Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Trick or Treat 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 26, 2024

The perceived dangers of heavy metal are turned into horror movie happenings in 1986’s “Trick or Treat,” which uses satanic panic and Parents Music Resource Center concerns to fuel a tale of terror from beyond the grave. Director Charles Martin Smith tries to avoid the usual gore show as found in so many endeavors from the era, going a little deeper into black magic and high school tensions, which gives the effort a bit more depth when it comes to character concerns and motivations. “Trick or Treat” is entertaining, capturing the 1980s metal scene with some accuracy, but it hits pacing issues at times, finding Martin and his screenwriters in no hurry with the picture, making for a slightly sluggish journey into headbanging danger.

Eddie (Marc Price) is a heavy metal kid devoted to his hero, controversial music star Sammi Curr (Tony Fields). Eddie struggles at school, bullied by Tim (Doug Savant) while in love with Leslie (Lisa Orgolini), but his world comes to a halt after learning of Sammi’s death in a hotel fire. Distraught, Eddie’s spirits are lifted by Nuke (Gene Simmons), a radio DJ offering his sad pal the final Sammi Curr record, meant for a Halloween debut. Eddie is obsessed with the recording, soon picking up on hidden messages revealed through backmasking. Getting closer to cracking the code, Eddie finds himself connecting to Sammi, who inspires the adolescent to confront his issues while plotting a return to reality, eager to kill everyone.

“Trick or Treat” spends a substantial amount of time on Eddie’s experience in school. He has a friend in Roger (Glen Morgan), but he’s tormented by Tim, who loves to make his life hell. The intensity of his bullying is vividly depicted by Martin, and Price captures the frustration of the outcast, as Eddie turns to heavy metal to find comfort and community. Early scenes delve into this hallway war (which includes some semi-murderous activity), establishing antagonism, but also tenderness from Leslie, who seems interested in Eddie. It’s an interesting (and accurate) understanding of teenage unrest, giving the first act of “Trick or Treat” unexpected gravity as it processes Eddie’s headspace and his love for Sammi Curr.

The metal god doesn’t actually show up in “Trick or Treat” until the 50-minute mark, but his presence is decently understood. The writing carefully layers in Sammi’s mischief through music, creating a connection to Eddie, who uses backmasking to reveal evil orders, setting things up for madness to come. And yet, a breakout of horror doesn’t really appear for quite some time in the movie, which is largely dedicated to musical influence as Eddie makes a cassette from the album, helping to spread Sammi’s presence almost virally. Shocks are limited in “Trick or Treat,” and Sammi finally arrives to do damage, inspiring a few decent visual effects and moments of intimidation. Helping the cause is Fields, who doesn’t really capture toughness in his performance, but his energetic screen presence is terrific.

Trick or Treat 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Trick or Treat" arrives on UHD, listed as a "4K restoration from the original camera negative mastered in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)." Fans of the feature should be pleased with the presentation, which delivers a decent sense of detail throughout the viewing experience. Textures on costuming and makeup are present, and decorative additions are open for inspection in bedrooms and school areas. Skin particulars are clear. Interiors retain dimension, and exteriors showcase excellent depth. Color is alive, and while metal mood favor cooler hues and deep blacks, music logos and period style provides bright primaries. Orangey fire is also present at times. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory, doing well with shadowy events. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Trick or Treat 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

A 2.0 DTS-HD MA "theatrical mix" is provided for "Trick or Treat," but the set offers an "all new" 5.1 DTS-HD MA track, which is the default choice. The fresh mix adds some power to the world of the film, offering heavier musical additions with clear instrumentation and vocals. Soundtrack cuts and scoring fill out the surrounds at times, joined by sound effects, which play with position and movement. Dialogue exchanges are sharp, securing performance choices. Low-end perks up during stronger percussion beats and moments of violence.

Trick or Treat 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• CD Soundtrack is included.

• Booklet features essays by Michael Gingold, Samm Deighan, Michael Felsher, and newspaper clippings.

• Commentary #1 features director Charles Martin Smith.

• Commentary #2 features writer/producer Michael S. Murphey and writer Rhet Topham.

• Commentary #3 features an "audio conversation" with authors Paul Croupe and Allison Lang.

• "Rock and Shock" (81:16, HD) is a making-of for "Trick or Treat," featuring interviews with director Charles Martin Smith, producer/co-writer Joel Soisson, music supervisor Stephen E. Smith, construction foreman Tom Jones, Jr., assistant set costumer Francine Decoursey, costume designer Jill Ohanneson, special makeup effects artist Everett Burrell, composer Christopher Young, and actors Marc Price, Elise Richards, Glen Morgan, Gene Simmons, and Larry Sprinkle. The atmosphere of the mid-1980s is set, finding the rise of the PMRC largely targeting heavy metal music for satanic messaging, leading to some cultural panic, backmasking fears, and the inspiration to use this tension in horror movies. "Trick or Treat" was born via producer Dino De Laurentiis's desire to release a Halloween picture, and Penelope Spheeris was hired to oversee the endeavor, only to be replaced by Smith, who was hunting for helming opportunities. Smith's control and sensitivity are celebrated, and casting is explored, making use of Price's comfort playing nerds and Simmons is described as a "piece of work." Plenty of reverence is offered to Tony Fields, who "completely embraced the part" of Sammi Curr. Shooting commenced in Wilmington, North Carolina, setting up shop in De Laurentiis's own studios, which was also hosted the making of "King Kong Lives." Special effects are analyzed, focusing on work from Kevin Yagher and the creation of a monster than wasn't used for long in the final cut. Production experiences are shared, as Price had to handle some stunt driving and Smith agreed to make a cameo in the feature's finale, which required the management of many extras and costumes. Musical achievements are dissected, putting the band Fastway in charge of Sammi Curr's sound. Perhaps most interesting is talk of a deleted (or never shot) fantasy sequence involving the main characters in barbarian costuming. The release and cult response to "Trick or Treat" closes out the documentary.

• "In the Spotlight: A Tribute to Tony Fields" (15:07, HD) visits a 2023 gathering of friends and family at Davis Senior High School, where they share stories about the actor. Biographical information is provided, tracking Fields's rise to fame, and more emotional moments arrive when discussing his battle with AIDS and eventual death in 1995.

• EPK (5:09, SD) examines film salesmanship from the initial release of "Trick or Treat," offering a brief overview of this "rock and roll monster movie." Interviews feature cast and crew, including Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simmons.

• Image Gallery (24:28, HD) collects film stills, BTS snaps, lobby cards, marketing art, and publicity shots. It can be viewed with or without an audio interview with photographer Philip V. Caruso.

• "Horror's Hallowed Grounds" (26:32, HD) is an episode of the travelogue show, hosted by Sean Clark, who travels to North Carolina to visit the shooting locations for "Trick or Treat."

• "After Midnight" (3:46, SD) is a music video by Sammi Curr and Fastway.

• Radio Spots (2:00) collects three commercials for "Trick or Treat."

• T.V. Spots (1:08, SD) supply two ads for the film.

• And a Theatrical Trailer #1 (1:55, HD) and Theatrical Trailer #2 (1:31, HD) are included.

Trick or Treat 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Trick or Treat" is well-acted all around (including cameos from Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne), and it tries to reach a peak of insanity at a climatic Halloween dance at Eddie's school. However, that's not the end of the story, which carries on a bit too long with chases and dangerous encounters. Such iffy timing is common in the feature, preventing it from slamming down hard on viewers as Sammi's wrath is unleashed. The picture is a little lumpy, in need of tighter editing, but it remains entertaining and evocative of the era, capturing the strange days of music influences and parental panic.