Serial Killer Fuels Funeral Home Fortune

Ron Murphy's debut feature, "Back in Black," offers a darkly comedic crime drama centered on a struggling funeral home. Christopher Walken plays Clyde Mortimer, a patriarch whose business is on the brink of financial ruin.

His fortunes take a suspicious turn as his quiet granddaughter, Sam (Ella Ballentine), appears to be linked to a surge in local murders, providing a steady stream of business. This rise in fatalities leaves local law enforcement baffled.

Murphy's film challenges audiences to consider the morality of rooting for Sam, an antihero whose actions are presented as reprehensible yet motivated by a desire to protect her grandfather's livelihood and ensure his dignified retirement.

The director aims to explore themes of economic hardship and moral compromise, drawing parallels to "Fargo" and "Six Feet Under." Walken initially questioned taking on another morally ambiguous role, but Murphy convinced him of the character's devotion to family.

Sam, an embalmer, performs her deadly acts without any spoken lines, communicating solely through actions and a silent language of loyalty with her grandfather. Murphy, inspired by silent film, wanted to tell a story with minimal dialogue.

Murphy, who has a background in television directing, hopes "Back in Black" will reflect the current cultural darkness in a comic manner, offering his perspective on wider economic and political issues.