Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

He Knows You're Alone Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 17, 2021

1980’s “He Knows You’re Alone” is most notable for two things: it was one of the first slasher features to ride the success of 1978’s “Halloween,” and it offers a young Tom Hanks in his first screen acting job. These bits of trivia tend to define the picture’s position in horror history, but director Armand Mastroianni and screenwriter Scott Parker provide more suspense and characterization than the average genre offering, giving the endeavor a little more to work with when trying to frighten audiences. “He Knows You’re Alone” isn’t a sophisticated chiller, but the production has some good ideas for hideous happenings, paired with energetic performances to bring the nightmare to life. It’s an entertaining movie that achieves most of its creative goals, keeping things uneasy without getting completely ugly.

Amy (Caitlin O’Heaney) is about to marry Phil (James Carroll), a young man nobody really likes. Facing a future as a housewife, Amy is having second thoughts about her decision, left to consider things during a weekend when Phil’s away at his bachelor party, while she remains with pals Joyce (Patsy Pease) and Nancy (Elizabeth Kemp). On the loose is Ray (Tom Rolfing), a killer who’s fond of stabbing brides-to-be, and he’s arrived to make life miserable for Amy, stalking her while she deals with heavy emotions. On the case is Detective Len (Lewis Arlt), who lost a loved one to Ray, making it his duty to figure out where the madman is and gun him down. As Len follows the clues, Amy tries to maintain her sanity, growing aware that Ray is not a figment of her imagination, but a real threat coming for her.

“He Knows You’re Alone” offers a cheeky opening, following a frightened woman as she excuses herself during a showing of a generic slasher film, paying a visit to a theater bathroom where she gets the sense that she’s not alone. Turns out, she’s right, turning an evening at the movies into a crime scene to inspire Len’s pursuit of Ray. It’s a different way to launch the feature (and a lawsuit against “Scream 2”), with Parker getting the effort up and moving, delivering a sharp scene of suspense that inspires many more, especially when Ray makes his way to Amy’s neck of the woods. There’s no mystery to crack in “He Knows You’re Alone,” with the killer making his presence known right away, allowing the picture to deal with characters, not red herrings.

Murder is the star of the show in “He Knows You’re Alone,” as Ray is happy to slice through others to get to Amy, allowing the helmer to arrange violent encounters that mostly keep away from gore zone visits. Suspense works in the picture, but personal fears are just as effective, especially with Amy’s arc of doubt as she’s faced with a possible life of servitude with Phil, also reuniting with Marvin (Don Scardino), her ex-boyfriend and a morgue attendant who’s always loved her. Amy’s crisis is actually dealt with, following her as she struggles to make a decision about marriage, giving O’Heaney a more significant part than the genre usually offers. Detective Len’s subplot isn’t as effective, as “He Knows You’re Alone” weirdly downplays the cop’s presence during the midsection of effort, more interested in the conflicted heart of a future bride.

He Knows You're Alone Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as a "New 2K Scan From The Interpositive." "He Knows You're Alone" is a low- budget offering with a limited visual reach, but detail is appreciable with facial surfaces and cold weather gear. Town tours and forest visits retain some dimension. Softness is present, but not oppressive. Colors explore a colder palette befitting the autumnal chill in the air, while warmer hues are found in domestic settings. Primaries are compelling, pushing reds, and costuming favors darker fabrics, with browns and grays. Delineation is acceptable. Grain is heavier but film-like. Source is in good condition.

He Knows You're Alone Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA track keeps things simple, leading with dialogue exchanges, which offer clarity and dramatic emphasis without distortion. Scoring cues retain delicate and driving piano sounds, and some bouncier pop-ish stretches. Sound effects are basic.

He Knows You're Alone Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Armand Mastroianni and screenwriter Scott Parker.

• "It Came from Staten Island" (13:25, HD) is an interview with director Armand Mastroianni, who shares his lifelong love of storytelling, graduating from campfires to cameras as he matured, honing his skills as a filmmaker. An early festival award ceremony put him in touch with Otto Preminger, who offered Mastroianni contacts, putting him on track to make a low-budget horror event with producer George Manasse. The plan for "He Knows You're Alone" was to work on suspense, not gore, giving the feature more tension than the competition. Casting is highlighted, but no mention of Tom Hanks is made. A sale to MGM resulted in a title change and a more cartoonish marketing campaign, and the interviewee recalls the first screening of "He Knows You're Alone."

• "Shooting in My Own Backyard" (9:40, HD) is a video conference interview with producer Bob Di Milia, who explains how he initially met director Armand Mastroianni, responding positively to his confidence. Hunting for a city to shoot in, Di Milia ultimately made Staten Island work for the production, and his discusses various locations used in the movie, including an amusement park and hospital. The interviewee explores the making of the opening film-within-a-film and the stylistic approach for "He Knows You're Alone," making sure to avoid graphic content, leaving the deaths up to the viewer's imagination. Di Milia supplies an appreciation for Mastroianni and marvels over the cult longevity of the endeavor, helped along by Tom Hanks and his shout-outs to the effort over the years.

• "Godspells and Blood Weddings" (12:08, HD) is a video conference interview with actor Don Scardino, who shares his connections with the producers of "He Knows You're Alone," working with them on "Godspell" and "Squirm." Scardino offers his impression of director Armand Mastroianni, enjoying the young man's enthusiasm for filmmaking, and discusses his co-stars, including Tom Hanks, reuniting with the star decades later. More "Godspell" connections are highlighted, and the interviewee recalls his first viewing of the movie, delighted to see how riled up the audience was. He closes with an assessment of the psychology found in "He Knows You're Alone."

• "Violence Is Implied" (7:46, HD) is a video conference interview with screenwriter Scott Parker, who details his relationship with director Armand Mastroianni, turning down a studio gig to work on "He Knows You're Alone," having fun figuring out the story. Parker discusses the film-within-a-film idea and his quest to avoid gore, which the producers pushed back on. Casting is examined, with Tom Hanks's presence on-set recalled. Staten Island locations are noted and the hunt for a proper title is tracked, with "Blood Wedding" shot down after the shoot. Parker's experience seeing the picture with an audience is also shared.

• T.V. Spots (2:06, SD) offer four commercials for "He Knows You're Alone."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:31, HD) is included.

He Knows You're Alone Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Hanks has a small role, popping up near the hour mark as a character who's explored the psychology of fear, joining Amy on a trip to an amusement part during what appears to be an early winter day. It's fun to see the future screen icon showing early thespian appeal, adding some liveliness to the film. He doesn't last long, with the writing soon exploring a traditional horror climax of chases and near misses, competently arranged by Mastroianni, who clearly has a love for the game, using "He Knows You're Alone" as a chance to show his stuff with effective set pieces and enthusiastic performances.