Dead Heat (1988) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Two resurrected detectives hunt the coroner responsible for their deaths while uncovering a corporate resurrection conspiracy.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Impossible Heist

Detectives Mortis and Bigelow survive a violent robbery by criminals who defy death. Rebecca's morgue revelation confirms the bodies were previously autopsied and left voluntarily, shifting the investigation toward a corporate conspiracy.

Key Events

• Jewelry Store Shootout — Police engage heavily armed robbers who survive multiple gunshot wounds. Characters: Det. Roger Mortis, Det. Doug Bigelow, Patrolman Location: Jewelry Store
• Morgue Autopsy Revelation — Rebecca confirms the robbers were previously autopsied and left the morgue on their own. Characters: Det. Roger Mortis, Det. Doug Bigelow Location: City Morgue
• Chemical Compound Trace — Detectives link the preservative in the bodies to a specific corporate order. Characters: Det. Roger Mortis, Det. Doug Bigelow Location: Morgue Lab

Resurrection Discovery

The detectives trace a preservative chemical to a corporate facility, where Doug encounters a reanimated biker. Roger is killed in a decompression chamber, but Rebecca and Doug use the discovered machine to bring him back.

Key Events

• Chemical Compound Trace — Detectives link the preservative in the bodies to a specific corporate order. Characters: Det. Roger Mortis, Det. Doug Bigelow Location: Morgue Lab
• Corporate Facility Tour — Randi guides the detectives through the company's secure research grounds. Characters: Randi James, Det. Roger Mortis, Det. Doug Bigelow Location: Corporate Research Facility
• Doug's Biker Zombie Encounter — Doug discovers a reanimated biker operating a bizarre mechanical device. Characters: Det. Doug Bigelow, Pool Zombie Location: Restricted Lab Wing
• Roger's Decompression Death — Roger is knocked into a decompression room and killed by an unknown operator. Characters: Det. Roger Mortis, Det. Doug Bigelow Location: Decompression Chamber
• Roger's Resurrection — Rebecca and Doug use the machine to successfully bring Roger back from the dead. Characters: Det. Doug Bigelow, Det. Roger Mortis Location: Morgue Lab

Shadows of the Undead

Randi James reveals her undead status and corporate ties after surviving an attack. Doug is murdered in a fish tank, and Randi dissolves while confessing her role as a test subject, deepening the conspiracy.

Key Events

• Roger's Resurrection — Rebecca and Doug use the machine to successfully bring Roger back from the dead. Characters: Det. Doug Bigelow, Det. Roger Mortis Location: Morgue Lab
• Randi's House Attack — Two undead thugs attack Randi, but the detectives subdue them. Characters: Randi James, Det. Roger Mortis, Det. Doug Bigelow, Pool Zombie Location: Randi's Residence
• Laudermilk's Tomb Visit — Roger and Randi visit the industrialist's grave, where Roger finds a vital numeric code. Characters: Randi James, Det. Roger Mortis Location: Cemetery
• Doug's Fish Tank Death — The detectives return to find Doug dead, having been drowned in a fish tank. Characters: Det. Doug Bigelow, Randi James, Det. Roger Mortis Location: Randi's Residence
• Randi's Undead Confession — Randi reveals she is an undead test subject and dissolves while asking for forgiveness. Characters: Randi James, Det. Roger Mortis Location: Randi's Residence
• McNab Confrontation — Roger confronts McNab, who links the code to his secret resurrection operations. Characters: Dr. Ernest McNab, Det. Roger Mortis Location: Coroner's Office

Final Confrontation

Roger confronts McNab, leading to a deadly ambulance chase. Roger infiltrates the lab, rescues Doug's memory, resurrects McNab, and triggers a machine overload that destroys the technology and kills the villain.

Key Events

• McNab Confrontation — Roger confronts McNab, who links the code to his secret resurrection operations. Characters: Dr. Ernest McNab, Det. Roger Mortis Location: Coroner's Office
• Ambulance Chase & Crash — McNab locks Roger and Rebecca's body in an ambulance, releases the brakes, and crashes it. Characters: Dr. Ernest McNab, Det. Roger Mortis Location: Highway
• Laboratory Client Pitch — McNab and a resurrected Laudermilk pitch the machine to wealthy investors. Characters: Dr. Ernest McNab, Randi James, Pool Zombie Location: Resurrection Lab
• Roger's Lab Infiltration — Roger storms the lab, triggering a crossfire that kills several rich clients. Characters: Det. Roger Mortis, Dr. Ernest McNab, Pool Zombie Location: Resurrection Lab
• Doug's Resurrection & Memory Loss — McNab resurrects Doug, but brain deterioration leaves him as a memory-less zombie. Characters: Dr. Ernest McNab, Det. Doug Bigelow, Det. Roger Mortis Location: Resurrection Lab
• Doug's Memory Recovery — Roger triggers Doug's short-term memory, restoring his identity and partnership. Characters: Det. Roger Mortis, Det. Doug Bigelow Location: Resurrection Lab
• McNab's Suicide & Resurrection — McNab kills himself to avoid capture, but Roger and Doug resurrect him on the table. Characters: Dr. Ernest McNab, Det. Roger Mortis, Det. Doug Bigelow Location: Resurrection Lab
• Machine Overload & Explosion — Roger restarts the resurrection process on McNab, causing the machine to overload and explode. Characters: Dr. Ernest McNab, Det. Roger Mortis, Det. Doug Bigelow Location: Resurrection Lab
• Machine Destruction & Farewell — The detectives destroy the machine, ponder reincarnation, and share a final friendship farewell. Characters: Det. Roger Mortis, Det. Doug Bigelow Location: Resurrection Lab

Story Breakdown

• The Zombie Robbery Setup — Introduction of the undead criminals and the detectives' survival against impossible odds.
  • Violent Shootout — Police engage robbers who ignore fatal wounds.
  • Morgue Revelation — Coroner confirms bodies were previously autopsied.
• Corporate Conspiracy Unveiled — Tracing chemical evidence leads to a secretive research facility and its PR representative.
  • Facility Tour — Randi guides detectives through secure research grounds.
  • Restricted Wing Discovery — Doug encounters a reanimated biker and a strange machine.
• Resurrection Technology — The machine's ability to bring the dead back is confirmed, altering the detectives' fate.
  • Roger's Decompression Death — Roger is killed in a chamber by an unknown operator.
  • Successful Revival — Rebecca and Doug use the machine to resurrect Roger.
• Partner Deaths & Resurrections — The investigation turns deadly as both detectives face murder and subsequent revival.
  • Doug's Fish Tank Murder — Doug is found dead after being drowned in a tank.
  • Doug's Memory Restoration — Roger triggers Doug's memories, restoring his partnership.
• Final Showdown — Roger confronts McNab, leading to a high-speed chase and lab infiltration.
  • Ambulance Crash — McNab sends Roger and Rebecca's body down a highway.
  • Lab Infiltration — Roger storms the facility, triggering a deadly crossfire.
• Machine Destruction — The resurrection technology is overloaded and destroyed, ending the conspiracy.
  • McNab's Resurrection — Detectives resurrect McNab to exact revenge.
  • Explosion & Aftermath — The machine overloads, killing McNab and destroying the lab.

Directed by

Mark Goldblatt

Key Cast

• Treat Williams — Det. Roger Mortis
• Joe Piscopo — Det. Doug Bigelow
• Lindsay Frost — Randi James
• Darren McGavin — Dr. Ernest McNab
• Vincent Price — Arthur P. Loudermilk