Spellbinder 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Spellbinder 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov April 14, 2026

Janet Greek's "Spellbinder" (1988) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films. The supplemental features on the release include new program with Janet Greek; new program with actor M.C. Gainey; new program with make-up effects designer Rick Stratton; vintage promotional materials for the film; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

She was everything he ever dreamed of -- and more.

A first date that ends with a theatrical screening of Spellbinder is bound to be an unforgettable experience. It is guaranteed to prolong the date with a wonderful, most likely quite hilarious discussion that would make it impossible for the dating parties not to discover whether they are compatible. If they enthusiastically begin agreeing with each other about major developments in Spellbinder, they will be, and the two will remember their first date for as long as they are alive. However, the same discussion can also erase all good impressions the two parties may have made before reaching the theater. It would do it lightning fast, too.

Moments after exiting his favorite gym, Jeff Mills (Tim Daly) and a few of his best pals notice a man (Anthony Crivello) abusing a beautiful girl (Kelly Preston). Mills and his law partner (Rick Rossovich) confront the man and force him to retreat, and shortly after Mills gives the girl a ride -- straight to his place. Mills then learns that the girl’s name is Miranda, and the two make love for hours.

In the days ahead, Mills falls madly in love with the girl, and his life quickly evolves in a way he had not thought possible. Mills begins to see himself as a family man, taking care of the girl, doing what he can to make her feel just as happy to be with him. His friends and coworkers also notice the positive change and assure him that he has found his soulmate. Only his loyal secretary (Diana Bellamy) unexpectedly disappoints him after declaring that something about the girl is not right.

Soon after, the loyal secretary is proven right. Mills and the girl become targets for a group of very odd strangers, and when he attempts to find out why, an avalanche of dark secrets resets his entire system of beliefs.

Spellbinder accomplishes a lot more than it appears capable of for two reasons. Janet Greek works with a fine screenplay by Tracey Torme, who would later pen an even better screenplay for Robert Lieberman’s Fire in the Sky. A large portion of the screenplay for Spellbinder produces several very good curveballs and a solid finale that essentially legitimizes everything that precedes it. This is not as doable as it seems because during the most critical stretch of Mills’ relationship with the girl, it very much begins to look like Spellbinder is simply rehashing clichéd situations to wrap up its story in the most banal way possible.

Preston makes it impossible to dislike Spellbinder. This is a serious accomplishment because one does not have to dig deep to find various issues in it, virtually all of which can be traced to Greek’s mostly clumsy direction and various questionable performances. Preston is a genuinely gorgeous distraction, having the same effect on the audience that she does on her new boyfriend.

Occasionally, the atmosphere can be pretty decent. However, considering the number of similar great genre films that emerged from the 1980s, it is impossible not to declare that even with the modest budget at her disposal, Greek should have been able to create plenty more.

Greek teamed up with Polish-born cinematographer Adam Greenberg, an urgent replacement for the original cinematographer that was attached to Spellbinder, who had already lensed James Cameron’s blockbuster The Terminator.

*Imprint Films' combo pack release presents an exclusive new 4K restoration of Spellbinder, sourced from its original camera negative.

Spellbinder 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Imprint Films' release of Spellbinder is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. The 4K Blu-ray and the Blu-ray are both Region-Free.

Please note that some of the screencaptures included with this article are taken from the 4K Blu-ray and downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc.

Screencaptures #1-27 are taken from the Blu-ray.
Screencaptures #31-39 are taken from the 4K Blu-ray.

The release presents an exclusive new 4K restoration of Spellbinder, sourced from its original camera negative, on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray. In native 4K, the 4K restoration can be viewed with Dolby Vision and HDR grades. I chose to view it with Dolby Vision. Later, I spent time with its 1080p presentation on the Blu-ray.

In America, Spellbinder made its high-definition debut with this Blu-ray release, produced by the late Walt Olsen from Scorpion Releasing, and distributed by Kino Lorber. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of it in my library.

The new 4K restoration produce gorgeous, healthy, and very attractive visuals. To be honest, the strength of the visuals is such it is fairly easy to declare that the entire film looks the best it ever has. Indeed, delineation, clarity, and depth range from excellent to outstanding, and the density levels of all visuals remain enormously impressive. There are no traces of any compromising digital corrections. Color reproduction and balance are great. All primaries and supporting nuances are properly set, nicely saturated, and wonderfully balanced. I was particularly impressed with how darker material was managed because there is a lot of it throughout the film and the HDR grade handles darker nuances very, very well. During daylight footage, brightness levels were great, too. I did several comparisons between the native 4K and 1080p presentations. During the daylight footage, the benefits of the expanded color gamut and its effect(s) on the dynamic range of the visuals are obvious. However, I felt that in a few places -- like the sequence where the lovers are trapped in the house -- the 1080p presentation was preferable. Image stability is excellent. The entire film looks immaculate as well. Great 4K restoration.

