Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Necromancer Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 23, 2021

In 1989’s “Necromancer,” revenge is a dish best served in a backyard Satanic-tented garage located in suburban Los Angeles. The highs and lows of low-budget filmmaking are on full display in the picture, which uses slasher formula for a possession story to give audiences some limited thrills while director Dusty Nelson tries to put one foot in front of the other. Production achievements are limited and there’s not much of a fun factor to the endeavor, but “Necromancer” does deliver mild levels of aggression and B-movie weirdness for viewers jonesing for something distinctly created for the VHS market in the 1980s.

Julie (Elizabeth Kaitan) is a theater major trying to work around advances from Professor Charles (Russ Tamblyn), a man she was once in love with. While staying late on campus one night, Julie discovers Paul (Lee Cole), Carl (Edward A. Wright), and Allan (Shawn Eisner) digging around office files on the hunt for test materials. Julie can’t escape the power of the men, surviving a horrible sexual assault during the conflict. Unable to turn to anyone for help, including her boyfriend, Eric (John Tyler), Julie finds her way to Lisa (Lois Masten Ewing), a princess of Satan who conjures dark power in her garage. Accepting demonic help, Julie gains the power of bodily destruction, setting out to slaughter the men who attempted to destroy her life while outsider Ernest (Waide Aaron Riddle), curious about Lisa’s ways, learns the true power she’s capable of.

“Necromancer” opens with a quote from the Dead Sea Scrolls, which is Nelson’s way of assigning some importance to the picture, also slapping an Edgar Allan Poe quote at the end of the film. Such literary majesty doesn’t really fit what the movie actually has to offer, opening with Lisa taking care of an unsatisfied customer in her decorated garage, which is covered with a red tarp featuring a pentagram drawn on it, making one wonder exactly how the neighbors feel about such a temple of doom conducting business in broad daylight. However, as goofy as the introduction is, things get a bit darker with Julie’s trip to theater offices, taking on a solo mission inside a seemingly empty building, soon happening on three mouthbreathing goons and their sexual urges/power plays. Mercifully, Nelson keeps the sexual assault short (it’s not necessary to begin with), setting the plot in motion as a distraught Julie finds her way to Lisa, trusting in the power of evil to help her when friends and law enforcement cannot.

“Necromancer” assumes the B-movie position, with the deadly men dispatched one-by-one. Julie is inhabited by ultimate power, but Nelson doesn’t have that kind of budget, getting by with a few scenes of seductions-turned-ugly, offering iffy special effects and an unclear depiction of pain. The “Demon of Vengeance” needs some much cash to really showcase her hellacious appetite for chaos, leaving “Necromancer” amusing at times, but never as wonderfully graphic as it has the potential to be.

Necromancer Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation provides "Necromancer" with a new life on Blu-ray. Sourced from a 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative, the feature looks vivid, with colors especially strong. Bold reds identify the menace of the titular character, and greens are distinct, from the natural presence of the locations to little bursts of hair color on the characters. Period fashion brings out strong primaries. Skintones are natural. Cinematography is softer but detail is clear throughout, offering textures on outfits and facial surfaces. Horror elements, including makeup achievements, are also appreciable. Distances are open for survey. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in good condition, with some inherent frame wear during the main titles.

Necromancer Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides decent clarity with dialogue exchanges, running into some sibilance issues here and there. Emotional content is understood, and moments of rage are well balanced. Scoring enjoys clear instrumentation and suspenseful support with a louder synth presence, and party scenes offer clear vocals. Sound effects are satisfactory, along with atmospherics involving crowds and outdoor events.

Necromancer Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Taking the Reins" (55:51, HD) is a video conference interview with director Dusty Nelson, who recalls his early years in Pittsburgh, finding an internship at a local public television station which offered him access to the technical side of production. Getting into sound editing, Nelson found mentors in Fred Rogers and George Romero. Moving to Los Angeles, Nelson accepted odd jobs, finding his way to Taiwan to direct 1987's "White Phantom." Hired to edit "Necromancer," the interviewee was soon promoted to director when the original helmer (William Naud) left the project, inspiring a weekend rewrite to rethink the story. Dealing with a speedy schedule, Nelson aimed to please, but technical issues weren't hammered out, and time is spent discussing how he used the original footage in his version of the picture. Also explored is the creation of special effects, doing whatever possible to salvage poor work. Nelson's first impression of "Necromancer" was one of embarrassment, detailing how he moved on from the situation, growing disillusioned with the film business. He closes with some thoughts on star Elizabeth Kaitan.

• "Conjuring the Past" (12:04, HD) is an interview with actor Waide Riddle, who decided to try his luck in Hollywood in 1984, quickly realizing just how harsh the industry is. As a licensed cosmetologist, Riddle made a living, but acting jobs were acquired, including "Necromancer," with a producer bringing him in for the part. Riddle shares his efforts to create a look for the character, and details his impression of director Dusty Nelson, who didn't have much time for personal support. Thoughts on star Elizabeth Kaitan are offered, and the interviewee explores the strange special effects in the feature. Riddle also recalls showing "Necromancer" to his supportive mother and grandmother. He closes with a summary of his writing career, which began when acting inspiration dried up.

• "A Despicable Job" (15:16, HD) is an interview with actor Lee Cole, who explains why he's credited as "Stan Hurwitz" on "Necromancer," electing to cover his tracks a bit while taking a non-union job. Hired by original director William Naud, Cole offers a positive impression of his replacement, Dusty Nelson. Character work is covered, and Cole shares his experience with Elizabeth Kaitan, along with intimate time with a butterfly knife, giving his character extra menace. Making a living while performing in the "Legend of Conan" stunt show at Universal Studios and dabbling in television, Cole eventually made the decision to become a special effects man, specializing in pyro work. The interviewee acknowledges the cult appreciation for "Necromancer," and shows off the flask he used in the movie.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Necromancer Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Necromancer" is short-sheeted all around, but some praise is reserved for Kaitan, who hits the top of her range as Julie, successfully selling emotional suffering as the character doesn't know what to do about the crime she's survived. The rest of the cast goes overboard to broadcast evil, but such theatricality is something in a film that doesn't offer much. "Necromancer" isn't a genre gem, primarily reserved for bottom shelf fans on the hunt for strange depictions of Satanic might.