Nightbreed (1990) Limited Edition 4K UHD Review

5 stars, a glorious restoration of a horror classic.

Nightbreed is written and directed by renowned horror author Clive Barker (Hellraiser, Candyman), based on his novella, Cabal. It was originally released in 1990 and is presented here on 4K UHD with a host of special features courtesy of Arrow Video. This release includes both the theatrical cut and the radically different director’s cut. It is available to own on Limited Edition 4K UHD from 25th May 2026.

“Midian is where the monsters live. And you came to die.”

Aaron Boone (Craig Sheffer – A River Runs Through It, The Program) is a troubled man who has been under the care of psychiatrist Philip Decker (David Cronenberg – Videodrome (Director), Naked Lunch (Director)). He believes he is improving, however he still has bad dreams, where he is dead and underground in a place called Midian, a city populated by monsters.

He is planning to get away from it all with his girlfriend Lori (Anne Bobby – The Hanover House, Beautiful Girls), however their plans are ruined when he is called in to see Decker. There have been murders he is told, very similar in nature to those he described during his early sessions.

Confused and believing himself to be a monster, he heads out in search of Midian. Not realising he is being manipulated by Decker, he sets in motion a chain of events which will have dire consequences, not just for himself but for the inhabitants of Midian.

“To be able to fly, to be smoke, or a wolf? To know the night and live in it forever? That’s not so bad. You call us ‘monsters,’ but when you dream, you dream of flying, and changing, and living without death. You envy us.”

Nightbreed is unmistakably Clive Barker, populated with strange and fantastic creatures. The members of the Breed are unforgettable, Narcisse (Hugh Ross – Dorian Gray), Peloquin (Oliver Parker – An Ideal Husband), Rachel (Catherine Chevalier – Grange Hill) and Lylesberg (Doug Bradley – Hellraiser, The Cottage) among many others.

The original film suffered from quite severe and brutal editing from the studio, resulting in a theatrical release which bore little resemblance to Clive Barker’s vision for his story. This release includes the director’s cut, which is 20 minutes longer than the original, but includes over 40 minutes of new footage, completely changing the feel of the film.

Nightbreed has well and truly stood the test of time and remains every bit as scary today as it was in the nineties. The 4K treatment has really enhanced all the incredible practical effects, bringing this beloved classic into its own. With a new feature length documentary as well as new commentaries included too, this is a great package, a must own for horror fans and well worth adding to your collection.

“You found your way back here for the same reason I did. We belong here. There’s no place else on Earth that would take us in.”

Nightbreed is available to own now on Limited Edition 4K UHD

2-DISC 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

4K restorations of both the Theatrical Cut and Director’s Cut
4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray™ presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of both cuts
Original lossless 2.0 stereo audio and optional DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio for both cuts
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for both cuts
Reversible sleeve feature original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx
Perfect-bound collectors’ booklet featuring writing on the film by Mark Salisbury, co-author of Clive Barker’s Nightbreed: The Making of the Film, and Barker archivists Phil and Sarah Stokes
Double-sided fold-out poster featuring newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

DISC 1 – THEATRICAL CUT

Audio commentary by critics Adrian J. Smith and David Flint
Vintage introduction by writer/director Clive Barker
Monsters, Maniacs and Midian: The Making of Nightbreed, a brand new feature-length documentary incorporating never-before-seen interviews and behind-the-scenes footage shot on location at Pinewood Studios for an Electronic Press Kit in 1989
Memories of Midian, an interview with actor Nicholas Vince
Walking the Line Between Heaven and Hell, an interview with critic Kat Ellinger
Speaking up for the Monsters, an interview with critic Kim Newman
Deleted and alternate scenes
Extended torture scene
Theatrical trailers and TV spots
Extensive image galleries, including early sketches, set photos, poster and pre-production art, stills from the UK launch party at Tower Records, and more
Original screenplay

DISC 2 – DIRECTOR’S CUT

Introduction by Barker and restoration producer Mark Alan Miller
Audio commentary by Barker and Miller
Brand new audio commentary by critics Kim Newman and Stephen Jones, and Barker collaborator Peter Atkins
Brand new audio commentary by Miller and director’s cut editor Andrew Furtado
Tribes of the Moon: Making Nightbreed, an extensive documentary on the making of the film, featuring actors Craig Sheffer, Doug Bradley, Anne Bobby and many more
Making Monsters, a documentary on the film’s creature designs, featuring special makeup designer Bob Keen
Fire! Fights! Stunts!, an interview with second unit director Andy Armstrong
Cutting Compromise, an interview with editor Mark Goldblatt
The Painted Landscape, an exploration of the work of concept artist Ralph McQuarrie
Monster Prosthetics Masterclass, an interview with Keen on the film’s incredible prosthetic effects
Matte painting tests
Makeup tests
An exploration of the film’s abandoned stop motion animation tests, with special makeup designer Bob Keen
Rehearsal test
“Johnny Get Angry” music video

Director	Clive Barker
Author	Clive Barker
Genre	Horror
Starring	Craig Sheffer, David Kronenberg, Anne Bobby, Doug Bradley

Category: 4K, film, Limited Edition, Review