Eva Man / The Return of Eva Man Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Eva Man / The Return of Eva Man Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 11, 2025

Antonio D'Agostino's "Eva Man" (1980) and "The Return of Eva Man" (1982) arrive on Blu-ray courtesy of Mondo Macabro. The supplemental features on the release include new program with star Eva Robins; new program with cinematographer Hans Burmann; new video essay by critic Ian Higbee; new audio commentary by critics Caden Mark Gardner and Willow Catelyn Maclay; and more. In Spanish, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

LoveGun

The titles of both films surely make it awfully difficult for any viewer to demand a refund because they turned out shockingly transgressive. Eva Man and The Return of Eva Man. The math could not be easier. So, if one books a date with these films, it is because one knows exactly how they will entertain.

Both films are directed by Antonio D’Agostino, a second-rate Italian filmmaker-turned-pornographer, whose busiest period was during the 1990s, when the adult film industry dramatically expanded and attracted many of his fellow compatriots. (Two of the most prominent local filmmakers to transition to the adult film industry were Joe D’Amato and Mario Bianchi). They are Italian-Spanish coproductions, shot on location in Spain, and later redubbed in Italian, Spanish, and English. (This release presents both films with Spanish audio tracks and optional English subtitles).

In Eva Man, an aging scientist (Attilio Dottesio) creates SexMaker, a tiny device that can transform any man or woman into a relentless sex machine. The scientist documents the efficacy of SexMaker in a series of tests with Eva (Eva Robins), a free-spirited hermaphrodite, and Ajita (Ajita Wilson), a man who has traded his penis for a vagina. However, shortly after the transformative power of SexMaker is documented, an impotent gangster dispatches several mercenaries to steal it.

In The Return of Eva Man, the same scientist builds LoveGun, an even more advanced pistol-like device that can instantly turn any stranger into a voracious sex animal. LoveGun simply needs to be pointed at its target and activated for the transformation to occur. However, a general with delusions of grandeur learns about LoveGun and hires a gang of thieves to get it so that he can begin reshaping the world to his liking. After the scientist becomes aware of the general’s plan, Eva and Ajita are tasked to protect LoveGun.

The bulk of the material in both films could easily have been conceived by Jess Franco, at the exact same time D’Agostino shot them as well. However, while Franco’s films undoubtedly would have looked as cheap as D’Agostino’s films, they would have produced a drastically different atmosphere and, ultimately, acquired entirely different identities. As shot by D’Agostino, these films are only moderately effective as silly exotic comedies, and their borderline explicit sexual material is completely out of sync with their intended tone and energy, which is the main reason both struggle to produce a proper atmosphere.

Both films are equally ineffective as time capsules, too. In The Return of Eva Man, Eva and Ajita go on the road, make multiple stops, and have several unplanned encounters with horny strangers. Sadly, D’Agostino almost completely ignores the evolving terrain. Franco’s films, even the cheapest ones, are always curious about the environment of their characters, which is why many of them, including the craziest ones, are frequently lovely time capsules.

Apparently, both films were lensed by Hanz Bermann, who worked with Ramon Fernandez on the cult Spanish thriller Chely and, several decades later, Alejando Amenabar on the popular mind bender Open Your Eyes.

Eva Man / The Return of Eva Man Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in their original aspect ratios of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted 1080p transfers, Eva Man and The Return of Eva Man arrive on Blu-ray courtesy of Mondo Macabro.

It is instantly obvious that both films have been remastered. However, both reveal small inconsistencies in multiple areas, making it easy to conclude that the original materials for these films are not in ideal condition. I suspect that there are two reasons for this. One is that small bits of content, like Eva's singing performance, were shot at a different time and inserted later. The other is that the original footage incorporates bits that were rushed, did not look great to begin with, and after aging, their shortcomings are exacerbated. Regardless, on my system, both films produced pretty good organic visuals. In some areas, delineation, clarity, and depth could have been better, but I did not see any troubling anomalies. The same can be said about color reproduction and balance. I did not encounter any traces of problematic digital corrections. A few tiny blemishes can be spotted, but there are no large and distracting cuts, debris, marks, warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Eva Man / The Return of Eva Man Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Both films are presented with Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks. Optional English subtitles are provided for each film.

The Spanish tracks are dubbed tracks, so they are fairly unimpressive. However, they are both healthy tracks, without any big or small age-related imperfections, which is what matters the most. Dynamic contrasts are below average. The English translation is very good. Unfortunately, I found the English subtitles extremely difficult to use because they are very, very small. They might be suitable for a computer screen, but for a proper TV screen -- and mine is very large -- their size is not appropriate.

Eva Man / The Return of Eva Man Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Eva Robins - in this new program, Eva Robins discusses the difficult production of Eva Man, the famous villa in Spain where parts of it were shot, and the shooting of the erotic content. Also, there are a few interesting comments about Ajita Wilson. In Italian, with English subtitles. (22 min).

• Ian Higbee - an exclusive new video essay on Antonio D'Agostino's life and cinematic legacy created by critic Ian Higbee. In English, not subtitled. (21 min).

• Solving The Ajita Wilson Mystery - in this new program, Spanish critic Alex Mendibil addresses some of the half-truths and truths about the life and career of Ajita Wilson. In Spanish, with English subtitles. (48 min).

• Hans Burmann - in this new program, cinematographer Hans Burmann discusses the early stages of his career and involvement with Eva Man and The Return of Eva Man. In Spanish, with English subtitles. (23 min).

• Echoes of Eva - in this new program, sound recordist Luciano Muratori recalls how he was hired to work on Eva Man and The Return of Eva Man, but reveals that he does not remember who the director was. Muratori also recalls an interesting exchange he had with Eva Robins. In Spanish, with English subtitles. (12 min).

• Commentary - this new audio commentary for Eva Man was recorded by critics Caden Mark Gardner and Willow Catelyn Maclay.

• Metamorfosi (2006) - a short film directed by Antonio D'Agostino. Silent. (14 min).

• Alternate Ending - in Spanish. (1 min).

Eva Man / The Return of Eva Man Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In the hands of Jess Franco, the exact same material that was used to make Eva Man and The Return of Eva Man undoubtedly would have produced far more intriguing films. Their tiny budget is not why they look very small and lack a good atmosphere. Antonio D'Agostino's direction is simply quite underwhelming. I enjoyed The Return of Eva Man a bit more because there is greater movement there, occasionally coupled with superior energy, but the comedy and action are still not mixed right. Mondo Macabro's Blu-ray release brings good presentations of both films with an interesting selection of bonus features, most of which are newly produced. RECOMMENDED only to the fans.