Cathy's Curse 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		2.5

Cathy's Curse 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman May 10, 2024

Severin Films released a 1080 version of Cathy's Curse several years ago in a presentation that was advertised at the time as "transferred in 2K from recently found film elements". As I mentioned in my Cathy's Curse Blu-ray review, those "recently found film elements" were never clearly identified, but they were presumably different from the "recently discovered negatives" that provided the source for 4K scans presented on both 1080 and 4K UHD discs in this new and probably inarguably improved looking set.

For my thoughts on the film, please see my original review of Severin's first 1080 version, linked above. That review also provides a chance for screenshot comparisons, for those so inclined.

Cathy's Curse 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc in this package. Both the 1080 and 4K UHD presentations are new.

Cathy's Curse is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Severin Films with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. This package also includes an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1:85 on a standard Blu-ray disc. Both the 1080 and 4K UHD presentations are markedly different from Severin's older transfer, and generally much improved looking overall. In both resolutions the palette in much more vividly suffused throughout, and the 4K UHD disc's HDR adds some significant luster to some of the almost lurid tones on display (look at the yellow couch cushion in screenshot 2 for one example). Detail levels are at least marginally improved from the old 1080 presentation, and fine detail enjoys another noticeable uptick in the 4K version. Some minor color temperature and density fluctuations can still be spotted, but generally speaking both the new 1080 and 4K UHD versions offer upticks in both palette reproduction and detail levels. Occasionally flesh tones can be a bit on the red-purple side. There is still some fairly wide variance in grain structure(s), especially in the longer version which interpolates other material, and there is still some the same yellow splotchiness on display that I mentioned in my review of the first 1080 release. For that reason, some may actually prefer Severin's new 1080 presentation to the 4K UHD presentation, as the at times overwhelmingly mottled grain field is arguably at least a bit more subliminally rendered in the lower resolution.

Cathy's Curse 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Unfortunately, no major upgrade in the audio department is offered with this release, and both discs in this set sport a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track that to my ears was identical to the previously released track. The mix delivers dialogue, effects and score clearly enough, but without a lot of bombast in the mid to lower registers. For a supposed horror enterprise, this can be an awfully talky outing, and as such, the limited ambitions of the sound design are served well enough by this problem free but rather narrow sounding track. Optional English subtitles are available.

Cathy's Curse 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Both the 4K UHD and 1080 discs offer the Director's Cut (1:30:59) and Alternate U.S. Release Cut (1:21:49)

4K Disc

• Audio Commentary by Fangoria Contributor Brian Collins and Filmmaker Simon Barrett (U.S. Cut Only)


• Theatrical Trailers (HD; 1:53 and 2:35)

1080 Disc

• Tricks and Treats: An Interview with Director Eddy Matalon (HD; 20:16) is largely in French with English subtitles, and reveals that Matalon evidently thinks more information is presented on screen than some viewers will have gleaned.


• Cathy's Daddy: Alan Scarfe Remembers Cathy's Curse (HD; 11:57) is a fun reminiscence by Scarfe. This bears a 2024 copyright date and was not included on the original 1080 disc.


• Cathy and Mum: An Interview with Randi Allen and Costume Designer Joyce Allen (HD; 12:33) is an engaging interview with the actress, whose only feature film credit this is, and her mother, who did the costumes.


• Audio Commentary on U.S. Cut is by Fangoria Contributor Brian Collins and Filmmaker Simon Barrett.


• Introduction to Cinematic Void Screening (HD; 2:07) also features Brian Collins.


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:53 and 2:35)

Additionally a really fun and funny piece by Simon Barrett graces a nicely appointed insert booklet, which also contains a shorter piece by Brian Collins.

Cathy's Curse 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Severin has to be commended by fans of certain cult enterprises for "going back to the well" (and/or fiery car crash) to upgrade releases that are obviously not going to appeal to the public at large, at least in the "mainstream" sense. When even this film's "superfans" spend quite a bit of time discussing the various failings of the object of their affection, you know you're not about to be discovering some long lost masterpiece. Cathy's Curse actually has an interesting (if derivative) premise, and a couple of the sequences have at least a fair amount of suspense, if never really any over the top gore. But the film is hobbled by a weirdly fragmented screenplay and some unintended comedy from Cathy's shenanigans. Severin has addressed the major concern I had with their prior 1080 release, namely video quality, and offers a new interview supplement and additional trailer to sweeten what was already a rather enjoyable slate of bonus features. This is certainly the version to get for anyone who may be considering a purchase.