Vampire's Kiss 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		2.0

Vampire's Kiss 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman July 19, 2026

It might be joked that Nicolas Cage is kind of a "4K UHD" actor in that everything is "turned up to 11" in whatever the performance corollary to 4K resolution and HDR might be. In that case, then, maybe the deficits of Vampire's Kiss will be more understandable in this new 4K upgrade from Radiance Films' Transmission imprint. The film has already had a couple of 1080 releases in Region A, one of which was at one point fetching insane amounts of money online, though that seems to have abated in light of a recent reprint (or at least new availability).

As mentioned above, Vampire's Kiss has had previous Region A releases on 1080 disc, including a Shout! Factory double feature of Vampire's Kiss and High Spirits (the aforementioned title that at least for a while was astronomically priced) and a later release from MVD Visual's MVD Rewind imprint. My thoughts on both of those releases are available on the review tab of the links I've provided.

Vampire's Kiss 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc in this package.

Vampire's Kiss is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Radiance Films' Transmission imprint with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. An AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the same aspect ratio is also included. Radiance sent check discs for purposes of this review and so I'm not privy to any verbiage in an insert booklet, but Radiance's website mentions a "brand new 4K restoration from original 35mm camera negative presented in Dolby Vision HDR". I was actually generally well pleased with both the Shout! Factory and MVD Rewind releases, but even a cursory comparison of screenshots will show how much the color timing in particular has been improved with this new release. It's always hard to define "accurate" when there's no baseline of comparison, as was the case with the Shout! Factory release at least, but it is apparent now that both of the previous 1080 release were skewed toward yellows, something that actually ends up giving a somewhat greenish tint to both backgrounds and even flesh tones at times. This new presentation is a bit darker (in both 1080 and 4K), something that may add to at least the perception of increased suffusion, but the biggest change is a much better looking general color temperature that has more natural looking flesh tones and just a generally more healthy appearance. The HDR / Dolby Vision grades add some particular "oomph" to reds, but give a nice luster to the entire palette. Detail levels aren't hugely improved, though there are arguably some upticks in things like some of the patterned dresses some of the female characters wear. Grain can be quite heavy and yellowish itself, as was the case with the previous editions. I personally preferred the look of the grain in SDR and 1080, but of course individual mileage may vary.

Vampire's Kiss 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This release sports DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 audio, like the Shout! Factory release (the MVD release had LPCM 2.0 audio). I frankly noticed no discernable difference in this track when stacked up against the previously available options. Colin Towns' score, sound effects and the maybe more than occasionally risible dialogue are all presented without any issues. Optional English subtitles are available.

Vampire's Kiss 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K Disc

• Audio Commentaries

Audio Commentary by Robert Bierman and Nicolas Cage




Audio Commentary by Kim Newman and Nick de Semlyen

1080 Disc

• Audio Commentaries

Audio Commentary by Robert Bierman and Nicolas Cage




Audio Commentary by Kim Newman and Nick de Semlyen

• Robert Bierman (HD; 1:05:57) is a 2026 interview with the director.


• Joseph Minion (HD; 18:05) is a 2026 audio interview with the screenwriter.


• Colin Towns (HD; 16:52) is a 2026 interview with the composer.


• The Dumb Waiter (HD; 17:37) is a short by Bierman that was used as a double feature with the Langella Dracula in the UK.

Play with Robert Bierman Intro (HD; 11:45) offers some prefatory comments.

• Trailer (HD; 2:09)


• Behind the Scenes Gallery (HD)

Radiance sent check discs for purposes of this review, but their website has a list of packaging extras.

Vampire's Kiss 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There evidently is an audience for this film based on the success of prior releases, and for those jonesin' to see Cage at his most hyperbolic in the glories of 4K and HDR, here's your chance. Technical merits are solid and Radiance has aggregated some really appealing new supplements, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.