‘There’s Nothing Out There’ Blu-Ray Review – Low-Budget Horror Satire Has Fun With Its Limitations

“The cult classic that satirized the horror genre long before Wes Craven ever convinced you he did it first!” (Cinema Crazed) “There’s Nothing Out There is a horror fan’s wet dream!” Made by then 20 year old writer / director Rolfe Kanefsky, the film is “funny, intelligent, and always, always, always, rewatchable… a blast of goop and boobs from beginning to its loopy finale” (reelreviews.com). Mike is always getting in the way of fun. His obsession with horror movies and their rules dictates that no matter where he goes, he can’t help but expect to find a monster lurking around every corner. But this time, his paranoia might be justified…

For thoughts on There’s Nothing Out There, please check out our discussions on The Video Attic:

[youtube https://youtu.be/S1McjAZp5Gs?si=B5JHWHxs5cLuD3X8&t=3430]

Video Quality

There’s Nothing Out There comes to Blu-Ray with a 1080p transfer that is noted as being a new 2023 2K restoration courtesy of Ronin Flix. This film was first released on Blu-Ray in 2019 courtesy of Vinegar Syndrome, and, while we don’t have that disc, by all accounts it was a very pleasing release. We can only judge this presentation on its own merits, and it looks terrific. This may have been a budget-conscious production, but the natural film grain gives it a rich quality that allows it to likely look even better than it did during its initial release. Instances of nicks and scratches have been cleaned up lovingly for a clear viewing experience, and any softness seems to date back to the nature of the source. 

Colors are especially nice and vibrant during the daytime portions of the film, and the hues retain some nuance in the shadows. Black levels could be a bit more defined, but they provide some amount of depth. The transfer exhibits some favorable detail, although some shots experience fluctuations in density. The most enjoyable visual elements are the facets of the low-rent practical effects, the production design, and the clothing. Ronin Flix seems to have had a good source to utilize, and they have presented it without any hiccups. 

Audio Quality

Ronin Flix brings us this new Blu-Ray with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio stereo track in the original English which presents this as faithfully and clearly as the source will allow. The budget nature of the production undoubtedly transferred into the sound recording in some regard, leaving viewers with a slight feeling of strain. The dialogue sounds slightly hollow in a handful of moments, but it represents the source well without being overshadowed by anything. Environmental effects are distinguished without issue, especially when trying to add weight to more thrilling moments. There are minor moments when the track shows its age, but largely the track holds its own. Optional English (SDH) subtitles are provided on this disc.

Special Features

Disc One

• Audio Commentaries: There are more commentary tracks than you know what to do with in which the participants reflect on making the film, the quick and low-budget nature of the production, the production elements, the special effects, the film’s legacy, and more. With this many tracks, there is some expected overlap but there is a good amount of unique information in each outing.  

• • Audio Commentary #1: Director Rolfe Kanefsky and Cast Members Jeff Dachis and John Carhart

• • Audio Commentary #2: Film Journalists Heidi Honeycutt and Amanda Reyes

• • Audio Commentary #3: 20th Anniversary with Director Rolfe Kanefsky

• • Audio Commentary #4: Director Rolfe Kanefsky, joined by filmmakers Joe Lynch and Jeffrey Reddick

• • Audio Commentary #5: Rolfe Kanefsky, Victor Kanefsky, Craig Peck, Mark Collver, John Kim, Gene Masse, and Alice Glenn

• Opening Sequence Storyboards: A five-minute version of the opening in storyboard form. 

• There’s A Movie Out There – Interview with Writer/Director Rolfe Kanefsky and Editor Victor Kanefsky: A nearly 53-minute interview is provided here between the director and his father in which they explore Rolfe’s personal history that led to There’s Nothing Out There with production details about the creation of that movie. 

• 40 Years Of Cutting – Interview with Editor Victor Kanefsky: A 31-minute interview with the elder Kanefsky conducted by film historian C. Courtney Joyner in which they delve into his career as an editor and his eventual work with his son. 

• Interview with Actor Craig Peck: A nearly 19-minute interview with the actor who plays Mike in which he recounts his history with the project, his disastrous audition, his call to play the character, his struggles during production, and more. 

• Interview with Writer/Director Rolfe Kanefsky: A 36-minute interview with the director in which you get additional insights including a close look at the puppet for the monster in the film. 

• Copycat – Short Film about the Film’s Influence: A nearly 11-minute piece that starts with context from Kanefsky before getting into the short film that explores the similarities between There’s Nothing Out There and Scream, along with the film’s overall influence in the horror genre. 

• Pre-Production Footage and Video Storyboards: A seven-minute selection of raw pre-production footage is provided. 

• Behind-The-Scenes Rehearsal Footage: An 11-minute selection of rehearsal footage is provided. 

• Original Cast Auditions: A 12-minute selection of audition footage is provided. 

• Production Stills Gallery: A selection of behind-the-scenes photos and marketing material is provided. 

• Animation Test Footage and Deleted Shots: A three-and-a-half-minute selection of test footage is provided. 

• Theatrical Trailer: The two-and-a-half-minute trailer is provided 

• Poster: A fold-out poster of the cover art is included in the case. 

Disc Two (Collection of the Director’s Early Films & Shorts)

• Director’s Statement: A brief text statement is provided here to give context to the disc. 

• 1982 – The Hunt (Short) (3:45) (with optional 2023 Director’s Introduction)

• 1982 – Crazed (Short) (2:22) (with optional 2023 Director’s Introduction)

• 1983 – Breaking and Entering (Short) (16:52) (with optional 2023 Director’s Introduction and Director’s Commentary)

• 1983 – Miraculously Fun House (Short) (17:49) (with optional 2023 Director’s Introduction)

• 1984 – Undead (Feature Film) (47:35) (with optional 2023 Director’s Introduction and Director’s Commentary)

• 1986 – Strength In Numbers (Feature Film) (1:49:31) (with optional 2023 Director’s Introduction, Director’s Commentary and Blooper Reel)

• 1987 – Murder In Winter (Feature Film) (1:50:27) (with optional 2023 Director’s Introduction)

• 1988 – Peek-A-Boo (Short) (6:09) (with optional 2023 Director’s Introduction)

• 1988 – Just Listen (Short) (14:38) (with optional 2023 Director’s Introduction)

• 2006 – Mood Boobs (Short) (19:37) (with optional 2023 Director’s Introduction and Behind-The-Scenes Piece)

Final Thoughts

There’s Nothing Out There is a low-budget horror affair that has fun with its limitations. The self-aware humor that would become more prevalent later in the decade is utilized well to complement the scrappy nature of this alien creature tale. The special effects are so quaint that they are endearing, and the sexuality is in line with the time period without veering over into pure exploitation territory. It is not a cinematic masterpiece, but it is enjoyable and successful in what it sets out to do. Ronin Flix has delivered a new Blu-Ray which sports a fetching A/V presentation, some terrific supplements, and some nice packaging. If you are a fan of the film, you will be pleased to see it treated right. Recommended 

There’s Nothing Out There is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.

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

Disclaimer: Ronin Flix 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.