Dust Devil 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Dust Devil 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Neil Lumbard January 19, 2026

Dust Devil is an incredible folk horror. The filmmaking is exquisite across the board. There is something remarkably special about the film and its genre roots. Starring Robert John Burke and Chelsea Field.

Set against the deserts of Namibia, a strange and mysterious hitchhiker roams across the outdoor highways. The lone hitchhiker is drawn towards those individuals who are lost and roaming with mysterious and broken life stories. When a woman fleeing her own troubled past comes across the hitchhiker, the crossed paths lead to a dangerous journey blending myth with reality against the desert outback. Can the woman survive the wrath of the hitchhiker?

The performances are excellent and add a lot to the film. The lead actor impress with stoicism and subtle range not always apparent in genre film. The lead role by Robert John Burke is especially impressive as Dust Devil. Chelsea Field is also undeniably compelling as Wendy Robinson.

The score composed by Simon Boswell (Hardware, Hackers) is one of the highlights of the film. The music is remarkably evocative. There is a compelling sense of mysticism to the music and it adds a intriguing layer that otherwise would be missing.

The cinematography by Steven Chivers (Hardware, Highlander: The Final Dimension) is fantastic and beautifully realized. The lush and deep colors of the cinematography shine through. This is such an impeccably photographed film and it makes many frames look like artwork to be displayed in a museum. The efforts of the cinematographer are first-rate throughout.

Edited by Paul Carlin, Jamie Macdermott, and Derek Trigg, Dust Devil is well paced and full of excitement. The theatrical cut runs a bit shorter but the extended director’s cut is the one to watch. The extended director’s cut offer more breathing room for the production and the impeccable design elements.

The production designs by Joseph Bennett (Deep Blue Sea, Event Horizon) are outstanding. There is so much to appreciate about the design elements. Bennett is a natural talent and someone with a keen visual sensibility. The end result is a film showcasing an ambitious production scope on every level.

The costume designs by Michele Clapton (Game of Thrones, The Crown) and Ruy Filipe (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Eye in the Sky) are wonderful. The costuming adds a lot of wonder to the production, too. The designs for the lead characters seem appropriately thought out for each of the leading cast of characters.

Written and directed by Richard Stanley (Hardware, Color Out of Space), Dust Devil is a masterpiece of genre filmmaking. The tension and craft of Stanley is well felt throughout the entire film. The entire production feel like a beautiful art canvas. There are so many compelling frames throughout the production. The cinematography combined with the filmmaking of Stanley results in a lot of truly beautiful images. Dust Devil is a must-see for genre film fan who appreciate the folk horror genre.

Dust Devil 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on 4K UHD by Umbrella Entertainment, Dust Devil is presented in HEVC / H.265 in 2160p 4K UHD. The 4K presentation is absolutely stunning and a complete revelation. The transfer is impeccable with outstanding color reproduction, depth, and detail. The imagery looks fantastic and the transfer is a robust one with sharp clarity and fidelity. The transfer retains a naturally filmic appearance and is truly stunning from first to last frame. The release also features spectacular HDR. The HDR10 (standard) grade looks perfect and is immersive beyond words. The release also includes a Dolby Vision HDR grade for those equipped for Dolby Vision playback.

Dust Devil 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Mater Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The lossless surround sound presentation is remarkable. The depth and overall clarity of the track is pristine and engaging. The surrounds are actively engaged and the score well implemented into the sound design. An exciting and memorable surround sound presentation that deserves the highest of accolades.

One of the great things about physical media and the 4K/Blu-ray format is the lossless audio encoding. Streaming video services limited audio to lossy (not lossless). For home theater enthusiasts and for audiophiles wanting the best possible audio experience, the physical format offers a distinct and undeniable advantage. The clear option for home theater enthusiasts is the physical media option. Lossless audio can make a big difference in the level of immersion for a viewing experience.

Dust Devil 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The limited edition comes packaged with a 100+ page book featuring behind-the- scenes and artwork, 100+ page book with the screenplay and storyboards alongside a shooting diary, 8 art cards, and a reversible poster. The set come with a deluxe chipboard art-box with stunning artwork and the slipcovered copy is included inside of the box-set.

On disc:

The 4K:

Director's Cut (4K, 1:48:27)

Theatrical Cut (4K, 1:27:27)

2025 Director's Cut Audio Commentary with writer/director Richard Stanley

2025 Director's Cut Audio Commentary with writer/director Richard Stanley as moderated by Norman Hill

Director's Cut Audio Commentary with Critics Bryn Tilly and Richard Kuipers

Director's Cut Original Storyboard Overlay (HD, 1:48:27)

Blu-ray 1:

Director's Cut (HD, 1:48:27)

2025 Director's Cut Audio Commentary with writer/director Richard Stanley

2025 Director's Cut Audio Commentary with writer/director Richard Stanley as moderated by Norman Hill

Director's Cut Audio Commentary with Critics Bryn Tilly and Richard Kuipers

Director's Cut Original Storyboard Overlay (HD, 1:48:27)

Deleted Scenes and Workprint Introduction by writer/director Richard Stanley (SD, 00:57)

Dust Devil Workprint (SD, 1:54:18)

Deleted Scenes (SD, 3:59)

Dust Devil Home Movies: Making Of Featurette (SD, 17:39)

Highway to Nowhere: 2021 Interview with Cinematographer Steven Chivers (HD, 16:37)

2006 Interview with writer/director Richard Stanley with contributions from composer Simon Boswell (SD, 35:27)

Dust Devil 1984 16mm Short Film Trailer (SD, 2:01)

Dust Devil 1984 16mm Short Film Behind-the-Scenes Gallery (SD, 3:21)

Trailer (HD, 1:36)

Blu-ray 2:

Theatrical Cut (HD, 1:27:27)

Chaos Walking: Guy Davis on Dust Devil and the Dangerous Drifter in Popular Culture (HD, 10:27)

The Secret Glory Documentary Trailer (SD, 1:33)

The Secret Glory Documentary (SD, 1:37:06)

The Secret Glory Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Richard Stanley

The Secret Glory: Interview with Writer/Director Richard Stanley (SD, 26:38)

The White Darkness Documentary Trailer (SD, 1:20)

The White Darkness: Introduction by Writer/Director Richard Stanley (SD, 1:44)

The White Darkness Documentary (SD, 50:25)

The White Darkness Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Richard Stanley

The White Darkness: Interview with Writer/Director Richard Stanley (SD, 17:08)

Blu-ray 3:

Color Out of Space (HD, 1:50:07)

The Making of Color Out of Space (HD, 21:04)

Deleted Scenes (HD, 12:58)

Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:17)

Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau (HD, 1:39:07)

Dust Devil 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Dust Devil is an incredible genre film and a must see for fans of folk horror. The production is outstanding. The directing is incredible and the cinematography shines. A poetic genre film.

The 4K UHD release features an incredible array of special features. The limited-edition release also includes a plethora of physical goodies: a 100+ page book featuring behind-the-scenes and artwork, 100+ page book with the screenplay and storyboards, 8 art cards, and a reversible poster. The set is a gorgeous design and looks beautiful in hand and on the shelf. A must-own for fans of the film.