Some films in your life are milestones, for whatever reason, and they have made no cultural impact outside. Jennifer 8 was one of those films. Alongside Silence of the Lambs, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, and Se7en this serial killer thriller was one of the greats at least in my household. I was shocked to learn, recently, that this film made no impact at the box office or with critics when it was released.
It’s a shame because thirty years on, Jennifer 8, remains one of the truly great, under-seen, serial killer thrillers during the heyday of the subgenre. Minor quibbles aside the film stands still as an elevated version of what so many tried to do in the 1990s chasing the shadow of what Jonathan Demme did in 1990.
Part of what differentiates it from other serial killer thrillers is its central conceit of a serial killer who preys on Blind women and the only person who has met the killer is also Blind (Uma Thurman). Though it does have its fair share of clichés from the “serial killer thriller handbook” such as the burnt-out cop John Berlin (Andy Garcia), and his funny older wiser partner Freddy Ross (Lance Henriksen), the various red herrings of subjects, and of course the burgeoning romance between Berlin and his witness Helena.
Though Jennifer 8 does have these bumps in the narrative they’re never distracting, and writer/director Bruce Robinson has created a narrative and characters that belie those clichés it comes off more as archetypes that can be forgiven. It helps that Robinson and cinematographer Conrad Hall create such a visually arresting film that is as playful with light and dark as anything filmed in the era – much of the minor issues can be forgiven.
The biggest surprise and delight in the film is the appearance of John Malkovich as an FBI interrogator. The 15-minute mano-e-mano scene between Malkovich and Garcia reminds one of just how good Garcia was and is. The actors go toe-to-toe in the scene that has each of them acting circles around one another. It’s truly a great standout moment that one will probably replay more than the entirety of the film.
Jennifer 8 is a standout in the serial killer thriller subgenre because of the care and time taken with its characters over the plot and genre machinations one is used to in the genre.
Note: The review is of the original theatrical cut.
The Transfer
The all-new 2023 4K Restoration from the Original Camera Negative is another wonderful release from Scream Factory. Much like their release of Thinner, the transfer is a wonderful representation of the film. The restoration retains the wonderfully dark photography by the legendary cinematographer Conrad Hall. Having seen the film multiple times during its theatrical release the film retains the color reproduction and doesn’t do the shifting to a more modern color palette – which is a huge win for any fans of the film. The image is sharp and beautifully luminous with a wonderful patina of grain that gives the Blu-ray the look of a freshly struck 35mm print. One only needs to watch the rainy garbage dump scene to see just how wonderfully the film has transitioned thanks to this new transfer from Scream. Bravo to the considerably thoughtful work.
The Extras
They include the following;
NEW Two Cuts Of The Film, Including A Never-Before-Seen Alternate Ending
NEW “Is It Dark Yet?” Looking Back At Jennifer 8
NEW Deleted Alternate Ending
Original Theatrical Trailer
Two Cuts Of The Film, Including A Never-Before-Seen Alternate Ending – the ending is the only thing that’s changed in the film. Though the lengths are different. The original theatrical cut is 2:05:18 and the Alternate ending version runs at 2:09:27. The ending and how it’s changed isn’t drastic but it is a case of slight additions that make it maybe not the preferred ending. In the making-of featurette, director Robinson and Andy Garcia discuss the additions (which were a part of the original ending) – also the audience during the test screening process decided the ending. In this reviewer’s opinion, this is the rare case where the theatrical ending is better than the alternate ending. One does not have to take my opinion on the matter, the choice is now yours.
“Is It Dark Yet?” Looking Back at Jennifer 8 (42:38) – this all-new making-of featuring interviews with Writer/Director Bruce Robinson and actors Andy Garcia and Lance Henriksen is a great deep dive look into making this film. Each of the interviewees gives us a look into the making of the film from the inception of the film, getting Scott Rudin’s involvement, the development of the script, the casting (including a wonderful anecdote about how Robinson casts film), the production (including the locations, photography, production design, et. al.), and release. The featurette has some truly wonderful anecdotes about the production including some about Malkovich’s role; Conrad Hall lighting and photographing the film; working with the late Kathy Baker; the various scenes and moments that were cut during the production issues; the test screening process; the alternate ending and much more. The featurette does not hold back about the troubles with the production, post-production, and release of the film.
Deleted Alternate Ending (5:44) – the alternate ending played by itself.
Original Theatrical Trailer (2:22)
The Final Thought
Shout Studios continues to deliver great Blu-Ray special editions, Jennifer 8 is filled with great special features, two cuts of the film, and a great new 4K Restoration. Highest Recommendations!!!
