Strangers with Candy Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Strangers with Candy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 1, 2025

Created by Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello, Mitch Rouse, and Amy Sedaris, “Strangers with Candy” was originally a television series that ran for three seasons on Comedy Central, ending in 2000. The show followed the adventures of Jerry, a former sex worker and addict, who elects to return to high school as a 46-year-old woman, using her prison instincts to help navigate a new world of challenges from staff and students. It was a cult program that never attracted much mainstream attention, but it developed a loyal audience, and perhaps one that was deeply saddened by the eventual cancellation of the series. 2006’s “Strangers with Candy” is a feature-film revival of the show, putting star Amy Sedaris back in charge as Jerri, with the endeavor going the prequel route, detailing how the character moved from the big house to high school hallways. Directed by Dinello, and scripted by Sedaris, Colbert, and Dinello, “Strangers with Candy” is an amusing ride with a new R-rated upgrade, though there’s definitely a limit when it comes to the appeal of the material’s zaniness. Even with a short run time, the movie can feel a little long, especially when it pursues weaker subplots and ideas.

Jerri (Amy Sedaris) is fresh out of prison, looking forward to a return to her childhood home, reconnecting with her father, Guy (Dan Hedaya). Jerri is shocked to learn her dad has remarried, bringing Sara (Deborah Rush) into the house, and he has a son, Derrick (Joseph Cross). He’s also in a coma due to stress-related issues, inspiring Dr. Putney (Ian Holm) to suggest that Jerri become a “good girl” and redirect her life to help her father. A middle-aged woman, Jerri elects to return to Flatpoint High School and finally graduate, only to feel overwhelmed by the whole process, handling troubled teachers like Mr. Noblet (Stephen Colbert), who’s having a secret affair with art teacher Mr. Jellineck (Paul Dinello). Principal Blackman (Gregory Hollimon) is in a tough position, tasked with finding enough above-average students to help him steal school funding, bringing in science fair champ Beekman (Matthew Broderick) to help win an upcoming competition. Jerri realizes this is her ticket to glory, soon paired with friends Tammi (Maria Thayer) and Megawatti (Carlo Alban) as the “Fig Neutrons,” setting out to claim the top prize. However, standing in the way of success is mean girl Monica (Elisabeth Harnois), who hates Jerri, and jock Brason (Chris Pratt) proves to be a major distraction for the recent parolee, complicating her journey of redemption.

Jerri’s prison stint isn’t a major part of “Strangers with Candy.” In fact, it’s sped through via a montage of cellblock experiences, playing like a studio note to get to the high school experience as far as possible. It’s a shame, and there are laughs in Jerri’s time behind bars, but her return home is the primary focus on the screenplay, which tracks the character’s various shocks as she learns about her father’s coma and the presence of Sara and half-brother Derrick, whom she immediately doesn’t like. “Strangers with Candy” also establishes a subplot with Principal Blackman, who’s facing financial ruin when school board members (Allison Janney and Philip Seymour Hoffman) put pressure on him to deliver top test scores, adding some sense of focus to the episodic nature of the picture.

Jerri’s high school experience has its humorous moments, and there’s a large supporting cast to keep the feature in motion, including the arrival of Brason, a classmate Jerri is looking to seduce. Megawatti is a science fair partner who develops a crush on Jerri, and Tammi serves the function of a female friend, allowing Jerri to enjoy gossip with a teenager she’s also attracted to. And there’s all kinds of emotional events connected to Mr. Noblet, a born-again Christian science teacher struggling with bisexuality. The screenplay certainly piles a lot on “Strangers with Candy,” but Dinello does an acceptable job managing all the jokes and ideas zooming around the endeavor. This also includes plenty of un-p.c. lines and bits that Sedaris seems to savor the most, having a ball adding scenes of shock value to the offering, which supports her impressively contorted face, becoming another element of the effort Dinello loves to highlight.

Strangers with Candy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The visual presentation (1.85:1 aspect ratio) for "Strangers with Candy" is listed as a "new 4K transfer from the 35mm interpositive." Detail is consistent throughout the viewing experience, providing a decent feel for skin particulars on the cast, including the extremity of Sedaris's appearance. Costuming is also fibrous. School interiors are dimensional, examining classrooms and hallways (there's a lot of frame information to study for extra jokes). Exteriors are deep with neighborhood activity. Color is defined, offering sharp primaries with school events and decoration, and more varied hues register as intended during science fair action, including silver dance outfits and Bollywood-influenced style. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is capably resolved. Source is in good condition.

Strangers with Candy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix is dealing with a low-budget feature in "Strangers with Candy." Dialogue exchanges are prioritized, keeping comedic activity and emphasis defined throughout the listening event. Scoring offers simple support, delivering an appreciable synth sound. Soundtrack selections maintain crisp instrumentation and vocals. Surrounds explore some musical moods and atmospherics, but this is primarily a frontal track. Low-end isn't challenged.

Strangers with Candy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features actors Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello, and Stephen Colbert.

• Deleted Scenes (19:48, SD) provide a large selection of snipped ideas from "Strangers with Candy," including time with Jerri in prison and her acclimation to home and school life. Celebrity cameos are fleshed out, watching Sarah Jessica Parker's character try to seduce a student, and there's a lot more of Matthew Broderick's turn as Beekman, working hard to bring his science fair presentation to life. Additional time in Noblet's angry, panicky world is also offered.

• "Atomic Car" (3:37, SD) is a music video from Delano Grove, starring the character Iris Puffybush.

• DVD Promo (:50, SD) highlights the home video release of "Strangers with Candy."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:23, SD) is included.

Strangers with Candy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Celebrity cameos help to brighten up "Strangers with Candy," which has a very "Muppet Movie" vibe as famous actors pop into the proceedings, including Sarah Jessica Parker as a grief counselor, and Kristen Johnston makes a bizarre appearance as a physically disabled gym teacher instructing students how to dodge stampeding bulls. A lot of bits carry on for far too long in the movie, but many also connect superbly, creating some laughs as Jerri gets in deep with school and life demands. The writing tries to launch a big finale with science fair displays, which is an admirable attempt to give this tiny production a sense of scale, but the real pleasure of "Strangers with Candy" is Sedaris, who works as a comedic performer and a special effect, trying to make Jerri an awful but loveable human being. Perhaps this mission is best served in episodic T.V. form, but the prequel hits a few creative highs and moments of weirdness worth paying attention to, even for those new to this world of high school anxiety and post-prison behavior.