable scene, aside from the shocking “climax” (sorry, had to), she figuratively breaks up with Rob, by tearfully sawing his body into pieces and disposing of it. Although she does decide to keep a few select body parts including his head and one select organ.

Ultimately, “Nekromantik 2” provides much more melancholy complexity than the original. At its core, both “Nekromantik” films are about a lonely protagonist’s quest for relief from their unthinkable lust. For all its blood, gore and violence, these splatter flicks have a lot to say about the shock value of necrophilia in art and our tolerance for violence in media. “Nekromantik 2” is the most intriguing, gritty and intimate horror movie that I recommend you never watch.

***

“Nekromantik 2” is available on DVD, blu ray and digital download here on Amazon; and the original here. And be sure to check out the other entries in the Horror Sequel Marathon right here on My Vinyl Muse!

Barry Falls Jr
Barry was the managing editor of his university newspaper before contributing as a freelance content creator for Yahoo News and Esquire. He founded Horror Theory in 2014 to analyze horror films through a sociological lens.

Latest articles

Don’t Breathe (2016): The Urban Decay of Deindustrialized Detroit and United State’s Neglect of Veterans

2016 was a big year for horror films featuring home invasions. Hush showcased Oculus director Mike Flanagan’s exhilarating twist with a hearing-impaired...

Green Room (2015): The Festering Ultra-Violent Rage of ‘Angry White Males’ in Pre-Tr*mp America

It probably is not a coincidence that, in 2016, A24 released their horror-thriller masterpiece Green Room the same month that Republican presidential...

The Invitation (2015): The Spiritual Philosophy of Bereavement and the Cult of Social Civility

Tonight is the night our faith becomes real, reads the tagline for The Invitation, the psychological horror thriller that chronicles the dinner...

We Are Still Here (2015): The Supernatural Dread of Denial, Grief, and Rural Isolationism

There’s a reason why haunted-house films are such a welcomed mainstay in the horror genre. The house as a safe space and...

The Witch (2015): The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Puritan Moral Panic and Patriarchal Family Dynamics

The 2010s marked a notable resurgence of religious themes and imagery in horror film. Perhaps most faithful to theological folklore was 2015’s...

It Follows (2014): Sex, Nostalgia, and The Existential Dread of Emerging Adulthood

Sex and horror have been tethered together in film since the genre's beginnings. Horror cinema remains one of the sharpest means for...

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISMENT

Related articles

ADVERTISMENT