Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Schizoid 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 3, 2022

Masters of (many) disasters, Cannon Films wanted in on the growing trend of slasher movies, trying to make some “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th” money with their own take on the horrors of mystery killers and the victims they hate. For 1980’s “Schizoid,” producers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus turned to writer/director David Paulsen to come up with something scary and sellable, with the helmer already practiced in the subgenre, previously creating 1979’s “Savage Weekend.” Paulsen had mere weeks to come up with a workable screenplay for his latest endeavor, and speedy creative process shows in “Schizoid,” which is more about select scenes of mental illness than a deeply considered whodunit. Paulsen has the basic shape of a decent shocker, but he gradually pulls pacing out of the effort, which grinds to a full stop on multiple occasions, creating a disappointingly dull viewing experience with extraordinary little power as a fright film. Unless you count actor Klaus Kinski’s handsy approach to his visibly uneasy female co-stars. That’s pretty horrifying.

Julie (Marianna Hill) is a newspaper advice columnist receiving threatening letters from an unidentified stalker. The journalist is frightened, finding the cops unable to help her, leaving Julie to seek comfort with her therapy group, led by Dr. Fales (Klaus Kinski), whom she’s having an affair with, much to disgust of his daughter, Alison (Donna Wilkes). When members of the therapy group are targeted by a demented killer, Julie doesn’t know where to turn, leaning on ex-husband Doug (Craig Wasson) for help as she tries not to succumb to panic, cooking up a plan with the police to trap an elusive menace.

Paulsen tries to focus on characters in “Schizoid,” creating a community of victims and suspects to best develop a mood of mystery for the picture. Julie is the main character, but she’s surrounded by weirdos while dealing with an unusually persistent troublemaker who sends serial killer-style letters in the mail, putting her on edge as few others respect the threat level of the notes. There’s a germ of an idea worth exploring, but Paulsen is caught trying to develop dramatic entanglements and preserve the slasher experience, with several kill scenes present but not particularly commanding. “Schizoid” has blood, trying to reach fans of the subgenre as a killer-in-black uses sharp tools to dispose of innocent lives, with Julie picking up on the reality that members of the therapy group (including a strangely muted Christopher Lloyd) are being targeted by the madman.

“Schizoid” delivers a modest level of violence, but Paulsen is more interested in the illness surrounding Dr. Fales, a chain-smoking man of medicine who’s more than happy to ram his tongue down the throats of his female patients, with Julie a willing lover. The writing attempts to make a meal out of his unsettling presence, transforming the movie into a domestic disturbance picture as Alison loses control when Julie comes into her life. Paulsen believes in the power of red herrings, and Kinski certainly joins the mission, playing up the ugliness of Dr. Fales, who has issues he can’t control, adding more awful behavior to a feature that’s filled with the stuff. Kinski’s performance is abysmal, but most of the acting is in “Schizoid,” with the exception of Hill, who shows some spirit in the part as Julie manages the interests of a killer and the ways of dismissive men.

For additional information and analysis, please read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2013 Blu-ray review .

Schizoid 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Schizoid" was originally released on Blu-ray in 2013, and now returns to the marketplace with a 4K presentation from Vinegar Syndrome. While I do not have the original BD release on hand, the UHD offering, sourced from a scan of the 35mm original camera negative, appears to be a stunning upgrade for fans of the movie. Detail is excellent, exploring various skin surfaces and period costuming. Interiors are especially interesting, with decoration open for study, walking through households and office spaces. L.A. tours are dimensional. Colors are inviting, with the late 1970s on full display as shades of brown and orange compete for attention. Red blood has some potency, and clothing delivers bright primaries, along with street signage. Skintones are natural. Blacks are deep throughout the viewing experience, preserving shadow play with the murderer's movement. Highlights are restrained, offering a balanced sense of sunlight and lighting sources. Grain is nicely resolved, remaining fine and film-like. Source is in excellent condition.

Schizoid 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers a clear understanding of dialogue exchanges, which deal with a wide range of performance capabilities and accents. A few crackly highs are encountered, but nothing severe. Scoring cues favor a simple synth sound, with the chirpy music registering as intended, supporting suspense and lustful moments without overwhelming them. Sound effects are blunt but effective, with louder gunshots.

Schizoid 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "A Wellesley Graduate" (5:58, HD) is an interview with actress Flo Lawrence, who shares her initial casting story. She has high praise for director David Paulsen, and recalls some elements of the shoot, working late nights at a facility owned by Cannon Films. Lawrence also discusses her approach to topless dancing, trying to remain in-character to best understand the moment.

• "Shooting by March" (6:43, HD) is an interview with writer/director David Paulsen, who details his whirlwind experience on "Schizoid," reconnecting with co-producer Menahem Golan, who gave him one night to come up with a story to turn into a film. Scripted in two weeks and shot on a $350,000 budget, "Schizoid" launched into production, with Golan insisting on the participation of Klaus Kinski to help satisfy a contract. Kinski is described as a "character," but the two managed to stay friendly, communicating in French during the shoot.

• "Blood in the Jacuzzi" (7:02, HD) is an interview with makeup artist Erica Ueland, who explores her career at the time of "Schizoid," returning to L.A. with a job offer on the film. Production responsibilities are detailed, and the interviewee offers her memories of actors and David Paulsen. Ueland mentions a car accident that occurred during this time, shaking her up, and she closes with some moviegoing philosophy.

• "Hide the Scissors" (5:21, HD) is an interview with actress Donna Wilkes, who was just about to accept a job as a restaurant server before she received a call to do "Schizoid." Wilkes discusses how she relates to parts of the character, and provides an assessment of co-stars. Acting challenges are analyzed, including an accidental stabbing that occurred on-set. The interviewee remains surprised by the cult following for "Schizoid," noticing how often the title comes up during her convention appearances.

• And a Trailer (1:39, HD) is included.

Schizoid 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

After a passably diverting opening act, "Schizoid" doesn't snowball into a decent chiller. In fact, it's more than happy to remain perfectly still at times while Paulsen strains to get the movie to a Cannon-approved 90-minue run time. The helmer has everything here to deliver a decent sense of danger, but he's often caught in sluggish dramatics and stiffly executed murder sequences, also dealing with unwieldly performances that often inspire additional questions about characters Paulsen has no intention of answering.