Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

From Beyond 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 18, 2023

When 1985’s “Re-Animator” became a cult hit, finding profit when many expected it to be ignored, a reunion was organized. Another H.P. Lovecraft adaptation was found in “From Beyond,” with screenwriter Dennis Paoli tasked with transforming a short story into a feature-length rampage involving weird science and deadly mutations. “From Beyond” is a little uneven when it comes to finding a story to tell and characters to invest in, but director Stuart Gordon puts on a marvelous display of ugliness with the film, supported by a team of special effects and makeup artists who go crazy with the grisly particulars of the movie, providing a rich sense of the macabre, working to live up to Lovecraft-ian standards with this take on glandular savagery and sexual hypnosis.

“From Beyond” tries to replicate the “Re-Animator” experience, with Gordon and Paoli reteaming with stars Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton (joined by Ted Sorel and Ken Foree), aiming to revisit the depths of depravity with the endeavor. They come close, with Gordon nailing an extended atmosphere of oddity with the material, which is primarily about tampering with unknown forces from another dimension, but also touches on sexual kinks and connections, with the pineal glad playing a critical role in the zombification of the characters. It’s a wild ride at times, delivering plenty of gory encounters and unusual threats, with the material leaning into pure strangeness to make an impression. Such extremity is capably supported by the cast, who give themselves in full to the movie, selling the body-quaking horror of deadly encounters with creatures and mutations that defy explanation.

For additional information and analysis, please read Martin Liebman’s 2013 Blu-ray review.

From Beyond 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Shout Factory previously released "From Beyond" on Blu-ray in 2013, and Vinegar Syndrome returns to the title ten years later, this time armed with a UHD presentation, sourced from the 35mm original camera negative. This is an insanely colorful feature, and the 4K viewing experience respects such intense lighting, capturing the flood of purples and pinks found during weird science sequences. Makeup work is also distinct, including vivid blood reds. Costuming secures bright primaries, along with hospital interiors. Skin tones are natural. Detail is excellent, capturing clear skin particulars throughout the endeavor, on both human and beastly creations. Goopy textures are appreciable, joined by the roughness of mutated appearances. Room dimension is defined and costuming is fibrous. Highlights are tasteful, and blacks are deep. Source is in good condition, with Director's Cut moments using a 35mm workprint to fill a few gaps. Restoration work was completed to match the footage, and while dips in quality are noticeable, it's not a distraction.

From Beyond 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix secures crisp dialogue exchanges, offering a balanced sense of panic and horror throughout. Scoring cues are sharp, with distinct instrumentation, supporting moods with authority. Surrounds are active, pushing out music, while Dr. Pretorius visitations carry a heavy circular presence with spooky echo. Atmospherics are appreciable, joined by clean sound effects. Low-end handles with some weight during more violent encounters.

From Beyond 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

UHD

• Commentary #1 features director Stuart Gordon, producer Brian Yuzna, and actors Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton.

• Commentary #2 features screenwriter Dennis Paoli.

Blu-ray #1

• Commentary #1 features director Stuart Gordon, producer Brian Yuzna, and actors Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton.

• Commentary #2 features screenwriter Dennis Paoli.

• "Re-Resonator" (94:43, HD) is an extensive making-of for "From Beyond," featuring interviews with producer Brian Yuzna, composer Richard Band, photographic effects supervisor Anthony Doublin, editor Lee Percy, prosthetic artist Mark Shostrum, special effects artists Robert Kurtzman and John Naulin, fabrication crew member Gabe Bartalos, makeup artist William Butler, screenwriter Dennis Paoli, foley artist Vanessa Ament, and actors Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton, and Ken Foree. Many stories are shared about "From Beyond" on this set, but this collection of anecdotes and memories is the best of the bunch, carefully exploring the production process and the personalities involved in the making of the feature.

Blu-ray #2

• "An Empire Production" (6:47, HD) is an interview with executive producer Charles Band, who discusses efforts to follow- up "Re-Animator," hoping to make a similar film. Production occurred in Rome, with Band overseeing multiple productions to help boost the Empire Productions brand. The interviewee also shares his secret to making low-budget features.

• "A Tortured Soul" (17:47, HD) is an interview with actor Jeffrey Combs, who highlights the thespian challenge of "From Beyond," asked to play a weak, nervous character. Time in Rome is recalled, dealing with a noisy crew in a beautiful part of the world. Co-stars are celebrated, and gory, monstrous moments are remembered, with Combs detailing the technical challenges involved to pull these visual off.

• "Paging Dr. McMichaels" (19:51, HD) is an interview with actress Barbara Crampton, who emerged from her time on "Re- Animator" with interest in reuniting with the creative team, leading to the creation of "From Beyond." Crampton explores characterization and production effort, enjoying her time in Rome. Co-stars are celebrated and technical challenges are highlighted, with the interviewee trapped in a big goopy mess at times.

• "The Doctor is In" (14:29, HD) is another interview with actress Barbara Crampton.

• "Multiple Dimensions" (23:38, HD) is a study of the visual effects in "From Beyond," featuring interviews with special effects artists John Carl Buechler and John Naulin, prosthetic artist Mark Shostrum, and photographic effects supervisor Anthony Doublin. The technical demands of "From Beyond" are recalled, with the team working to best "Re-Animator" and create a special look for the picture. Such focus resulted in an impressive visual presence for the film, and for Naulin, multiple trips to the hospital to deal with a severe injury.

• "Monsters & Slime" (20:47, HD) returns to the special effects of "From Beyond," featuring interviews with special effects artist John Naulin, fabrication crew member Gabe Bartalos, photographic effects supervisor Anthony Doublin.

• "Gothic Adaptation" (16:05, HD) is an interview with writer Dennis Paoli, who details his early love of science fiction books, finding his way to H.P. Lovecraft. High school buddies with director Stuart Gordon, the pair continued their friendship into theater, comedy performances, and eventually filmmaking. Adaptations of "Re-Animator" and "From Beyond" are analyzed.

• "Reflections with Stuart Gordon" (8:53, HD) is an interview with the director, who discusses the challenges of transforming a seven-page-long short story into a 90-minute feature. Casting is tracked, with Gordon trying to work with personal favorites. And the subject matter is analyzed, getting into the sexuality of the "lurid" material, extending to lighting and tonal choices. The picture's battle with the MPAA is also explored.

• "On 'From Beyond'" (20:37, HD) is a post-screening interview with director Stuart Gordon, joined by his wife, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon.

• Storyboard Comparison (9:01, SD) takes a look at several sequences from the feature via split-screen, showcasing pre- production art and the final cut. An introduction from director Stuart Gordon is included.

• Interview (4:34, SD) is a chat with composer Richard Band.

• Image Gallery (1:13) collects film stills.

• And a Trailer (:58, SD) is included.

From Beyond 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

One can feel the gears turning at times in "From Beyond," especially when Gordon and Paoli run out of story, turning the feature into a macabre take on a brain-sucking hunt. The movie doesn't fall apart, always sustained by its interest in ghoulish events with distorted people, as Gordon hopes to match the brutality of "Re-Animator" with a more severe understanding of corporeal corruption, clearly having a blast arranging such viciousness and oddity for the audience.