Writer/director Jeff Dunn put a lot of effort into Zombie Cult Massacre, and it pays off.  Besides a fine cast (who were willing to do just about anything for the sake of this picture), a lot of credit goes to Jim Vanbebber (& Dave Molloy) whose special effects enhance the creepy feel of the movie.

An unsuspecting couple drive down a dirt road and accidentally hit a man who is in the middle of the path.  When Marvin (Michael Botouchis) and his wife Sally (Lani Ford) attempt to help the person, the victim bites Marvin in the arm!  Jumping in the car, he tells Sally to get out of there pronto but she panics.  Out of nowhere, another car comes by with a few people who are ready to take care of business.  They shoot the zombie (and several others that are closing in) much to the relief of Marvin and Sally. 

They introduce themselves as members of a religious order who are out to stop the devil and his undead disciples.  Robert Elkins (Coal Miner's Daughter) plays Jeffrey, a religious cult leader who has a Jim Jones presence.

His followers are just about as crazed as he is!  After Marv and Sally are taken to the Reverend Jeff, he gives them a little revival meeting, where Marvin becomes a convert...the hard way!

Zombie Cult Massacre takes off in many different directions, but is never dull.  Jeff Dunn has made a horror film that rises above the constant unwatchable made for video horror films that hit the market.  I'm certain that fans who buy independent tapes are impressed by glossy cover boxes and a well-written plot synopsis, but when they bring the movie home and press "play", it's the same old amateur hour.  In the course of two hours, we see enough bloodletting to keep any gorehound glued to the set, a cornucopia of special effects, from comp0uter animation to Savini-esque splatter.  There's naked women, even a song number thrown in for good measure!  The religious zealots are quite a bunch too!   They have their fire and brimstone services (which includes dancing with snakes in the name of the Lord), then they cap off their night singing a heavy metal tune with the congregation, then return to the compound where the alcohol flows free, the gals are ready for a roll in the hay, and the heroin is there for the taking.  Hallelujah!

Dunn is obviously a fan of Bloodsucking Freaks, The Dead Trilogy, Bad Taste, Army of Darkness, and Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things.  I noticed many references to those films in Zombie Cult Massacre, but it doesn't take away from the film's mood, if anything, it enhances it.  From the Pentecostal pestilence to the bikers Vs' the born-agains finale, this is pure escapism with no excuses.