Review: 'Daughters of Darkness' Another 4K Stunner from Blue Underground

Lesbian vampirism was more than a trope in the 1970s, it was a main force in the horror genre. Schlock and sleaze of the highest order were being imported from other countries to the United States, frequently being retitled and attached to more notable films to make a quick buck.

"Daughters of the Darkness" was no exception to the rule, although it has a lot more on its mind than sapphic bloodletting and has frequently been reappraised as more than just a genre oddity. Anchored by an elegiac, mystical performance by Delphine Seyrig, Harry K�mel's gothic drama is frequently mesmerizing even when ideas take a backseat to bold, luxurious imagery.

"Daughters of Darkness" has received the ultimate home video treatment from Blue Underground with a new 4K restoration from the long-lost original 35mm camera negative. The 4K UHD presentation sets another benchmark for the format, which isn't surprising given that BU's previous 4K releases have been nothing short of stunning. They've proven once again that even these confounding oddities of the horror genre deserve the same stage as studio blockbusters, and thank bloody hell for that.

A troubled newlywed couple – Stefan (John Karlen) and Valeria (Danielle Ouimet) – find themselves forced into a game of bloodlust and sexual desire when they meet the alluring Elizabeth Bathory (Delphine Seyrig) on their honeymoon in Belgium. Elizabeth's current lover, Ilona (Andrea Rau), grows jealous of her partner's attention to the couple and decides to act. What happens next shocked arthouse and grindhouse audiences across the world upon initial release.

When it comes to weird gothic mood pieces like "Daughters of Darkness," I'm always drawn to just how well designed the production is. Even though this was on the cheaper end, K�mel fills his frames with information, playing with shadows, reflections, and bold colors in ways that actually serve what's happening on screen. And what better actress to do a riff on the timeless Countess Bathory story than Delphine Seyrig, whose work in films like "Last Year at Marienbad" actually seem to inform her performance here. As dangerous of a presence she gives off, her psychosexual games allure because of the weightless and entrancing qualities she gives to the role.

If you're wondering what movies may have informed other sex-filled vampire films like "The Hunger" and "Only Lovers Left Alive," you need only look at "Daughters of Darkness." In a way, Harry K�mel both embraced and sidestepped popular horror conventions of the time to create something sumptuous, violent, and wholly engaging. Blue Underground has carried over the already terrific featurettes from their previous Blu-ray of this film, while adding a new audio commentary with Kat Ellinger, author of "Devil's Advocates: Daughters of Darkness." This is another definitive release of a genre film and further cements BU as one of the best companies working right now in film restoration and home entertainment.

Other special features include:

� Locations of Darkness - Interviews with Co-Writer/Director Harry K�mel and Co-Writer/Co-Producer Pierre Drouot
� Playing the Victim - Interview with Star Danielle Ouimet
� Daughter of Darkness - Interview with Star Andrea Rau
� Theatrical Trailers
� Radio Spots
� Alternate U.S. Main Titles
� Poster & Still Gallery
� "Daughters of Darkness" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by Francois de Roubaix
� Collectible Booklet with a new essay by Michael Gingold

"Daughters of Darkness" is now available in a limited 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray and CD edition from Blue Underground.