Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Scared to Death Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 13, 2022

To make a first impression as a filmmaker, William Malone leans on his love of monster movies with 1980’s “Scared to Death,” joining a long list of directors using genre entertainment as their way into the Hollywood system. The effort is low-budget and limited to a few locations and sets, but Malone has heart, working with whatever he’s got to piece together a horror film featuring the threat of a “synthesized genetic organism,” or Syngenor, who’s basically the Xenomorph from “Alien” if he grew up in the sewers of Los Angeles. Enthusiasm for the project is appreciable, but “Scared to Death” isn’t crisply edited, with Malone refusing to tighten the bolts on a picture that often wanders away from the central crisis, dealing with character business that’s not important, which helps to dilute what little suspense is present here.

Something is taking lives in Los Angeles, and these deaths are baffling law enforcement, with Detective Lou (David Moses) unable to find clues or piece together a motive for the strange murders. The police are giving up, but Lou looks for help, turning to ex-detective Ted (John Stinson) for assistance, with the novelist trying to maintain distance from his old career. However, the peculiarities of the case catch his attention, soon joined by Jennifer (Diana Davidson), his love interest. As attacks increase, Ted tries to find a connection, eventually acquiring answers from Sherry (Toni Jannotta), who understands the origin of this menace, known as the Syngenor, and the creature carries a specific taste for human bodily fluids.

The screenplay for “Scared to Death” is very conscious about formula and elements intended to generate audience interest in the lives of the characters. Malone opens the movie with a few painfully extended stalking sequences, getting in his nudity and slasher requirements, but he’s mostly working to develop the personalities involved in the case. There’s Lou, a noble cop who recognizes he needs help, and there’s Ted, a haunted man with a taste for Pop Rocks who’s turned his investigative instincts into novels, and he’s behind on delivery to his publisher. A meet cute involving a car accident brings Ted and Jennifer together, and “Scared to Death” ignores its title for a lengthy stretch of screen time as it deals with this not terribly engrossing relationship, which includes a daytime soap opera-like sex scene and sudden partnership between the lovers. The threat of Syngenor? Apparently, he can wait while Malone tries to maintain a defined human touch to the production, which is not likely to appeal to the core demographic of the feature.

Malone isn’t reinventing the monster movie with “Scared to Death,” but he does have some adequate ideas for hellraising. The screenplay tries to use the real-world experience of genetic engineering to inspire Syngenor’s creation, which gives the endeavor an enjoyable weird science atmosphere, but this development comes very late in the picture. Some of the stalking set pieces are decent, including a trip into a parking garage with roller skaters trying to enjoy an evening of forbidden ramps, and there’s plenty of sewer action for those who enjoy dark tunnels. The late addition of Sherry brings necessary exposition, and while Malone doesn’t know exactly what to do with the character, she’s more energetic than Jennifer, helping to add some spunk to the final act.

Two versions of “Scared to Death” are presented on this Blu-ray release: the Theatrical Cut (97:20) and a “Director’s Restoration” (94:25), with William Malone going back to his creation to clean it up and shape it into his “personal vision” for the film. Interestingly, Vinegar Syndrome makes it absolutely clear they aren’t involved in this edit and beautification of “Scared to Death.”

Scared to Death Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Scared to Death" is sourced from a 4K scan of the 16mm original camera negative. Colors are acceptable, but mild fluctuations are present. Period hues are appreciable, along with sewer lighting. Skintones are natural, and the monster's appearance is distinct. Detail reaches as far as it can with this softer viewing experience, picking up on facial particulars and clothing. City distances are reasonably dimensional. Creature features are textured. Delineation is acceptable. Grain is heavy but film-like. Source is in decent condition, with speckling and scratches present.

Scared to Death Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix wrestles with the technical limitations of the production. Consistency of dialogue exchanges isn't perfect, with some volume changes. And there are some sync issues with ADR efforts. Performances remain appreciable, but some lines are threatened along the way. Scoring cues also carry some age, but do fine with scenes of suspense, adding decent stings. Sound effects are blunt.

Scared to Death Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director William Malone and actors Bryce "Kermit" Eller and Diana Davidson.

• "Rise of the Syngenor" (75:03, HD) is the making-of for "Scared to Death," featuring interviews with writer/director William Malone, key grip/actor Mike Muscat, makeup supervisor Jim Suthers, effects crew member Kevin Altieri, and actors Bryce "Kermit" Eller, David Moses, Toni Janotta, and Diana Davidson. Malone was working as a sculptor for Don Post Studios when he got the itch to direct his first movie, recognizing the low-budget reality he was working with, but eager to emphasize his ability to make a monster. Taking elements from the masters, including H.R. Giger, Malone created the Syngenor with help from stand-in Eller, who was making a living playing Darth Vader for Lucasfilm-authorized personal appearances. Casting stories are shared, including a near-miss with Rick Springfield, who dropped out of the gig twice before finally leaving the production the night before shooting began. Directorial effort is highlighted, along with a team mentality, with multiple production roles passed around to everyone on "Scared to Death." L.A. locations are identified and technical achievements are celebrated, spotlighting the low-budget ingenuity of the picture. First viewings are recalled, a 1990 sequel is politely dismissed, and Davidson brings out a small collection of "William Malone souvenirs" to share with viewers, including a broken toy version of the Syngenor.

• "The Locations of 'Scared to Death'" (8:34, HD) joins writer/director William Malone as he returns to the streets and buildings where, 42 years ago, he was making his first feature.

• "Scared to Death" (3:50, HD) is a music video from Dracula Party.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Scared to Death Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Scared to Death" has the ingredients to be an entertaining ride with a derivative monster and a man of literature looking to end the creature's reign of terror. Malone doesn't have the money to add some genuine suspense and scale to the endeavor, but he also doesn't have the editorial instinct to emphasize screen activity, content to slow the feature to a crawl way too many times, with the movie a good 20 minutes longer than it has to be. There's a defined effort from Malone to make a traditional picture with defined drama and relationships, to give "Scared to Death" some weight and establish his directorial competence. But lost in this mission to build a helming career is focus on pace and genre pressure, with Malone not prioritizing screen energy and a sense of the macabre.