The Card Player 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

The Card Player 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 15, 2025

As legendary a filmmaker as Dario Argento is, he’s had his share of duds, especially after his creative heyday in the 1970s and ‘80s. 2004’s “The Card Player” is far from his best work, finding Argento going into thriller mode with material that’s seldom suspenseful, out to make a detective story highlighting a perverse killer element while failing to inject the endeavor with style and urgency. The central point of pressure involving life or death games of video poker manages to hold attention, but the rest of “The Card Player” is quite dull, missing Argento’s enthusiasm for the macabre.

A killer has emerged in Rome, kidnapping young women to help pull the police into matches of video poker to help determine the victim’s fate. Anna (Stefania Rocca) is the cop on the case, dealing with a tortured past as she’s paired with British detective John (Liam Cunningham), an alcoholic who’s determined to stop the madman. The pair try to investigate the situation, but the killer is elusive and eager to keep pressure on the police as more women are taken, with the agony captured on a webcam while Anna and John figure out a way to best the villain, ultimately turning to help from Remo (Silvio Muccino), a 19-year-old gambling ace hired to help defeat the mysterious killer.

The killer in “The Card Game” threatens amputation as he captures his victims in a full panic on his webcam, inviting the cops into a chat room to play games of video poker. It’s not a terrible set-up for a loopy thriller, and the matches are easily the best part of the movie, watching early internet technology in play as Anna and John work with Remo to defeat their opponent. There are clear stakes to the matches, and Argento toys with card reveals and escalation, creating unusual screen tension along the way. If only the entire film was as passably bizarre as these sequences.

The rest of “The Card Player” tries to create an emotional connection between Anna, the daughter of a gambling addict, and John, who’s dealing with his own vices. They begin as gruff partners and graduate to romantic intentions, adding an obvious move to warm up the picture, though characterization remains muddled as motivations for mutual attraction remain hazy at best, requiring a bit more screentime to investigate. And while the feature isn’t very bloody, Argento fixates on lengthy autopsy sequences, following John as he carefully examines the bodies of victims, which the helmer uses to add some grisliness to an otherwise muted endeavor.

The Card Player 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

The image presentation for "The Card Player" is listed as "presented in Dolby Vision HDR and newly scanned and restored from its 35mm original camera negative." The feature uses a lot of darkness to conjure a threatening mood, and blacks are deep throughout the viewing experience, preserving shadowy events and evening activity. Detail is excellent, with textured skin particulars and costuming, especially thicker suits on the cops. Office interiors and living spaces are dimensional, and exteriors preserve locations, maintaining depth. Color stays moody during investigative moments, also offering a nuanced look at autopsy sequences with drained hues. Poker events provide distinct greens and reds. Skin tones are natural. Costuming also supplies sharp primaries. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

The Card Player 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA English language mix leads with very active scoring selections, keeping the electronic sound of "The Card Player" alert with movement and separation, also supplying sharp instrumentation. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, handling heavy accents and sometimes heightened emotional response. Atmospherics are appreciable, working around office bustle and community tours. Sound effects are crisp. Low-end isn't too active, but bass-y music handles with a bit of weight, along with some violent action.

The Card Player 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson.

• "Playing the Game" (26:44, HD) is an interview with actress Stefania Rocca, who learned a thing or two about director Dario Argento from her mother, allowing her young child to watch his violent movies. Rocca was eventually hired to star in "The Card Player," learning to "love" Argento, offering memories of their working relationship and friendship. Characterization is explored, discussing the complexity of playing a police officer, also pushing for more depth to the part to have something to build on. The interviewee offers memories from the shoot, sharing screen time with co-star Liam Cunningham and playing a weird prank on Argento, and cast and crew are assessed. Rocca offers a few stories from the post- production journey of "The Card Player," admitting she prefers the English-language version of the film.

• "Digital Nightmare" (19:10, HD) is an interview with composer Claudio Simonetti, who elected to head in an electronic music direction for "The Card Player," receiving help from actress Stefania Rocca, who carried an interest in the musical genre. The interviewee shares his history with the synthesizer while discussing other career achievements and influences, also reflecting on his relationship with director Dario Argento, which has carried on over many collaborations. Simonetti is also candid about his feelings toward "The Card Player," calling it a "somewhat lackluster film."

• "Like In War" (10:04, HD) is an interview with makeup effects artist Sergio Stivaletti, who elected to do something a little different for an autopsy sequence, creating a human body for the actors to work with. Other creative achievements are highlighted, including the creation of fake flowers and work with a "digital dummy" during a train encounter. The interviewee also reflects on his relationship with director Dario Argento.

• "Sharp Cuts" (20:04, HD) is an interview with editor Walter Fasano, who shares a profound love for director Dario Argento, growing up around his movies, learning to study their rhythms. Initially hired to be an extra on "The Card Player," Fasano found his way to Argento, allowing a chance to make contact, which resulted in the hiring of the young editor. Terrified about this creative collaboration, Fasano found a groove with his idol, becoming brave enough to make changes without the helmer right next to him. The interviewee also provides valuable insight into Argento's intent with "The Card Player," pushing away his past to make something a bit different.

• "Watch Me When I Kill" (17:45, HD) is an interview with director Dario Argento, who used his interest in internet poker and police activity to inspire "The Card Player," making early plans to shoot the movie in Venice before certain production realties inspired a change to Rome. Casting is examined, with Stefania Rocco brought on to the picture when Asia Argento was unavailable, also highlighting time with his daughter, Fiore Argento, who appears in a small role. Inspired by the Dogme 95 filmmaking movement, Argento shares his effort to stay reasonably close to the rules, especially with lighting choices, and he explores musical choices made for the picture.

• "Taking Risks" (8:45, HD) is an interview with screenwriter Franco Ferrini, who was hired by director Dario Argento to flesh out a story based on the exploits of a real-world serial killer. Taking their research to actual casinos, Ferrini and Argento were introduced to the reality of gambling in Venice, which contained no cinematic fantasy elements. A move to Rome was ordered, and the interviewee discusses the shoot there, working with the "realistic bleakness" of the city.

• "A Chip and a Chair" (11:59, HD) is an interview with set designer Antonello Geleng, who reflects on his lengthy career with director Dario Argento, exploring his relationships with cinematographers and the visual experiences that emerged from these collaborations. Lighting is analyzed, as the crew tried to work with little illumination, and various sets are examined.

• "Game Over" (8:31, HD) is an interview with actress Fiore Argento, who describes her hiring for "The Card Player," asked to become even blonder to help her stand out in the dark cinematography. The interviewee shares her observations about director Dario Argento and his growing "maturity" between "Phenomena" and "The Card Player," also pointing out technical achievements in the film and special kindness from co-star Liam Cunningham.

• Archival Behind-the-Scenes Featurette (9:18, SD) provides an interesting look at the making of "The Card Player," watching the cast and crew work on the creation of shots for the picture.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

The Card Player 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Card Dealer" isn't exciting, playing as more of a television movie with a few fixations on female suffering and body cavity exploration to break the generic quality of the filmmaking. Argento remains low-key with the endeavor, trying to craft a mystery that's not particularly difficult to solve, also attempting to generate nail-biting suspense with video poker sequences. It doesn't make for a riveting sit, especially for Argento fans, who might expect a bit more enthusiasm from the once mighty helmer.