Hellmaster (1992)

Decades ago, deranged Professor Jones (John Saxon) concocted a diabolical drug at a rural college called 'The Nietzsche Experiment,' designed to give its users telepathic abilities, but instead turned anyone who took it into violent lunatics. Now, 20 years later, Jones has returned to resume his experiments and avenge himself against those he feels wronged him and his work. Armed with a group of hideously deformed mutant slaves, it's not long before the tranquil college becomes host to vicious violence and carnage.A Detroit shot regional horror movie made at the decline of the direct-to-video era, HELLMASTER was the first feature from cult filmmaker Douglas Schulze (Dark Fields) and co-stars David Emge (Dawn of the Dead). Combining gothic horror and creature-filled narrative trappings with intensely colorful and Argento inspired visuals, courtesy of acclaimed cinematographer Michael Goi (American Horror Story), HELLMASTER was originally titled THEM, but was subsequently re-edited with new footage also added and released straight to video and cable several years after its initial completion. Vinegar Syndrome presents this fascinating slice of creature horror in its original theatrical THEM version for the first time on home video, along with its more commonly seen HELLMASTER recut, newly restored in 4k from its 35mm original negative under supervision from cinematographer Michael Goi.