It follows a young woman who, while investigating the death of her father, exposes disturbing secrets surrounding a local mortuary.

Mortuary was a box-office success, ranking among the top twenty highest-grossing films at the time of its release,[4] and went on to earn over $4 million internationally.

Wealthy psychiatrist Dr. George Parson is bludgeoned and drowned in his pool, an incident his daughter Christie believes was murder, but which her mother Eve insists was an accident.

After an argument with her mother, Christie, who has begun sleepwalking after the trauma of her father's death, wakes to find herself in the pool, and is accosted by a hooded figure.

That night, Greg and Christie spend time alone in her home, but are subjected to various electronic interruptions, such as lights turning on and off, and the stereo playing by itself.

That night, Christie is attacked by a cloaked figure resembling Paul, and smashes a glass window, startling her mother.

Paul explains that he had to "punish" Eve for telling Christie about his psychiatric condition, and that he had murdered Dr. Parson for previously suggesting he should have treatment in a mental hospital, which his father had refused to agree to.

As he attempts to cut Christie's throat with a scalpel, Paul is attacked by Greg, who has broken free and armed himself with an axe.

"[9] Linda Gross of the Los Angeles Times also gave it a favorable review, describing it as a "sick, scary slasher movie," though conceded that the screenplay "goes overboard on the gore.

[14] On May 15, 2012, the film was finally transferred to DVD with a 16×9 (1.78:1) HD master from the original inter-negative by Scorpion Releasing, in conjunction with Camelot Entertainment.

[15] The special features included play with or without the "Nightmare Theater" experience, on camera interview with composer John Cacavas, and the original trailer.