White Zombie (1932) PG-13

White Zombie (1932) stands as the first feature-length zombie film, directed by Victor Halperin and starring Bela Lugosi. The movie draws viewers into a haunting tale of dark magic, colonial superstition, and gothic horror, establishing many visual and thematic elements that would influence decades of zombie cinema.

Set in Haiti, the story follows a young couple, Madeleine and Neil, who arrive at a plantation owned by Charles Beaumont. Beaumont, consumed by his unrequited love for Madeleine, seeks help from the sinister voodoo master “Murder” Legendre, played with eerie intensity by Bela Lugosi. Legendre uses his powers to transform Madeleine into a zombie, sparking a desperate struggle to rescue her soul and undo the sorcery.

White Zombie is drenched in atmosphere, with shadowy sets, haunting performances, and an unsettling score that contribute to its chilling mood. Though made on a modest budget, the film’s surreal, dreamlike style and Lugosi’s hypnotic presence have given it a lasting cult status. It paved the way for zombie narratives in horror and remains a fascinating artifact of early Hollywood experimentation with the supernatural.