In Death Laid an Egg, Marco and Anna run a chicken farm on the outskirts of a city. While Marco handles the business operations, Anna is responsible for the scientific experimentation and genetic engineering that goes into producing their award-winning chickens. Gabrielle, their secretary, is romantically involved with Marco. She is also complicit in the plot to kill Anna and take over the business.
As the story unfolds, we see glimpses of the dark reality of their moneyed existence. Marco, who appears to be a respectable executive by day, frequents the red-light district at night. It is implied that he is responsible for the knife murder of a prostitute that is shown early in the film. The advertising head of the chicken farm appears to be stealing from the business. There are also hints of a larger conspiracy involving the genetic modification of the chickens and how this affects their quality of life.
The tension between the characters builds as they attend debauched dinner parties and engage in increasingly outrageous behavior. The climax of the film occurs in the fully automated chicken factory, which produces pulsating, headless, and wingless chickens. This sequence is reminiscent of David Lynch's Eraserhead and highlights the dehumanizing effects of technology.
Death Laid an Egg is a complex and surreal film that reflects the anxieties of its time. It explores themes of greed, deception, and the impact of technology on the natural world. It is a must-see for fans of Italian horror and avant-garde cinema.