Dust off Your VCR: This Movie Is a Love Letter to Cheesy '80s Sword & Sorcery Flicks

Thanks to streaming services, we experience a VHS revival era when nostalgia for cheap, heartfelt movies of the past becomes trendy.

Now, Deathstalker, a new version of the cult 1983 fantasy flick, has arrived on digital platforms. Created by true fan and special effects master Steven Kostanski, this movie is a conscious and loving immersion into the aesthetics of '80s fantasy.

What Is 'Deathstalker' About?

Chaos reigns in the Kingdom of Abraxeon. Demonic Dreadites are slaughtering entire villages, and marauders are plaguing the roads. Amidst this chaos, a mysterious warrior nicknamed Deathstalker emerges.

He is no heroic liberator, but rather a cynical mercenary who dispatches monsters with ease and his main goal is to hunt down his prey.

After accidentally acquiring a powerful cursed amulet, Deathstalker becomes a target for all the kingdom's mercenaries. The unwitting mission of saving the world from an ancient evil falls upon his shoulders.

'Deathstalker' Is a Love Letter to Low-Budget VHS Fantasy Flicks From the '80s

Kostanski's film is an ode to a forgotten subgenre that was the opposite of pretentious high fantasy. While heroes like Frodo Baggins decided the fate of worlds in The Lord of the Rings, unassuming heroes like Deathstalker simply did their job.

Kostanski deliberately recreates this aesthetic by relying on practical special effects, rubber monsters, and copious amounts of blood.

This movie doesn't try to be serious – it invites viewers to return to an era when fantasy was simple, bold, and captivating.

'Deathstalker' Is Not High Fantasy – It's a Fun Adventure Perfect to Watch With Friends

Deathstalker shouldn't be judged by the standards of serious cinema. Its plot is simple, and its visuals are intentionally unpretentious. But that's precisely its charm – Deathstalker is the perfect flick for a casual evening with friends.

The creators generously sprinkled in references to genre classics, including the pig-headed brute from the original and the main theme, which was reworked for the movie by Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash.

Veteran actor Daniel Bernhardt plays the lead role of Deathstalker and despite his advanced age, he displays impressive physicality and is far more compelling than many younger stars.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Deathstalker'?

• Deathstalker has 86% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.0/10.

• On Letterboxd, Deathstalker scored 3.4/5.0

Where to Watch 'Deathstalker'?

Deathstalker is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.