movie world

Gingerly treading that fine line between "cult classic" and "complete shite", Abel Ferrara's The Addiction is a vampire movie that purports to be something a lot deeper. Those looking for blood-letting won't be disappointed, but, with a script that spouts quotes from Nietzche, and a sombre, documentary tone throughout, any screams emitted from the auditorium will probably be for the wrong reasons.

When New York philosophy student Kathleen Conklin (Lili Taylor) is dragged off the street down a dark alley and bitten by a strange and alluring woman, she begins to turn into a vampire. Being somewhat predisposed to philosophical contemplation, Kathleen considers her rapidly changing perspectives on the nature of evil, addiction and humanity. Soon, her need for blood begins to consume her life and she realises that her very existence may have to be dedicated to finding her next fix...

The black-and-white imagery gives the film an air of cool detachment which extends to Taylor’s performance. Even before she’s bitten and distanced from the everyday world of New York, she seems closed up inside herself. But while becoming a vampire initially seems liberating, she ultimately has to confront the horror of her own actions.

Director: Abel Ferrara
Cast: Lili Taylor, Christopher Walken, Annabella Sciorra, Edie Falco, Paul Calderon, Fredro Starr, Kathryn Erbe, Michael Imperioli, Jamal Simmons, Robert W. Castle
Country: USA
Genre: Horror, Drama

BD50 | 1080p AVC | 01:22:21 | 38.1 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• Audio Commentary by Abel Ferrara, moderated by critic and biographer Brad Stevens

• Talking With the Vampires (1080i; 30:55). New documentary by Abel Ferrara featuring interviews with actors Lili Taylor and Christopher Walken, composer Joe Delia, and cinematographer Ken Kelsch.

• Interview with Abel Ferrara (1080p; 16:19). Ferrara talks about how powerful a female lead in a film is and also talks about shooting in black and white.

• Appreciation by Brad Stevens (1080p; 8:47) is a really well done (if awfully brief) overview of Ferrara and this film.

• Abel Edits The Addiction (1080i; 8:43). Rare footage, shot on film, of Abel Ferrara working on The Addiction in the editing suite.

• Gallery (1080p)

• Trailer (1080p; 00:36)

• Easter eggs: Highlight the interview with Ferrara and arrow left to play an outtake from the interview (6:16).

DVD9 | PAL 16:9 | 01:18:56 | 6.61 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: Deutsch