Obsessed with overcoming the obstacle of death, ambitious medical student Herbert West barely survives a horrific incident at the Institute of Medicine in Switzerland. However, Herbert is determined to vindicate himself of the accusations by backing up his theory. So, he continues to experiment. At first, dead feline tissue provided hope; then, human flesh broadened his horizons. As a result, his skeptical roommate joins him in this audacious project. As the two visionary scientists delve deeper into uncharted territory, West's unruly cadavers begin to walk around the campus, catching the eye of Dr Hill, an old rival eager to take credit for the groundbreaking discovery. Now the dead rise again, even with a bit of help. But if West's unstable reagent is the key to unlocking the ultimate frontier, what is the young re-animator willing to sacrifice to harness the power of the phosphorescent green substance?