Underworld (1985) Limited Edition 4K UHD Review

4 star excellent restoration of pure eighties indulgence.

Underworld was originally released in 1985 and was the result of a collaboration between Clive Barker (Hellraiser, Nightbreed, Candyman) and director George Pavlou (Rawhead Rex), who co-wrote the screenplay. This British sci-fi horror film carries the unmistakable mark of Clive Barker’s imagination.

Following hot on the heels of the excellent remastered release of Nightbreed, his first foray onto the silver screen has enjoyed a 4K restoration and is available to own on Limited Edition 4K UHD from 7th September 2026, courtesy of Arrow Video.

“You’re the best. People never change Roy. They may seem to but deep down, deep down where it counts, they stay the same.”

Reformed criminal Roy Bain (Larry Lamb – Hounded, The Hatton Garden Job) is minding his own business when he is paid a visit by Fluke (Art Malik – True Lies, The Living Daylights) and Darling (Brian Croucher – Last Chancers, 90 Minutes), insisting he attend a meeting with his former boss Motherskill (Steven Berkoff – Octopussy, A Clockwork Orange).

Motherskill has a job for him, his ex girlfriend Nicole (Nicola Cowper – Dangerfield (TV Series), Winter Flight),  has been kidnapped by persons unknown from the local brothel run by Pepperdine (Ingrid Pitt – The Wicker Man, Where Eagles Dare). He pays them a visit and Bianca (Irina Brook – The Fool) points him in the direction of Doctor Savary (Denholm Elliott – The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Holly and the Ivy).

Doctor Savary is into some pretty shady dealing, manufacturing and testing a drug called “White Man”, which has horrifying side effects including nightmares and physical disfiguration. The victims of his experiments live in a place they call Underworld, and led by Nygaard (Paul Bown – The Damned United) are interested in Nicole because she seems to be immune to the side effects. Bain finds himself dragged deep into this strange other world in an attempt to save her.

“Oh, she attracted all kinds. Men who couldn’t live with their dreams, but wanted to visit them occasionally.” 

I found Underworld to be a very enjoyable and very interesting watch. A lifelong fan of Clive Barker, this was one I hadn’t yet managed to see, so thanks to Arrow for giving it the works! While this film received mostly negative reviews including from Clive Barker himself, fans may well find a lot to enjoy in this film.

The seeds of future projects are clear to see here, familiar concepts, writing style, names and ideas leading to some of his great works. The Underworld calls to mind Midian from Nightbreed and the dreamscapes of Imajica seem to begin to take shape here.

It’s unashamedly eighties, with big hair, mad makeup and synth pop soundtrack and despite the amazing cast there are some pretty hammy performances. But while it’s not the best film ever, it has merit as a snapshot of his earlier work and with an excellent conversion as well as a new extended cut of the film, it will certainly happily grace the collections of die hard Clive Barker fans.

“I’m sorry Mr. Bain, I’m a doctor, not a pimp.”

Underworld is available to own now on Limited Edition 4K UHD.

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

• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Heather Vaughan
• Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Daniel Burnett

 

DISC 1 – UNDERWORLD (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless English 2.0 stereo audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary by director George Pavlou, moderated by Stephen Thrower, author of Nightmare USA
• Wild Recrimination, a brand new interview with director of photography Syd Macartney
• Becoming ‘Darling’, a brand new interview with actor Brian Croucher
• No Limits, a brand new interview with long-term collaborator Nicholas Vince discussing his experiences working with, and the enduring legacy of, Clive Barker
• Makeup Tests and Clive Barker Designs
• Storyboards
• US Trailer
• Artwork and Stills
• Image gallery, from the archives of Phil & Sarah Stokes

 

DISC 2 – TRANSMUTATIONS (LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE BLU-RAY)

• High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation (contains standard definition inserts)
• Original lossless English 2.0 stereo audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing