Deathstalker II 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Deathstalker II 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 2, 2025

I wouldn’t call 1983’s “Deathstalker” serious, but it was mostly humorless. The sword and sorcery offering tried to deliver a stone-faced sense of fantasy heroism during an era that demanded such entertainment, putting director James Sbardellati to work conjuring monsters, muscle-bound men, and battles for its intended audience, also remaining mindful of Roger Corman’s low-budget demands and fondness for nudity. The endeavor was something of a hit (at least by Corman standards), finding a receptive audience on home video, where viewers drawn to the picture (thanks to gloriously deceptive poster artwork) were exposed to a cheaper barbarian way during the post-“Conan the Barbarian” industry gold rush. New World Pictures didn’t exactly jump into a sequel, waiting four years to deliver “Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans,” hiring director Jim Wynorski (in one of his earliest gigs) to continue the journey for the warrior and his addiction to adventure. There’s a lot that’s different this time around, including a complete change of tone, as the helmer elects to turn this mythical movie into a full-blooded comedy, even bringing a spit-take into the offering. “Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans” goes goofy, and it’s not a welcome change of pace, losing the modest appeal of the original feature to stick with silliness from actors who aren’t particularly skilled at delivering such nonsense.

Deathstalker (John Terlesky) is a thief hunting for treasures to sell, happily living a vagabond life. During his latest find, Deathstalker comes across Princess Evie (Monique Gabrielle), an oracle who claims to have been kicked out of her kingdom, with the evil sorcerer Jarek (John Lazar) experimenting with cloning magic, creating Duplicate Evie (Gabrielle) to maintain power. Princess Evie wants her throne back, requesting help from Deathstalker, who’s pulled into the plan by force when Jarek’s top enforcer, Sultana (Toni Naples), demands his head. On a quest to the land of Jafir to confront Jarek, Deathstalker and Princess Evie encounter several setbacks and tests of might, dealing with ogres, soldiers, and the enigmatic ways of an Amazonian tribe trying to defend their domain. During this journey, Jarek makes plans to expand his cloning scheme, only to find Duplicate Evie beginning to fade from existence unless she feeds on human blood.

While “Deathstalker” offered a main character who looked the part, “Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans” goes a different way with the eponymous warrior. He’s now a slightly smaller wiseacre with honor issues, mostly out for himself as he wanders the land, searching for treasures to sell. We meet him in thief mode, looking to extract a large jewel from a temple, only to run into trouble when he discovers Princess Evie, who’s being harassed by goons. She needs saving (much like the first picture, this also involves the interruption of a sexual assault), and the characters are bound together soon after, becoming a bickering couple as Deathstalker elects to help the seemingly powerless woman, who only offers her seer skills as compensation. It’s not exactly a monumental pairing of personalities, but Wynorski isn’t pushing too hard with the endeavor, merely needing a pair of opposites to help launch the plot.

“Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans” struggles even more with money than its predecessor, as the production looks noticeably cheaper than “Deathstalker,” exploring cardboard backgrounds and forest action, even recycling footage from the first picture. This wouldn’t be such an issue if Wynorski wasn’t repeating visual jokes from “Deathstalker” as well. Wynorski is certainly trying to offer a peppier endeavor, spending the first half on physical action, including a tavern fight, and there are chases to keep the main characters on the run, even on horseback, which feels awfully ambitious for a production as small as this. Padding is present, of course (the movie only runs 77 minutes), which can be maddening, especially when time is spent on an explosive-tipped arrow attack which feels like it carries on forever. Perhaps the director was paid by the explosion. “Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans” also attempts to do something with the cloning idea, but doesn’t get far enough with weird science, mostly using this part of the script to give Gabrielle an acting challenge, tasked with portraying a royal whiner and a fading vampire.

“Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans” gets wackier as it goes, which isn’t nearly as appealing as Wynorski believes it to be. It’s enough to have slapstick, a zombie attack, and cartoon sound effects, but the sequel pushes its luck with a mid-movie event involving Deathstalker entering a pro- wrestling ring to battle the largest member of the Amazonian tribe (Dee Booher, best known as “Queen Kong” on “Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling”). It’s such a broad moment, like something out of a T.V. sitcom, going too far with comedic exaggeration, even for this picture, which really has no interest in being a sequel.

Deathstalker II 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans" was originally issued on Blu-ray in 2016 by Shout Factory, and the company returns to the title with a new UHD release, listed as a "4K restoration from the interpositive," "presented in Dolby Vision." It's a slightly brighter world, production-wise, for the sequel, which offers a more colorful viewing experience than its predecessor. Hues are alert throughout, showing real life with Duplicate Evie, who offers period makeup and lively costuming. Greenery is strong as the adventure visits various "realms," and the cooler appearance of Jarek's castle is maintained. Skin tones are natural. Detail is somewhat capable with many stretches of softness, exploring ample skin particulars and textured outfits. Exteriors remain deep, and interiors offers a decent look at decorative additions. Blacks are secure, preserving evening activity and shadowy moods. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is decently resolved. Source is in good condition.

Deathstalker II 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix handles dialogue exchanges acceptably, though age is apparent, along with technical limitations. Some mild sibilance is periodically encountered. Scoring is a little dulled at times, but synth moods are appreciable, along with dramatic support. Sound effects maintain their cartoony presence. Brief moments of damage are found during the listening event.

Deathstalker II 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Jim Wynorski and actors John Terlesky and Toni Naples.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:44, HD) is included.

Deathstalker II 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Wynorski isn't known for his directorial refinement, and he doesn't particularly care about sustaining the "Deathstalker" way for "Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans." This extends to casting, finding Terlesky miscast as a dashing rogue, lacking comedic timing. Gabrielle also struggles to sell funny business, mostly stuck yelling "Stalker!" repeatedly as the character finds herself in trouble all the time. Perhaps there are a few positives in the film, as Lazar seems content remaining calm as the evil sorcerer, and the script delivers a passably interesting idea in the use of a magic puddle to help communicate with the villain, who can also use the water to punish those who disappoint him. It's not that "Deathstalker" is a classic, far from it, but "Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans" is such a wild swing in the opposite direction, and it's rarely appealing, showing more signs of desperation than moments of fantasy film authority.