Daniel Bernhardt (left) as Deathstalker. Click to view the trailer. Photograph: Night Visions Distribution
Deathstalker revives a 1983 cult classic for modern audiences.
The film is not aimed to be a reboot of the VHS copy, but its own legacy chapter in a world where a long-haired warrior on a mission faces the most imaginative monsters in a gory setting.
Deathstalker is where The Lord of the Rings meets Mad Max and Bad Taste, with a healthy dose of acquired taste.
Swiss actor Daniel Bernhardt’s career was kickstarted three decades ago by playing a taller Jean-Claude Van Damme clone in Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite.
Despite an abysmal script, multi-blackbelt holder Bernhardt high-kicked the fighting scenes to a respectable level.
In later work, his role as the blond-haired Soldier, one of the toughest bruisers in the masterful Atomic Blonde (2017), raised the bar for extended fight scenes against Charlize Theron in a deliciously blond-versus-blond showdown.
Deathstalker is helmed by Canadian director Steven Kostanski, who’s known in the industry as a master of practical creature effects.
From low-budget gore indies to the artistry and special makeup effects in Hollywood hits like It (2017) and Suicide Squad (2016), Kostanski has created a cult following for updating classic retro films.
Suprisingly, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash’s input is felt beyond his executive-producer credit. A longtime fan of the original, he backed Kostanski’s practical-effects approach and saw the film as a nostalgic new chapter rather than a straight remake. He also helped shape its musical identity, infusing the soundtrack with an adrenaline-shot of stadium-rock energy.
But Deathstalker is not mere sword-and-fantasy slashing and orcs.
Christina Orjalo (Astrid and Lilly Save the World (2022)) as Brisbayne not only adds knife-wielding flair to the action scenes, but also brings a smooth female energy that gives Deathstalker the kick of a shot of fine Scotch.
Beneath the splatter, the film has genuine heart—while also offering a generous supply of the punctured kind.
‘Deathstalker’ premieres in cinemas on July 31.
FILM DETAILS
Title: Deathstalker
Distributor: Night Visions Distribution
Production year: 2025
Running time: 103 minutes
Cast: Daniel Berdhardt, Patton Oswalt, Christina Orjalo, Paul Lazenby, Nicholas Rice, Nina Bergman
Director: Steven Kostanski
Composer: Blitz/Berlin feat. Slash ja Bear McCreary
Screen writer: Steven Kostanski
