When a group of teenagers inadvertently kill his only son, Ed Harley (Lance Henriksen, Aliens) seeks the powers of a backwoods witch to bring the child back to life. But instead, she invokes “the pumpkinhead” – a monstrously clawed demon which, once reborn, answers only to Ed’s bloodlust. But as the creature wreaks its slow, unspeakable tortures on the teens, Ed confronts a horrifying secret about his connection to the beast – and realizes that he must find a way to stop its deadly mission before he becomes one with the creature forever. Also starring Jeff East (Deadly Blessing), Joel Hoffman (Slumber Party Massacre II) and Kerry Remsen (A Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge), this “atmospheric, moralistic tale” (TV Guide) delivers demonic horror at its blood-drenched best.

For thoughts on Pumpkinhead, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

[youtube https://youtu.be/Y4SNS4G9gKc?si=oy-XNSJu1UKOxhGg&t=3219]

Video Quality

Scream Factory presents Pumpkinhead with an incredible 2160p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio sourced from a new 4K scan of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision/HDR. This film was originally released on Blu-Ray by Scream Factory nearly a decade ago in 2014 which was derived from an older source, and it was released on Blu-Ray again in 2020 with a new 4K remaster. We do not have either of those older releases to compare, but this new release comes with a Blu-Ray derived from the new 4K scan. Even judging the two included sources against one another, the 4K UHD release shows some favorable improvements, so we can only imagine it is a significant step up from the original 2014 source.

The transfer impresses right away thanks to the natural film grain on display that resolves so well with subtle texture in the makeup effects, production design, outfits, and more. This grain never veers into noise as it disperses evenly with nothing ever swarming or spiking. This transfer does a first-rate job of eliminating all signs of print damage for a very clean source. This is coupled with a strong encode which does not experience any dips in quality. This disc plays well with the murky environment when traversing the woods as it delivers a consistent experience. The creature effects work is unbelievably tactile with some elements standing out more than ever in all of its slimy, practical glory. Everything about this transfer just feels bolder and more textured.

The utilization of Dolby Vision allows for a substantial sense of depth in all scenarios. The film features a warmer color palette during the day that radiates nicely, and the hues once darkness falls are striking in a different way. The HDR allows for the black levels to hold up with immense detail and no signs of crush or other artifacts. Highlights never veer into blooming in any lighting condition. This disc captures the nuances of the palette on display which have never looked better. The new presentation translates the look of the film to its most ideal state. Scream Factory has delivered a stellar experience for fans of this one.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 and 5.1 Master Audio track which both deliver a great listening experience. Dialogue comes through with expert clarity even during horrific sequences. The low end of the track comes alive when the moment calls for it with some robust texture. The music sounds excellent without any sign of age-related wear and tear. It sets the mood from the beginning flashback to the present day tragedy. Environmental noises such as the revving of the motorcycle or the struggle of victims come through with a respectable definition. The film delivers an audio experience that maintains its fidelity in every scenario. Scream Factory provided a notable sonic journey for this one. English SDH subtitles are provided for those who want them.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Co-Screenwriter Gary Gerani and Creature & FX Creators Tom Woodruff Jr. and Alec Gillis provide a very thoughtful and insightful commentary track moderated by filmmaker Scott Spiegel in which they reminisce about the production, the mythology of the titular being, the direction of Stan Winston, the performances in the film, technical aspects of the production, the tweaks to the script, and so much more that is fun to take in.

Pumpkinhead Unearthed: A fantastic 64-minute documentary is provided on the making of this film which includes cast and crew interviews that delve into the origins of the story, the casting of the film and the performances, the thematic depths of the characters, the special effects work, the location shooting and production design, the direction of Stan Winston, and much more.

Behind The Scenes: A seven-minute look at some archival footage of the creature being tested out.

Night of the Demon with Richard Weinman: A nearly 17-minute interview with the producer and story co-writer who discusses the evolution of the story from the poem, how the movie was developed, the influence of Stan Winston, the lengthy pre-production period, the moral underpinning of the story, and much more.

The Redemption of Joel with John D’Aquino: A 14-minute interview with the performer who discusses his background in performing, his involvement in the project, the dedication of Lance Henriksen, memorable moments from the set, his work with young actors, and more.

The Boy With The Glasses with Matthew Hurley: A nearly 15-minute interview with the now-adult performer who discusses his career as a young actor, memories of the performers, working with Stan Winston at the effects studio, and more.

Demonic Toys: A five-minute look at some of the sculptures created due to the film.

Remembering The Monster Kid – A Tribute To Stan Winston: A lovely 49-minute love letter to the late Stan Winston from some of the people who worked with him and knew him best.

Still Gallery: A collection of stills and images from the production are provided here.

Theatrical Trailer: The minute-and-a-half trailer is provided here.

Alternate Title: A two-and-a-half-minute version of the opening credits with the title Vengence: The Demon is provided here.

Final Thoughts

Pumpkinhead is a pretty entertaining creature feature tale that slips in some great mythology-building that allows the narrative to have greater thematic stakes than some of its ilk. Lance Henriksen brings something special to the lead role, and you can truly feel the pain he is going through when watching the film. The star of this experience is the tremendous practical effects work that brings the titular creature to life. This one does not get the shine of other ‘80s horror films, but it is worth your time. Scream Factory has provided this one with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that boasts a masterful A/V presentation and a great selection of special features. If you are a fan of the film, this is an easy pickup for you. Recommended

Pumpkinhead (Collector’s Edition) is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray Combo Pack.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Scream Factory has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.