Skip to main content

MADHOUSE Blu-ray review

Madhouse image

1981
Directed By: Ovidio Assontis
Starring: Trish Everly, Michael MacRae, Allison Biggers, and Dennis Robertson
Written By: Ovidio Assontis and Stephen Blakely

MANY PEOPLE VISIT... NO ONE EVER LEAVES

MADHOUSE Blu-ray review



Julia (Trish Everly) has spent the better part of her life living in denial. Trying to forget about the cruel and inhumane treatment she received as a child at the hands of her twin sister Mary (Allison Biggers). Time has not softened Mary, before escaping a hospital where she has been treated for a disease that has left her disfigured, she vows to get revenge on her sister. MADHOUSE is setup as a ticking time clock where we count down the days until Julia's birthday, the day Mary has promised to exact revenge.

MadhouseAssontis is best known for his work on THE CURSE and PIRANHA 2: THE SPAWNING but I've always felt his operatic sensibilities were best suited to films like MADHOUSE. A production shot entirely on location in Savannah Georgia, his film takes the blood lust of the late 70's early 80's slasher craze and infuses it with the surrealism of classic Italian horror.

MADHOUSE is very much of its time but has aged beautifully. The anamorphic widescreen and synth soundtrack give the film a CARPENTER meets ARGENTO vibe while feeling utterly unique.

Dogs. I have never seen this much violence from and towards dogs in a single film. If you are the type of person who can't handle violence towards animals on film, avoid this one. There are fight sequences between man and mutt that go on for minutes. Imagine the fight scene in THEY LIVE (you know the one) but with a pooch and a person and you'll get the idea. Notice how when I used the word "sequences" before, it's plural? Yes, there are multiple fight to the death encounters between man and his best friend in this film... and one of them involves a drill. This movie is not for the faint of heart.

The violence in MADHOUSE is front and center.  Assontis dwells on his prosthetic pornography, almost daring the viewer to keep watching. After the opening two minutes of the film, you will have a good idea of whether or not this film will work for you. This is a nasty, brutal little movie that has earned its place among the classic horror films of its era. I can't imagine a non-genre fan finding much value in this film, other than Michael MacRae's mustache, that thing is a work of art and any viewer can appreciate beauty.

Madhouse Michael MacRae


Arrow has absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one. The transfer is stunning and the uncompressed audio is room shaking. If you are a fan of MADHOUSE, I can't recommend this one highly enough.

Bonus Materials
Brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition presentations
Original Stereo Audio (Uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand new audio commentary with The Hysteria Continues
Brand new interviews with cast and crew
Alternate opening titles
Theatrical Trailer, newly transferred in HD
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Marc Schoenbach
FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Booklet featuring new writing on the film

You can order MADHOUSE from MVD here.





Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Explaining the Ending of MULHOLLAND DRIVE

MULHOLLAND DRIVE is a complex and surreal film directed by David Lynch, known for its non-linear narrative and dreamlike sequences. The ending is open to interpretation and has been the subject of much debate among viewers. Here's a breakdown of the ending: Diane's Dream vs. Reality: Throughout the film, there are two main narrative threads: one follows Betty/Diane's dreamlike experiences in Hollywood, and the other delves into Diane's harsh reality. The ending reveals that the majority of the film has been a dream constructed by Diane Selwyn, a failed actress, as a means to escape the guilt and pain of her actions. Betty/Diane's Descent into Madness: Betty, played by Naomi Watts, represents Diane's idealized self—a hopeful and innocent aspiring actress. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Betty's story is unraveling, and her identity begins to merge with Diane's. This culminates in the revelation that Betty is merely a construct of Di...

Final Destination Bloodlines Set to Bring Fresh Horrors to the Franchise

The long-running and fan-favorite horror series Final Destination is set to make its return with Final Destination Bloodlines, bringing a new chapter of supernatural terror to the big screen. Scheduled for a theatrical and IMAX release on May 16, 2025, in the U.S. (and internationally beginning May 14), the film promises to continue the franchise’s tradition of chilling premonitions and inescapable fate. The upcoming installment features a fresh ensemble cast, including Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game, The Flash), Teo Briones (Chucky, Will vs. The Future), Richard Harmon (The 100, The Age of Adaline), Owen Patrick Joyner (Julie and the Phantoms, 100 Things to Do Before High School), and Anna Lore (They/Them, Gotham Knights). Also joining the cast are Brec Bassinger (Stargirl, Bella and the Bulldogs) and horror icon Tony Todd, who reprises his role from the original Final Destination films. Todd, best known for his chilling portrayal of the titular character in the Candyman fra...

LOCKED Release Info

LOCKED follows Eddie (Bill SkarsgÄrd), a desperate man who breaks into a seemingly empty luxury SUV, only to find himself ensnared in a meticulously crafted trap. His captor? William (Anthony Hopkins), a vigilante with a twisted sense of justice. What starts as a simple break-in quickly spirals into a nightmare, as Eddie struggles to escape a vehicle designed to be his prison. With no way out and an unseen force pulling the strings, survival becomes a race against time in a ride where justice is anything but blind. This 95-minute thrill ride promises to keep audiences on edge by blending elements of survival horror and psychological warfare. Its confined setting turns an everyday luxury vehicle into an inescapable nightmare, and the ride explores themes of morality, punishment, and the true cost of justice. Only in Theaters on March 21. I love a limited-setting horror thriller. With limited settings, the film must rely more on character interactions and internal conflicts to create ten...