“Half Dead,” directed by Matthew A. Peters, is the story of a gangster named Angel Marcos, played by Mark Joseph Peek, who steals from his boss Vince, played by Nathan Faudree. Angel runs off with Vince’s sister, played by Rebecca C. Kasek, and pays the price with his life. He is then given over to the military for use in an experiment, which turns him into a zombie.

Bent on revenge, he returns from the grave to take down those who wronged him and win back the woman he loves, creating a lethal band of subordinate zombies in the process. It won’t be easy, though, as Det. John Reilly, played by Mu-Shaka Benson, is trying to protect the city from the zombie onslaught. On top of that, Vince has his own gang of hired mercenaries hunting Angel down, lead by a ruthless leader named Vox, played by Wayne W. Johnson.

“Half Dead” will premiere Friday at New Uptown Theater in Utica. Doors open at 7 p.m. for a musical performance by Above The Flood. The film starts at 8 p.m., preceded by a short film “The Monkey’s Paw,” a retelling of the classic short story by W.W. Jacobs. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door the night of the show.