Larry Cohen: Mystery & Misdirection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Larry Cohen: Mystery & Misdirection Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 30, 2025

Director Larry Cohen has made a few terrific pictures during his career, but Shout Factory isn’t interested in those, choosing to celebrate the helmer’s creative ways with the “Mystery & Misdirection” triple feature set, which brings 1977’s “The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover,” 1984’s “Special Effects,” and 1989’s “Wicked Stepmother” to Blu-ray.

Click here for a review of The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover

Click here for a review of Special Effects

Click here for a review of Wicked Stepmother

Larry Cohen: Mystery & Misdirection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

See above for reviews.

Larry Cohen: Mystery & Misdirection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

See above for reviews.

Larry Cohen: Mystery & Misdirection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover

• "The Most Feared Man" (11:12, HD) is an appreciation piece from film music historian Daniel Schweiger.

• And a Trailer (1:40, SD) is included.

Special Effects

• A Theatrical Trailer (1:41, SD) is included.

Wicked Stepmother

• "Which Witch is Which" (12:10, HD) is a video conference interview with editor David Kern, who initially met Larry Cohen through David Carradine, receiving a phone call years later to help put 1982's "Q – The Winged Serpent" into shape. The interviewee reflects on his professional relationship with the helmer, which boils down to a "do what your told" dynamic, eventually hired to edit "Wicked Stepmother," receiving a chance to work with Bette Davis footage. The actress proved to be difficult during the making of the feature, dealing with a dental issue that triggered a loss of confidence, eventually quitting the picture. Production quickly resumed with Barbara Carrera, and Kern details optical mistakes made after the casting change, adding pressure on the director, who fought for a chance to finish the feature. Admitting "Wicked Stepmother" was "lacking in some departments," Kern remains candid about the strange professional experience, admitting he hasn't seen the film in years.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:34, SD) is included.

Larry Cohen: Mystery & Misdirection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The "Mystery & Misdirection" set isn't big on supplementary material, only including one interview with someone who actually worked on a Cohen movie. And A/V is inconsistent, finding "Wicked Stepmother" the most appealing of the three titles, making the release best left for die-hard fans of the filmmaker and his iffy oeuvre.