Vinegar Syndrome

Perfect Strangers

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Edition Type: Limited Edition Slipcover

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This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Earl Kessler Jr.) was limited to 2,500 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.

Johnny, a mafia contract killer, has just completed his latest hit. However, as he’s preparing to leave the scene of the crime, he notices that someone is watching. The witness turns out to be a young child, but Johnny is uncertain as to how much he’s seen - and how much he’ll be able to describe. Proceeding cautiously, he begins a dangerous seduction of the child’s single mother, but soon discovers that his budding affair puts both himself and his new lover in ever increasing danger.

A stylish neo-noir from acclaimed filmmaker Larry Cohen (The Stuff, God Told Me To), PERFECT STRANGERS is set in the neon-tinged grit and squalor of early 80s, working class New York and features a gripping performance from Anne Carlisle (Liquid Sky), along side Brad Rijn (Smithereens) and Stephen Lack (Scanners). Photographed by Paul Glickman (Special Effects) and edited by Armond Leibowitz (Ladybug, Ladybug), Vinegar Syndrome presents this under seen thriller in a new 2K restoration and on Blu-ray for the first time.

directed by: Larry Cohen
starring: Anne Carlisle, Brad Rijn, John Woehrle, Matthew Stockley, Stephen Lack, Ann Magnuson
1984 / 91 min / 1.85:1 / English Mono

Additional info:

  • Region A Blu-ray
  • Newly scanned & restored in 2k from its 35mm interpositive
  • “A True Artist” - an interview with actress Anne Carlisle
  • “Shadow in the City” - an archival interview with director Larry Cohen
  • Promotional still gallery
  • Reversible cover artwork
  • SDH English subtitles

Overall rating: 4.211679 / 5 from 137 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Perfect Strangers is a tense neo-noir thriller from Larry Cohen, praised for its great transfer, superb quality, and compelling performances. The film captures the grit of early 80s New York and features a gripping storyline with some of the best scenes in Vinegar Syndrome's releases. However, opinions on the movie itself vary, with some finding it a great classic and others considering it weak.

Summary topics

  • Scenes: 10%
  • Transfer: 12%
  • Thriller: 22%
  • Movie: 18%
  • Quality: 7%

Review topics: [quality, looks, feel, buy, packaging, value, thriller, movie, film, transfer, performances, scenes, characters, release, flick, larry cohen, slipcover, premise, watch, art, melodrama, presentation, title, plot, acting, round, noir, vibe, story, features].

Review highlights

  • "Good transfer and movie, blind buy during the last VS sale."Robert E.
  • "Great transfer and decent but slim features make this a worthwhile purchase, especially if you're a fan of Larry Cohen"Samuel B.
  • "Underrated movie with decent performances and interesting characters."Jacob R.

Reviews

Larry Cohen’s Perfect Strangers (1984)

"Larry Cohen’s Perfect Strangers (1984) is a gritty, slow-burn neo-noir that trades high-concept horror for a moody, blue-collar character study of a hitman who develops a conscience. While featuring a grounded performance from Anne Carlisle and atmospheric, guerrilla-style cinematography of 1980s New York, the film is hindered by a uneven pace and an unconvincing lead performance by Brad Rijn. Ultimately a minor entry in Cohen’s filmography, it remains a fascinating time capsule for enthusiasts, though it lacks the manic energy of his earlier, more celebrated works"

Bart S. (3/5)

Lovely surprise

"I don't always go in for low-rent thrillers, usually finding the limits of their production too pronounced, but something about this drew me in and I'm glad I took the leap. This has some well-thought-through texture of the women's liberation movement and how that colors the very nature of the genre it's working in, and its modest production values make the lingering threat more pronounced rather than less."

Scott N. (5/5)

Lesser known Larry cohen. Interesting.

"Lesser known Larry cohen. Interesting."

Miles M. (5/5)

This is one helluva slipcover!

"This is one helluva slipcover! Spot gloss on point. The transfer is good, and this film has a wild vibe."

Jason A. (5/5)

Larry Cohen Doing An Erotic Thriller

"This is about a hitman seducing the mother of a child that saw him commit a murder. It is very low brow in a Larry Cohen way but extremely entertaining."

Nathan L. (3/5)

Larry Cohen fun and shimmery thriller

"Still working on building my Larry Cohen collection (whichever label puts out Bone in 4K will have my heart forever). Perfect Strangers is fun but not a favorite of mine of mine, however I love the look of this movie and the way all the highlights shine and shimmer. None of the other movies I’ve seen by him have this appearance"

Bren A. (4/5)

I Really Enjoyed This Movie!

"The slipcover was amazing, as is always the case with anything VS releases! The movie features a really good storyline, has good acting, and kept me engaged throughout! The audio and video were immaculate, which is always the case with the peerless VS restoration process! Thank you, VS, for helping to keep physical media alive and well in this depressing streaming world we live in today."

Paul K. (5/5)

An american pink film

"An american pink film"

Avery E. (5/5)

Solid Thriller: '80s NYC Edition

"Movie: Pretty straightforward thriller that has extra tension because a child is involved. Extras: A little light. Both interviews are short and even the promo gallery is surprisingly small. However in this case I think I got the extra info I needed. Packaging: Looks really nice, and bonus points as always for reversible cover."

Gideon M. (4/5)

strangers

"so fun, awesome packaging and features!"

Luther T. (3/5)

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