Nightbreed: A Masterpiece Revisited on BluRay

There are some films that make audience members wonder, “why does it feel like something is missing?”

Films that were gutted through the machine that is the studio system, some times it works and in other cases you get Clive Barker’s “Nightbreed.”

“Night Breed” was originally released to a very tepid response from critics and audience members who were hoping for another instant horror classic from Barker, the master of horror, filmmaker, author, artist and the creator of one of the most iconic horror films of all time, “Hellraiser.”

The movie is different to say the least and that forced the studio to make major cuts to Barker’s original cut, turning into a formulaic and forgettable slasher flick. But Scream Factory being Shout Factory has put together a definitive “Nightbreed” cut with their Director’s Cut Blu Ray. Supervised by Barker this Director’s Cut Blu Ray will replace that missing feeling moviegoers felt years ago with a feeling of just witnessing a horror classic.

Aaron Boone (Craig Sheffer) is suffering from some pretty vivid dreams, dreams of a land called Midian. A place monsters call home. Boone shares these dreams with his shrink, Phillip K. Decker (David Cronenberg). Day by day it becomes more and more apparent that these dreams are not just the movies we watch in our sleep, but visions of a safe haven for the monsters of the world.

A fitting home for Boone, a man who is manipulated into believing that he is a serial killer by Decker, the real killer. Boone is then drugged by Decker, which does not make matters any better. After going on the run from the police, seeking refuge in Median, Boone is gone down thanks to Decker using the old “HE’S GOT A GUN” trick. In death, Boone is welcomed into Median and in death Decker won’t let up. Decker is hell bent on destroying the city of monsters and won’t stop until it is ash. It is up to Boone and his girlfriend Lori (Anne Bobby) to save the monsters of Median from the real monster, man.

First things first, “Nightreed” is beautifully directed. Barker handles every aspect of the production with so much care. The monsters like the monsters in “Hellraiser” are weirdly beautiful because of the enormous amount of detail put in each and every one of them, even the monsters that are just in a single frame are magnets to the eyes.

Barker’s unique vision is augmented by a magical score composed by Danny Elfman. Elfman’s score sells the darkness of the piece while adding a lighthearted touch that compliments Barker’s world of Median. The score fits within the canon of great Elfman scores that has made him one of the most recognizable composers in film.

Another highlight of the film is Cronenberg’s performance. In a role that could have easily been over-the-top and cartoonish, Cronenberg’s subtle performance as Decker is haunting and easily makes him the scariest character in a film filled with terrifying looking monsters.

All of these attributes are great, but we all know where Scream Factory makes their money: special features. This “Nightbreed” has everything fans that fought for this version to be released can ever want, a new commentary featuring Barker himself, making-of-featurette and the director’s cut features 40 minutes of new footage that is hands down the definitive version of the film. This new Director’s Cut will turn original detractors of the film into fans, making them say, “that’s what the film was missing.”

Scream Factory has a special place in cult movie aficionados’ hearts, and for good reason. They’re able to give fans the releases they yearn without simply releasing them, but packing them with goodies that warrant a re-purchase and “Nightbreed” is no different. Whether you have taken a trip to Median or not, this “Nightbreed” Blu Ray is a must buy for any horror fan as the film ditches shock and gore for story with emotional weight. Scream’s “Nightbreed” Blu Ray is apart of breed all its own.