DEATHSTALKER

DEATHSTALKER

The return of the legendary Corman-era warrior from the VHS glory days of the ’80s

A mercenary warrior with a flexible moral compass, a weakness for beautiful women, and a questionable fondness for leather-and-fur accessories is sent on a quest by a mysterious witch. Along the way, he must save a fantastical realm from a usurping prince, rescue a princess, and maintain his reputation as the ultimate Deathstalker.

Sound familiar? Of course it does. The long-awaited new “Deathstalker” is a reboot of the cult film produced by Roger Corman at the height of the “Conan the Barbarian” craze. In the early ’80s, the original “Deathstalker” was one of the biggest breakout hits of the VHS rental era. Its cover art—featuring the legendary illustration by Boris Vallejo—was proudly displayed in video stores everywhere, stopping many of us in our tracks, jaws on the floor.

The first “Deathstalker” premiered in 1983, starring Rick Hill alongside Barbi Benton and Lana Clarkson. It became a commercial success (by Corman standards: a budget under $500,000 and a total gross of $15 million), spawning three sequels. The second was directed by Jim Wynorski and starred John Terlesky, who replaced Hill in the title role. John Allen Nelson took over for the third installment, while Hill returned for the fourth, joined by Corman’s muse Maria Ford. Over time, the entire series achieved full cult status.

Like the original, the new “Deathstalker” doesn’t take itself too seriously. Steven Kostanski—beloved by festival regulars as the director of “Frankie Freako” and “Psycho Goreman”—infuses the character (played with glorious self-irony by Daniel Bernhardt) with a touch of selfishness, swagger, and just a bit of misogyny. The latter, a hallmark of the original, is now smartly mocked and subverted.

Kostanski takes audiences on a nostalgic, no-holds-barred ride, giving this beloved hero a millennial upgrade packed with humor, spectacular production value, and a score featuring original contributions from Slash himself, who also served as a co-producer—and is a longtime fan of the franchise. Buckle up, settle into the saddle, and get ready: straight from Locarno comes one of the most anticipated premieres of the year.