Jennifer 8 makes its debut on Blu-ray with a new 4K Restoration from the Original Camera Negative thanks to Scream Factory.
The Film
Some films in your life are milestones, for whatever reason, and they have made no cultural impact outside. Jennifer 8 was one of those films. Alongside Silence of the Lambs, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, and Se7en this serial killer thriller was one of the greats at least in my household. I was shocked to learn, recently, that this film made no impact at the box office or with critics when it was released.
It’s a shame because thirty years on, Jennifer 8, remains one of the truly great, under-seen, serial killer thrillers during the heyday of the subgenre. Minor quibbles aside the film stands still as an elevated version of what so many tried to do in the 1990s chasing the shadow of what Jonathan Demme did in 1990.
Part of what differentiates it from other serial killer thrillers is its central conceit of a serial killer who preys on Blind women and the only person who has met the killer is also Blind (Uma Thurman). Though it does have its fair share of clichés from the “serial killer thriller handbook” such as the burnt-out cop John Berlin (Andy Garcia), and his funny older wiser partner Freddy Ross (Lance Henriksen), the various red herrings of subjects, and of course the burgeoning romance between Berlin and his witness Helena.
Though Jennifer 8 does have these bumps in the narrative they’re never distracting, and writer/director Bruce Robinson has created a narrative and characters that belie those clichés it comes off more as archetypes that can be forgiven. It helps that Robinson and cinematographer Conrad Hall create such a visually arresting film that is as playful with light and dark as anything filmed in the era – much of the minor issues can be forgiven.
The biggest surprise and delight in the film is the appearance of John Malkovich as an FBI interrogator. The 15-minute mano-e-mano scene between Malkovich and Garcia reminds one of just how good Garcia was and is. The actors go toe-to-toe in the scene that has each of them acting circles around one another. It’s truly a great standout moment that one will probably replay more than the entirety of the film.
Jennifer 8 is a standout in the serial killer thriller subgenre because of the care and time taken with its characters over the plot and genre machinations one is used to in the genre.
Note: The review is of the original theatrical cut.
The Transfer
The all-new 2023 4K Restoration from the Original Camera Negative is another wonderful release from Scream Factory. Much like their release of Thinner, the transfer is a wonderful representation of the film. The restoration retains the wonderfully dark photography by the legendary cinematographer Conrad Hall. Having seen the film multiple times during its theatrical release the film retains the color reproduction and doesn’t do the shifting to a more modern color palette – which is a huge win for any fans of the film. The image is sharp and beautifully luminous with a wonderful patina of grain that gives the Blu-ray the look of a freshly struck 35mm print. One only needs to watch the rainy garbage dump scene to see just how wonderfully the film has transitioned thanks to this new transfer from Scream. Bravo to the considerably thoughtful work.
The Extras
They include the following;
Two Cuts Of The Film, Including A Never-Before-Seen Alternate Ending – the ending is the only thing that’s changed in the film. Though the lengths are different. The original theatrical cut is 2:05:18 and the Alternate ending version runs at 2:09:27. The ending and how it’s changed isn’t drastic but it is a case of slight additions that make it maybe not the preferred ending. In the making-of featurette, director Robinson and Andy Garcia discuss the additions (which were a part of the original ending) – also the audience during the test screening process decided the ending. In this reviewer’s opinion, this is the rare case where the theatrical ending is better than the alternate ending. One does not have to take my opinion on the matter, the choice is now yours.
“Is It Dark Yet?” Looking Back at Jennifer 8 (42:38) – this all-new making-of featuring interviews with Writer/Director Bruce Robinson and actors Andy Garcia and Lance Henriksen is a great deep dive look into making this film. Each of the interviewees gives us a look into the making of the film from the inception of the film, getting Scott Rudin’s involvement, the development of the script, the casting (including a wonderful anecdote about how Robinson casts film), the production (including the locations, photography, production design, et. al.), and release. The featurette has some truly wonderful anecdotes about the production including some about Malkovich’s role; Conrad Hall lighting and photographing the film; working with the late Kathy Baker; the various scenes and moments that were cut during the production issues; the test screening process; the alternate ending and much more. The featurette does not hold back about the troubles with the production, post-production, and release of the film.
Deleted Alternate Ending (5:44) – the alternate ending played by itself.
Original Theatrical Trailer (2:22)
The Final Thought
Shout Studios continues to deliver great Blu-Ray special editions, Jennifer 8 is filled with great special features, two cuts of the film, and a great new 4K Restoration. Highest Recommendations!!!
Scream Factory’s Blu-Ray edition of Jennifer 8 is out now
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