Spellbinder 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I did not encounter any anomalies to report in our review. However, I have to mention that the film's original sound design definitely makes it easy to conclude that the bulk of the financial resources provided for it were spent elsewhere. Why? While surprisingly active, the soundtrack has plenty of uneven spots and effects that could have been a lot more, well, effective. (See the noises in the dark house or the finale). Obviously, it is how the soundtrack was finalized, so the lossless track is not to be blamed. All exchanges are clear, sharp, and easy to follow.

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

4K BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary - in this archival audio commentary, Janet Greek instantly reveals that the current opening of Spellbinder is not the original opening but a "second reel", and all of the footage she had shot -- apparently revealing that Tim Daly is an orphan and the only person who knows his story and cares about him is his loyal secretary -- was unceremoniously, and without her approval, cut out by MGM. Also, Greek reveals that Kelly Preston was a "last minute cast" addition and Spellbinder was inspired by a horrific true story, which she carefully researched. Greek even claims that MGM intentionally kneecapped Spellbinder because her ex-husband, a famous Hollywood producer who did not want her to be successful, arranged a struck a deal with Alan Ladd Jr. to "dump the film".

• Trailer - presented here is a remastered vintage trailer for Spellbinder. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary - in this archival audio commentary, Janet Greek instantly reveals that the current opening of Spellbinder is not the original opening but a "second reel", and all of the footage she had shot -- apparently revealing that Tim Daly is an orphan and the only person who knows his story and cares about him is his loyal secretary -- was unceremoniously, and without her approval, cut out by MGM. Also, Greek reveals that Kelly Preston was a "last minute cast" and Spellbinder was inspired by a horrific true story, which she carefully researched. Greek even claims that MGM intentionally kneecapped Spellbinder because her ex-husband, a famous Hollywood producer who did not want her to be successful, arranged a struck a deal with Alan Ladd Jr. to "dump the film".

• Witchcrafting - in this exclusive new program, Janet Greek explains how she entered the film industry and discusses the development and production of Spellbinder. Also, Greek comments on the real story/events that inspired Spellbinder and the many changes she made to Tracey Torme. In English, not subtitled. (32 min).

• Brockstar - in this exclusive new program, actor M.C. Gainey discusses the character he plays in Spellbinder and the bunker scene, as well as his interactions with Janet Greek and Kelly Preston. Also, Gainey confesses that for a long time he did not see the final version of the film. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).

• Effects Magic - in this exclusive new program, make-up effects designer Rick Stratton discusses his transition to the film industry and the type of projects that earned him a reputation, as well as his work on Spellbinder. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).

• From Witchcraft to Witchsploitation - in this exclusive new program, film and occult historian Heather Greene discusses her work with real witches and their representation in cinema. In English, not subtitled. (22 min).

• Spellbound - in this archival program, actor Anthony Crivello discusses his background, how he was offered his part in Spellbinder, and his experience during the making of it. Crivello also has some interesting comments about the special effects in the film. The program contains major spoilers. In English, not subtitled. (29 min).

• Storyboard Gallery - presented here are numerous storyboard-to-screen comparisons, with music. (11 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a remastered vintage trailer for Spellbinder. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

• Screenplay - a 200-page softcover copy of the original shooting sceenplay -- then called 'Witching Hour' -- with never-before-seen handwritten notes, sketches, and storyboards which provide a truly unique glimpse into the production process.

• Hardback Book - a 70-page hardback book filled with production stills, and a brand new essay by Heidi Honeycutt, author of 'I Spit On Your Celluloid: The History of Women Directing Horror Movies'.

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

It is debatable whether Spellbinder would have been a dramatically better film had MGM not cut out all the material Janet Greek describes and claims preceded its current opening. Apparently, there is even more in it that also isn't presented as initially conceived. Spellbinder could have been a better polished film, but it still works quite well and, in my opinion, despite Greek's often clumsy direction. In a few places, it is genuinely spooky, but not as spooky as the true story Greek references and states was the inspiration for it. Imprint Films' release presents a terrific new 4K restoration of Spellbinder on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray, together with a fine selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.