[3] It is a period film about grave robbing, starring Dominic Monaghan, Ron Perlman, Larry Fessenden and Angus Scrimm.

[4] While awaiting his execution for murder and grave robbery, Arthur Blake (Dominic Monaghan) is visited by Father Duffy (Ron Perlman), who wishes to obtain a statement from the condemned to be used as a cautionary tale.

Arthur became Willie's apprentice following the death of Blake's father, forcing the young man to find a job to support his family.

The job proved profitable on its face, but both Arthur and Willie's ability to make money was severely hampered by the interference of Doctor Quint (Angus Scrimm), who frequently blackmailed the two into obtaining corpses for free under threat of notifying the police of their activities.

Digging up a corpse buried at a cross-roads, the two were confused when they found a garlic wreath around the body's neck and a wooden stake in its chest.

Willie was able to fend her off briefly with a shovel, and when she attacked him he managed to plunge the stake back into her chest, causing her to go immediately limp.

Freed of their blackmailer and now aware of a new market for their skills, Arthur and Willie shifted their career towards the supernatural side of grave robbing.

Willie and Arthur initially turned down the job, not wishing to cross paths with the Murphys, but at Fanny's insistence the two reluctantly agreed.

The two were only saved from death when the captured undead tore free of its cage and attacked Valentine, Murphy's disfigured female assassin.

[8] In 2009, the film was picked up for distribution by IFC (US), Anchor Bay (Canada, UK and Australia) and Screen Media (foreign sales).

The site's consensus reads: "A horror comedy that's almost as chilling as it is funny, I Sell the Dead relies on its dark humor and offbeat charm to overcome its low budget shortcomings.

"[11] Online critic Maitland McDonagh stated, "A fresh, darkly funny blend of crime [graverobbing, to be precise] and supernatural hijinks ... that delivers an offbeat but carefully balanced mix of shocks, homages and uneasy chuckles.

[13] Manohla Dargis of The New York Times wrote that although the jokes and setup wear thin, the filmmakers' enthusiasm carries the film.

[15] Nicolas Rapold of The Village Voice called the premise "snack food for horror hobbyists" but said the film's editing focuses on the wrong scenes.