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Directed by Terrence O'Hara, Nico Mastorakis (uncredited)
USA 1989

 

Opening with a brutal double axe murder by an unknown murderer, no one can say Darkroom doesn't start as it means to go on - a tough, gory thriller that's equal parts nail-biting mystery and gruesome slasher. Who is this mad killer, that photographs their victims as they die (horribly, of course) - and what drives them to kill?

Darkroom was produced by Niko Mastorakis, creator of the infamously depraved video nasty Island of Death - and more than lives up to its predecessor. 88 Films are proud to present this lost classic of 80s splatter.

***

Janet has just returned home from college to visit her conservative family at their remote farmhouse, nestled deep in the countryside. What should be a happy reunion is quickly disrupted by the arrival of an unexpected guest: a mystery killer who photographs their unsuspecting victims before murdering them in a variety of brutal ways. As her family and friends are picked off one by one, Janet is forced to fend off the mysterious maniac, all the while uncovering unsettling secrets surrounding her family's violent and perverse past.

Posters

Video Premiere: June 7th, 1989

Reviews                                                                                                       More Reviews                                                                                       DVD Reviews

 

Review: 88 Films - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover

CLICK to order from:

Vinegar Syndrome also released this on Blu-ray back in 2019:

  

Bonus Captures:
Distribution 88 Films - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:25:15.235        
Video

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 32,856,386,795 bytes

Feature: 26,419,236,864 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate Blu-ray:

Audio

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2448 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1561 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1561 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles English (SDH), None
Features Release Information:
Studio: 88 Films

 

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 32,856,386,795 bytes

Feature: 26,419,236,864 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• "Developing Fear" - An Interview with Actor Aarin Teich (10:53)
 • "Exposing the Truth" - An Interview with Actor Jeff Arbaugh (14:04)
 • Original Trailer (2:48)
 • Stills Gallery (2:14)
 • Reversible Sleeve


 Blu-ray Release Date: January 25th, 2021
Transparent Blu-ray Case inside slipcase

Chapters 9

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: 88 Films Blu-ray (January 2021): 88 Films have transferred Terrence O'Hara's Darkroom to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "New 4K Master from the Original 35 mm Camera Negative". It is in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate and looks consistent and clean in 1080P. It looks better than the film might deserve - depth, solid detail and some textures. Really, a strong transfer.

NOTE: We have added 58 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, 88 Films provides the options of two DTS-HD Master (24-bit) tracks - in a 5.1 surround bump and 2.0 channel, in the original English language. It is as competent as the film's video transfer exporting the film's audio effects and score by Jerry Grant (Hired to Kill), carrying depth reasonably well. 88 Films offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The 88 Films Blu-ray offers interviews with actor Aarin Teich - entitled "Developing Fear" lasting 11-minutes and a second with actor Jeff Arbaugh for 1/4 hour entitled "Exposing the Truth". Interesting to see how they have aged. There is an original trailer, stills gallery and he package has a reversible sleeve.

Darkroom sets the stage reasonably well for, yet another, 80's slasher effort. And the acting is surprisingly competent. It's predictably relying less on character development and a tight story replacing that with gruesome murders that go to great pans to disguise the perpetrator. Some aspects of this should be commended but it all starts with the story and this has some weaknesses.  Darkroom is typical but that may hold some nostalgic value for some. 88 Films Blu-ray. delivers yet another solid package only missing out on a commentary. But the film doesn't warrant one. There are certainly enough conventions to keep fans of the genre pleased.

Gary Tooze

 

Menus / Extras

 

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Box Cover

CLICK to order from:

Vinegar Syndrome also released this on Blu-ray back in 2019:

  

Bonus Captures:
Distribution 88 Films - Region FREE - Blu-ray


 


 

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