Lurkers Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Lurkers Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 5, 2017

For her second directorial effort from 1988, Robert Findlay returns to the comfort of horror to inspire the extremes of “Lurkers.” It’s a ghost story that’s primarily fueled by paranoia, again keeping the helmer busy with a vision of Hell on Earth that doesn’t require much in the way of locations and story. It’s a simplistic nightmare, and one that’s not particularly tasteful, but it has closure, giving it the appearance of a “Tales from the Crypt” episode, only with slightly more feminine hygiene-inspired sexuality.

As an abused child, Cathy (Christine Moore) was once visited by ghosts in the midst of her trauma, but she’s managed to pull out of her mental tailspin, achieving normalcy in adulthood as a cellist, engaged to Bob (Gary Warner), a fashion photographer. As she reaches a position of domestic peace, horror returns to her life, finding herself back in the apartment building that once caused her tremendous pain.

Findlay does well with ghostly interactions, which are crudely executed but charming in a B-movie way. However, there are long stretches between unsettling events, with much of “Lurkers” about Bob’s womanizing interests and his denial of Cathy’s concerns, especially her claims of a ghostly woman tailing her.

Lurkers Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Lurkers" preserves the feature's interest in dark events, with encouraging delineation maintaining frame information, and detail is quite good. Textures on make-up efforts remain, and costuming handles with care. Locations are also open for inspection, with adequate distances and sharpness. Colors are bright and steady, offering vibrant outfits and street signage, while skintones are natural. Grain is heavier but managed successfully. Wear and tear is mild, keeping the source agreeable.

Lurkers Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't always consistent, with age-related issues contributing to a few muffled stretches. Production limitations are present to begin with, leaving dialogue exchanges at the mercy of NYC traffic, but intelligibility isn't a profound issue. Scoring is inherently thin, leaving the synth chirps accurate and supportive. Stronger sound effects and group activity maintains clarity.

Lurkers Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Teaser Trailer (:32, HD) and a Theatrical Trailer (1:18, HD) are included.

Lurkers Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Lurkers" gets very strange in its final act, which helps with the feature's entertainment value. Cathy goes on an "Eyes Wide Shut" tour of an apartment party, discovering multiple oddities along the way, including a senior citizen orgy and the aforementioned feminine hygiene celebration. It's almost worth the price of admission just to see Findlay's imagination in action, and, to her credit, she nails the tone of the finale. While it's corny, the climax works, sticking a landing that didn't seem possible in the open ten minutes of the movie.