Disc Reviews
The Addiction 4K Review
Anyone not overly familiar with American film director Abel Ferrara should look his profile up on Rotten Tomatoes and prepare to be astounded by the list of films and the average score rating that they have. A true independent spirit, Ferarra hit the scene during the schlock 80s cinema, but truly hit his stride in the 90s which is where the film The Addiction lies comfortably. It’s a tale of a girl (the always amazing Lilli Taylor) who is assaulted on the streets of New York one night by a woman who bites her. Soon after this attack, she starts to take on behaviour very much attributed to both Vampirism and drug addiction.
Drug addiction is the most obvious subtext in this film. And whilst the cast are wonderful, the city itself plays an important character. Ferrara’s use of black and white cinematography really brings every scene to life through the use of the architecture, the lights and most importantly, the shadows.
Ferrara delivers a commentary, moderated by critic and biographer Brad Stevens, who also delivers a separate interview himself amongst the extra material.
There is a 30-minute documentary directed by Ferrara back in 2018. The first thing you learn is that New Yorkers like to say “you know” five times in every sentence. It’s a fascinating piece and a lot of key players show up for it. It also means all the more that Ferrara himself is doing the interviewing.
It’s a decent set and hopefully not the last time Arrow video will supply us with a Ferrara release.
Steven Hurst
LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
• Brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative by Arrow Films
• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray™ presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10/compatible)
• Optional lossless 5.1 and 2.0 soundtracks
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary by director Abel Ferrara, moderated by critic and biographer Brad Stevens
• Talking with the Vampires, a 2018 documentary about the film, featuring actors Christopher Walken and Lili Taylor, composer Joe Delia, cinematographer Ken Kelsch, and Ferrara himself
• 2018 interview with Abel Ferrara
• 2018 interview with Brad Stevens
• Abel Ferrara Edits The Addiction, an archival piece from the time of production
• Original trailer
• Image gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by critic Michael Ewins and an archival interview with Ferrara by Paul Duane
The Addiction 4K is out now