Delirium Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Delirium Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 14, 2026

Lamberto Bava's "Delirium" (1987) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films. The supplemental features on the release include new audio commentary by critics Eugenio Ercolani and Nanni Cobretti; recent program with Lamberto Bava; recent program with George Eastman; recent program with cinematographer Gianlorenzo Battaglia; recent program with first assistant director Alberto Palmerini; and more. In English or Italian, with optional English SDH and English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Tell me you like it.

Let’s just be honest here. The main reason why ninety-nine percent of straight guys went to see films with the voluptuous Italian star Serena Grandi was the voluptuous Italian star Serena Grandi. Her best work was during the 1980s, and after Tinto Brass’ Miranda, it no longer mattered if she did sexy comedies, period adventure films, or psychological crime thrillers, like Lamberto Bava’s Delirium. There were always enough people around willing to see her films -- even the really, really mediocre ones.

Bava’s film fits somewhere between obvious flops like Stormtroopers II and stylish gems like Brass’ Miranda, and offers exactly the decent B-grade entertainment the sexiest version of Grandi was ideal and known for. In other words, Bava’s film is absolutely not the underappreciated sleeper ‘classic’ people might have missed years ago. It is a genuine Grandi film that appreciates the same things Brass and the likes of Dino Risi, Andrea Barzini, and Piero Schivazappa saw and liked when they cast the actress -- her incredible sex appeal. The murder mystery at the center of Bava’s film is a necessary ruse -- it gives it proper structure. If one remembers this when booking a date with it, one is unlikely to be disappointed. In fact, one may be pleasantly surprised how similar it is to some of Brian De Palma’s films.

Gloria (Grandi) is the successful owner of the trendy fashion magazine Pussycat. A former model, she has developed incredible business instincts that are helping her stay a few steps ahead of her competitors.

After an exhausting shoot, one of Gloria’s top models is brutally killed. The police launch an investigation, but while a couple of detectives are asking questions and trying to find a possible motive for the murder, a second model is killed. Then, possibly to deliver a crucial message, someone mails a stack of graphic photographs to Gloria’s office. But what is the message? Is it that the mysterious killer is on a mission to cripple Gloria’s business by eliminating her best models? Or is it that Gloria is the real target and it is only a matter of time before the killer goes after her? In the ensuing turmoil, and while considering an offer from one of her competitors who is interested in acquiring Pussycat, Gloria is pushed to the verge of a very serious, possibly deadly, nervous breakdown.

Grandi looks so good that at times her beauty, which it must be made clear is of the most seductive variety, becomes somewhat distracting. She constantly chooses the most stylish outfits and whenever possible takes them off for optimal effect. Of course, since Bava’s film came out a few years after Miranda, this is hardly surprising.

Some of the killings are very graphic so that Bava’s film can have a proper genre identity as well. The best unquestionably incorporate elements of De Palma’s classic voyeuristic style. However, Grandi remains the main attraction.

Bava’s film even has an appropriately atmospheric soundtrack, courtesy of Simon Boswell, who just a few years later scored Richard Stanley’s cult mind-bender Hardware.

Delirium Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Delirium arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.

In the United Kingdom, Delirium made its high-definition debut with this Blu-ray release, produced by 88 Films in 2017. It introduced a then-new 2K restoration of the film. This new Blu-ray release presents the recent 4K restoration of Delirium, which was introduced by Vinegar Syndrome a few years ago.

I viewed the 4K restoration on 4K Blu-ray and in 1080p on this Blu-ray. It gives the entire film a lusher, more attractive organic appearance, with small but convincing color adjustments. On my system, most visuals had an undeniably better dynamic range. Also, delineation and clarity can be more convincing. These improvements are not as consistent and easy to appreciate in all areas because the older presentation of the film is still very good. However, on a big screen, the small improvements become more pronounced. The density levels are not better. Only in native 4K it is easier to see that the grain structure of the 4K restoration is marginally improved. I did not encounter any traces of problematic digital corrections. The entire film looks very healthy as well. My score is 4.75/5.00.

Delirium Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH (for the English track) and English (for the Italian track) subtitles are provided.

88 Films' previous Blu-ray release of Delirium had only a lossless English track. This release has an Italian track that is quite good, too. However, both tracks are overdubbed, so they share similar uneven spots. It is simply how they were finalized. The music sounds wonderful on both tracks. I kept switching them throughout the film and did not notice any anomalies to report in our review.

Delirium Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this audio commentary was recorded by Italian critics Eugenio Ercolani and Nanni Cobretti. The more interesting observations address the genesis of Delirium (and Dario Argento's possible involvement with it), the good cast assembled for it, Serena Grandi's presence before the camera and roles she chose over the years, and the film's stylistic identity.

• Lamberto Bava - in this recent program, Lamberto Bava reveals that producer Luciano Martino contacted him with offer to direct Delirium. Apparently, at the time, Edwige Fenech, who was married to Martino, and Ingrid Thulin were considered for Serena Grandi's part. Bava's also comments on the production process and the tone and atmosphere of Delirium. In Italian, with English subtitles. (15 min).

• George Eastman - in this recent program, George Eastman discusses the start of his acting career, the significance of his professional relationship with director Nanni Loy, his casting in My Name Is Pecos, and invention of his American name. Eastman also comments on his interactions with Lamberto Bava, including during the shooting of Delirium. In Italian, with English subtitles. (16 min).

• David Brandon - in this recent program, actor David Brandon discusses his professional relationship with Lamberto Bava and several films the two made, including Delirium, as well his work with Serena Grandi. In Italian and English, with English subtitles where necessary. (15 min).

• Massimo Antonello Geleng - in this recent program, production designer Massimo Antonello Geleng reveals that his professional relationship with Lamberto Bava was initiated by Devil Fish and comments on his contribution to Delirium. Apparently, most of the film was shot in two luxurious villas in Rome. Geleng also comments on the massive cast of stars that was assembled, which included future Italian pop star Sabrina Salerno. In Italian, with English subtitles. (26 min).

• Roberto Palmerini - in this recent program, first assistant director Alberto Palmerini discusses his career in the Italian film industry and explains how his life changed after meeting Nic Roeg during the production of Don't Look Now. Palmerini also comments on Lamberto Bava's working methods and his involvement with Delirium. In Italian, with English subtitles. (18 min).

• Nicoletta Ercole - in this recent program, costume designer Nicoletta Ercole reveals how she agreed to work on Delirium and discusses her requirement to work only on Serena Grandi's wardrobe. According to Ercole, Grandi's character was partially modeled after the famous Italian publisher Adelina Tattilo. In Italian, with English subtitles. (19 min).

• Gianlorenzo Battaglia - in this recent program, cinematographer Gianlorenzo Battaglia reveals how he was offered to shoot Delirium and comments on its stylistic appearance. Battaglia also discusses his interactions with Lamberto Bava during the production process. In Italian, with English subtitles. (15 min).

• Opening and Closing Titles - presented here are restored English opening and closing titles. (4 min).

• Booklet - an illustrated booklet with writings on the film and technical credits.

• Cover - reversible cover with vintage Italian poster art for Delirium.

Delirium Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While it is a pretty decent genre film, Delirium is worth seeing because of its gorgeous star, Serena Grandi. This is the naked truth. After she appeared in Tinto Brass' Miranda, Grandi became a superstar in Italy and the highest-paid female actress. Interestingly, in Delirium, Grandi is in the company of several big female stars and the soon-to-be Euro-disco sensation Sabrina Salerno. 88 Films' combo pack brings to the United Kingdom the recent, very good 4K restoration of Delirium on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray with a massive selection of bonus features. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.