NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray (April 2025): Vinegar Syndrome have transferred Lau Hung-Chuen's Devil Fetus (1983) and Her Vengeance (1988) - directed by Lam Nai-Choi - to a double Blu-ray package. The latter has both the Category III and Category IIB versions - not seamlessly-branched. There may be slight differences visually between the two cuts but not enough for this reviewer to make issue over - ex. flesh tones warm. I've added a comparison below. The film are cited as being "Newly color-graded and restored by VS from studio-supplied masters". Visually, Devil Fetus is a product of its low-budget roots, leaning on practical effects - gooey gore, stop-motion critters, and crude laser beams - that charm through ambition rather than polish. The image in 1080P is clean and bright - occasional depth visible. The cinematography is functional, with dim lighting and tight framing amplifying the claustrophobic horror, though it lacks artistry. Scenes like the worm-cake explosion or the glowing-eyed possession are pure exploitation, prioritizing visceral impact over coherence, which defines its cult appeal. Lam Nai-Choi’s direction on Her Vengeance is raw and unflinching, with muted colors and a grimy urban palette that amplify the story’s bleakness. This is picked up adeptly by the HD presentation. The assault is shot with stark brutality - handheld chaos, tight shots of struggle - not to titillate but to horrify. Revenge scenes flip to visceral spectacle: blood sprays, limbs twist, and the bar fight’s frenetic editing recalls Sammo Hung’s action choreography gone rogue. Envision sickly yellows and deep shadows in the cemetery assault or bar brawl. The film artistically throw in both a red tinted scene and a blue one. Technically both are a leap over prior SD editions, balancing fidelity with the films’ rough-hewn origins. Without unrealistic expectations of a more dynamic presentation - fans should be pleased with the consistency.

NOTE: We have added 122 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-rays, Vinegar Syndrome use DTS-HD Master tracks (24-bit.) The soundtrack of Devil Fetus, offers Cantonese, English, and Mandarin mono tracks, a generous nod to accessibility. The Cantonese original delivers clear dialogue and effects, though limited by the era’s single-channel recording. Expect the synth score’s warbling drones and stabs to have decent punch, while squishy gore effects and over-the-top screams dominate the mix. The English DUB - infamous for its campy delivery - sounds tinny and misaligned, a hallmark of the period’s dubbing, but it’s a fun artifact. The Mandarin track offers a similar mono experience, with slight tonal shifts. No major distortion or dropouts mar the audio, though dynamic range will be narrow, typical of the source. A mix of eerie synths and abrupt stings, heightens the campy tone but is reminiscent of classier Tangerine Dream. The synth score’s brooding tones and percussive spikes will have presence, though limited by mono’s flatness. The CAT III version of Her Vengeance offers Cantonese mono, while CAT IIB adds a Mandarin option. The sound effects in Her Vengeance are grounded and visceral, tailored to the film’s brutal realism. The assault scene features harsh, naturalistic sounds - fabric tearing, flesh slapping, guttural grunts, and Ying’s pained cries - mixed with an almost unbearable clarity that heightens the discomfort. The score, moody and understated, avoids melodrama, letting the violence speak. It’s less flashy than Devil Fetus, but the restraint serves the tone. Vinegar Syndrome offer optional English and/or English SDH (varying translations - see below) subtitles on both Region 'A' Blu-rays.

The Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray offers two commentary tracks. For Devil Fetus with film writer, cult and noir champion, Travis Woods. He unpacks the movie’s insanity - production anecdotes, horror influences, and Hong Kong context. He has enthusiasm and niche insights on this solo track.  The commentary track for Her Vengeance is by Bruce Holecheck (Cinema Arcana), Art Ettinger (Ultra Violent Magazine), and Ryan Smith (Dreamhaven Books.) This is on the CAT III version only. They deliver a lively, multi-angle discussion - exploitation history, Lam Nai-Choi’s style, cast and Category III lore among many other topics. All video extras are on the first Blu-ray (housing Devil Fetus.) For that film is “Eagle Blood & Pig Intestines” - a dozen-minute interview with actor Hsu Meng-Kuang’s which has some behind-the-scenes grit - covering stunts, effects, and the animal cruelty controversy. There is a brief "Alternate Shot from Censored Version" which provides a glimpse at what censors cut - a toned-down gore moment - more a curiosity than essential. Included is a promotional image gallery courtesy of Ryan Smith. This slideshow of stills and posters (auto-timed) offers a nostalgic peek at marketing. For Her Vengeance, beyond the trifecta commentary, is a 7-minute John Charles (The Hong Kong Filmography, 1977–1997) video essay entitled “Her Vengeance in Four Cuts” narrated by him, dissecting key scenes or themes (trauma, revenge), blending clips with analysis. It is focused, per his critical pedigree. Running 11-minutes is “Her Vengeance and Category-III Rape Revenge Films”. Samm Deighan’s (Revolution in 35mm: Political Violence and Resistance in Cinema from the Arthouse to the Grindhouse, 1960–1990) video essay offers a scholarly dive into the subgenre - comparisons to I Spit on Your Grave, cultural framing - elevating the disc’s depth. She used clips from Her Vengeance, The Black Tavern , Master of the Flying Guillotine, Nomad (1982,) One Way Only (1981,) Brothers from the Walled City (1982,) Men from the Gutter (1983,) Kiss of Death (1973,) and Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan (1972.) Included is a one-minute alternate “Crime Doesn’t Pay” ending prefaced with this statement "The following scene from Her Vengeance depicts an alternate ending which does not show Ying leave the bar after the climatic ending. It is believed that this was made as a "crime doesn't pay ending" due to strict censorship rules against the glorification of vigilantism. Without Ying leaving the bar, it appears the filmmakers were trying to satisfy the censors by leaving it ambiguous as to Ying's fate after the final fight." It is a tacked-on moral twist for the CAT IIB cut, heavy-handed and brief, but a fun contrast to the bleak original. There are original trailers, reversible sleeve artwork (see below) and 20-page booklet with a John Charles essay delving into production context, cultural impact, and Category III significance - perfect for collectors, with sharp writing based on his prior work. 

Devil Fetus toys with themes of corruption and the fragility of domestic life, as the vase - an object of material desire - unleashes chaos on a well-off family. The supernatural possession mirrors sexual taboo and bodily violation, with the fetus symbolizing an unnatural consequence of unchecked lust or greed. However, these ideas feel half-baked, overshadowed by the film’s relentless push for shock. The Taoist priests and rituals nod to Hong Kong’s folkloric horror tradition, contrasting modernity (the auction, urban setting) with ancient superstition, but it’s more a plot device than a deep commentary. The 'demon' evoked The Oily Maniac. Her Vengeance grapples with justice, bodily autonomy, and the cost of vengeance. Ying’s infection transforms her into a literal and figurative “tainted” avenger, her disease a metaphor for the indelible scars of trauma. The cemetery assault ties violation to death, while Hung’s disability and her sister’s blindness underscore vulnerability and interdependence. Unlike glossier revenge films, there’s no catharsis - vengeance is ugly, hollow, and self-destructive, reflecting a pessimistic worldview. Gender dynamics loom large: Ying’s agency is both empowered and tragic, subverting the damsel trope yet denying her peace. Devil Fetus isn’t “good” by traditional metrics - plot, acting, and production values falter - but it’s a fever dream that thrives on excess. It’s a snapshot of Hong Kong horror’s wild side, best enjoyed by those who savor camp, gore, and the unpolished edges of cult cinema. Her Vengeance is a rough-edged effort - grimmer and more focused than Devil Fetus, with a standout lead and a gut-punch vibe. It’s not flawless, but its emotional rawness and refusal to glorify revenge make it a compelling slice of Hong Kong’s darker cinematic output, ideal for fans of grounded exploitation. The dual versions are a treat - CAT III for the unexpurgated brutality, CAT IIB for added narrative meat and advancement of character development. The Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray is stacked with commentaries, video essays, booklet and more. Take a walk on the wild side with these Hong Kong exploitation flics. If you dig bonkers horror or raw revenge, this an indulgent, if justified, purchase.

Gary Tooze