Seven Cemeteries (2024) is a gritty, over-the-top horror-western that blends supernatural thrills with classic revenge tropes. Directed by John Gulager and starring Danny Trejo, the film tells the tale of Santana Bravo, a hardened ex-gangster recently released from prison. Upon returning to his old home, Santana finds the land and people under siege from a brutal drug lord. With nowhere else to turn, he makes a deal with a mysterious witch to resurrect his long-dead crew from seven different cemeteries to help him fight back.
What unfolds is a wild, blood-soaked journey filled with undead gunslingers, dark magic, and a surprising dose of dark humor. Trejo delivers exactly what fans expect: stoic grit, growling one-liners, and ruthless action. His gang of resurrected outlaws includes an eccentric mix of personalities—each one a caricature of Western archetypes, from the silent sniper to the explosives-happy bandit. The film embraces its B-movie roots with confidence, using campy effects and exaggerated performances to heighten the fun.
Visually, Seven Cemeteries leans into its western-fantasy style with dusty ghost towns, moonlit graveyards, and mystical rituals set against burning desert backdrops. The costume and production design are surprisingly creative given the film’s modest budget. While the CGI doesn’t always impress, the practical effects and stylized gore do their job in delivering pulpy entertainment.
The story itself is straightforward: a man wronged, a town in danger, and a magical resurrection leading to a final standoff. It’s nothing new, but the undead twist adds freshness to familiar ground. The film’s greatest strength lies in not taking itself too seriously. It knows exactly what it is—fast, loud, pulpy—and never tries to reach for more than sheer entertainment.
Some viewers may find the dialogue clunky or the pacing uneven, especially in the quieter scenes. The emotional moments feel thin, and character development beyond Santana is minimal. But for fans of cult horror, grindhouse aesthetics, or Danny Trejo’s signature tough-guy persona, these flaws are part of the charm.
In conclusion, Seven Cemeteries is a campy, undead-fueled revenge ride that mixes action, horror, and humor with a Western flair. It’s not high art, but it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s bold, bloody, and built for fans who enjoy chaotic fun and supernatural showdowns with a bullet-ridden bite.