Nightmare Alley 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Nightmare Alley 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman January 23, 2026

Remember when colorizing old black and white films was all the rage (rightly or wrongly)? Well, some wags may want to joke that the venerable Criterion Collection is reversing things now by offering black and white versions of films originally released in color. Much as with Criterion's release of Basquiat 4K and Basquiat (1080), the label's new release of Nightmare Alley offers the original theatrical version in color and a rejiggered black and white edition, one which in this particular instance is a longer Director's Cut of the film. In this case Criterion is not offering separate standalone 1080 and 4K releases, and instead has packaged four discs, two 1080 and two 4K, offering either the theatrical cut or Guillermo del Toro's new Director's Cut in 1080 and 4K.

Nightmare Alley received 1080 and 4K releases from Disney / Buena Vista a couple of years ago. My Nightmare Alley 4K Blu-ray review and Nightmare Alley Blu-ray review offer my thoughts on the film, a list of supplements included on the 1080 disc, and my reaction to the technical presentation. The Director's Cut adds around ten or so minutes to the proceedings, including divisions evidently based on the original source novel (which I have not read) featuring various Tarot card interstitials. Del Toro is on hand in a supplement mentioning how he wanted to let the characters and plot "breathe" a little more in this version, and there is a probably more languid first act in particular. Interestingly, a lot of the additional content tends to focus more on Stan (Bradley Cooper) and Zeena (Toni Collette) rather than the ostensibly "hotter" interchanges between Stan and Lilith (Cate Blanchett). I frankly wouldn't argue that any of the additions are that substantial, and in fact this new version probably gains its most impact from being in black and white.

Nightmare Alley 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc offering the black and white Director's Cut of the film. There are many more screenshots of the Theatrical Cut in color available in the above linked reviews of the previous Disney / Buena Vista releases.

This four disc release offers Nightmare Alley in HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p and AVC encoded 1080p transfers in 1.85:1. As I'd be hard pressed to cite any real differences between the presentations Criterion offers of the Theatrical Cut when compared to the Disney / Buena Vista release, I'll simply recommend those interested to head over to those reviews for my thoughts on the color version. This black and white version is absolutely sumptuous in both 1080 and 4K, and in fact the 4K presentation proves quite admirably that HDR / Dolby Vision grades can often offer as much luster to monochromatic presentations as they do for films bursting with color. I have to say I was repeatedly impressed not just with the absolutely crystalline detail levels and lustrous contrast offered in both the 1080 and 4K versions, but also from a perhaps more subliminal, interior perspective, simply the mood this change makes for the entire film. Yes, of course, this probably more aptly echoes what many think of as a traditional noir ambience by offering a "vintage" look, but this black and white version perhaps surprisingly can offer what to my eyes looks at least intermittently like better fine detail levels on things like patterns on costumes and also superior shadow detail, as in the disturbing early look at a "geek". Black levels are impressive throughout and help to establish a suitably troubling atmosphere.

Nightmare Alley 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

In a way this release repeats the audio codecs that were offered on the Disney / Buena Vista releases, though in a slightly different fashion. Instead of offering a Dolby Atmos track on the 4K UHD discs and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track on the 1080 discs (as the Disney releases did), this instead offers an Atmos track on the Theatrical Cut (in both resolutions) and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for the Director's Cut (both resolutions). Both the Atmos and 5.1 tracks struck me as basically identical audio presentations to the former releases, and so I'll repeat some of my original review comments here. The Theatrical Cut offers a nicely wrought Dolby Atmos track, one which takes all of the already excellent immersive qualities of the Director Cut's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio and literally and figuratively ups the ante with some new if at times subtle spaciousness. The Atmos channels are winningly engaged in moments like the first scene where Stan witnesses a geek, which involves the audience in a kind of arena up above the poor man, with an appealing verticality added to the sound design. A lot of the carnival material has at least some new overhead activity, though engagement of the side and rear channels was to my ears more or less identical to the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 version. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Nightmare Alley 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: The Theatrical Cut's 4K UHD disc offers no on disc supplements.

Theatrical Cut 1080 Disc (2:30:19)

• Noir Anew (HD; 42:37) is a well done making of which advertises "unprecedented" access to del Toro and his archival material.


• Guillermo del Toro and Bradley Cooper (HD; 21:30) discuss formulating the character of Stanton.

Director's Cut 4K UHD Disc (2:40:09)

• Commentary by Guillermo del Toro

Director's Cut 1080 Disc (2:40:09)

• Commentary by Guillermo del Toro


• Shadows in the Midway: The Versions of Nightmare Alley (HD; 3:23) offers del Toro discussing the two cuts.


• A Geek's Tale: Adapting Nightmare Alley (HD; 13:06) features del Toro and co-writer Kim Morgan.


• Trailers (HD; 4:23)

This is packaged with a slipbox enclosing a DigiPack holding the four discs. An insert leaflet offers some interesting writing, including an essay by del Toro on the Director's Cut.

Nightmare Alley 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I frankly found the black and white version of Basquiat to be a "thought experiment" of sorts, but perhaps surprisingly, Nightmare Alley may really benefit from this monochrome version, as it adds a really interesting subliminal component to an already arresting production design. Technical merits are first rate, and the new supplements featuring del Toro are especially interesting. Recommended.