Burke & Hare

In 19th century Edinburgh, two desperate men, William Burke and William Hare, find a lucrative, albeit morbid, business opportunity. When a tenant in Hare's lodging house dies naturally, he realizes he can sell the body to a local surgeon for a profit. Soon, their 'business' escalates from acquiring the recently deceased to 'assisting' people on their way to the afterlife to meet the demand for cadavers.

Burke & Hare received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised its dark humor and the chemistry between the lead actors, many found the film uneven, with jokes that didn't always land and a tone that struggled to balance horror and comedy effectively. Audience reception was similarly divided.

• The film suffers from a tonal imbalance, failing to consistently blend dark humor with its horror elements.
• While the central performances are a highlight, the script and overall execution are considered weak.
• The gore is present but often undercut by attempts at comedy, leaving both genres underserved.

Google audience: Google users expressed a split opinion, with some appreciating the comedic take on a dark subject and the performances of the cast. However, a significant portion of viewers found the humor forced and the film to be a disappointing effort from director John Landis.

Director John Landis, a known fan of the original Burke and Hare murders, had wanted to make a film about the subject for decades before finally bringing this version to the screen.