Get the MovieNight app
Add it to your home screen — faster & full screen
Get the MovieNight app
Add it to your home screen — faster & full screen
BerserkerGang
Hangar 18 Media
Raven Banner Entertainment
Shout! Studios
Not part of a collection.
Evil has many names. Adventure has only one...
A powerful swordsman known as Deathstalker recovers a cursed amulet from a corpse-strewn battlefield. Marked by dark magic and hunted by monstrous assassins, he must face the rising evil and break the curse.
graeaehorror
Feb 20, 2026 · via TMDB
Swords and sandal style fantasy epic features are not my bag. Asides from the childhood nostalgia of catching re-runs of Desmond Davis’ 1981 classic Clash of the Titans, and the horror-tinged madness that was Sam Raimi’s Army of Darkness (1992), there really aren’t any titles that stick in my mind as being enjoyable. So, when I saw the poster for Deathstalker advertised as screening at Black Sunday Film Festival, my instinct told me this was not going to be fun. But oh momma was I wrong! Writer/director Steven Kostanski has created a film for the ages with this reimagining of the 1983 original. Where James Sbardellati opted for a more sleaze ridden affair, targeting an alpha male audience with scantily clad females, gratuitous sex scenes and over the top violence, this latest version embraces the joy held in fantasy filmmaking whilst giving its audience a knowing wink. We follow a powerful swordsman known only as Deathstalker (Daniel Bernhardt), as he recovers a cursed amulet from a corpse strewn battlefield. Unbeknownst to him, the amulet is marked by dark magic, and he’s instantly hunted by various monstrous assassins, intent on reclaiming the power for themselves. Along his journey, Deathstalker unwillingly attracts misfit allies who bring equal parts assistance and roadblocks to his new quest. From the opening scene we’re embraced into this camp and dramatic world as we find our hero mid-battle against various creatures. There’s intense fight choreography, incredible costume design and the gore is just magnificent. Many independent films in the horror genre live and die by the standard of their practical effects. Deathstalker was in the incredibly safe hands of Kostanski, who has an affinity for working alongside the absolute best available to create awe inspiring creature design, impactful bloody scenes and kills that films with larger budgets and major studio backing could only dream of. Add to this some wonderful stop motion animation and puppeteering and you’re off to the races! The tone of Deathstalker is spot on. It embraces fans of fantasy epics past giving them a comforting hug in the form of familiar character arcs, adorable sidekick creatures and adventurous quests. For those who prefer films a little darker, there’s buckets of blood and some notably sinister moments. Then we have the middle ground, where the two sides come together in endless well-written and perfectly timed humorous quips that provide levity and bring us back into the fold. This shouldn’t be surprising as anyone familiar with Kostanski’s previous outing, PG: Psycho Goreman (2020), will know he can write a script that delivers on every level! I’d be remiss not to mention the character names – some of these received audible appreciation and chuckles in the screening at the mere mention. We have Doodad, a goblinesque wizard portrayed by Laurie Field and voiced by Patton Oswalt. There’s Brisbayne (Christina Orjalo), a young and experienced thief who joins their quest. We have the aptly named Nekomemnon (Nicholas Rice), a necromancer and ultimate bag egg. And then my personal favourite Pig-Face (Jon Ambrose). Not content with delivering possibly the best horror/fantasy film to exist in the last 20 years, Kostanski seals the deal with various nods to fan favourites from each genre. We have evil undead creatures known as ‘Dreadites’, and two references to The Neverending Story – a wonderful background moment of two oversized rock creatures fighting, and a hilarious scene where Deathstalker’s white horse refuses to walk through a boggy marshland (emotional trauma anyone?) Of course, no film of this epic scale would be complete without a badass score and this fell to the hands of Canadian composers Blitz//Berlin, whose previous work can be found in Blade Runner 2036: Nexus Dawn, and Jordan Peele’s Scare Tactics. Deathstalker also comes lovingly wrapped in the 80’s metal glory of none other than famed Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, who co-wrote the main theme with Bear McCreary and Chuck Cirino. It’s safe to say Deathstalker is absolutely a film not to be missed. There was not one person who walked away from our screening unsatisfied by the ultimate behemoth of modern independent filmmaking they had just witnessed. I for one am counting the minutes until this is picked up for distribution as will be adding it to my collection faster than you can say roll for initiative!
Chandler Danier
Feb 12, 2026 · via TMDB
Holy shit. The perfect Deathstalker film. I am just amazed by how well the lead handles the situations. I must say, they should hire my buddy to make them some silicon masks because the foam sure seems lifeless on a lead. Some pretty weak little dude effects all around. The thing about practical effects is even if they're bad you get to see the creative decisions they had to make based on budget. If the CGI is bad...you just feel disappointed. Nice to see practical effects. Nice to hear squealing guitars. Nice to see the perfect sword. I find the perfect sword to be the best joke in this film. It's hilarious. Good god, I loved Deathstalker. I can no longer see any of its flaws and I hope they make more of this bullshit.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Philo
AMC Plus Apple TV channel
AMC+ Amazon Channel
AMC+ Roku Premium Channel
YouTube TV
Shudder
Shudder Amazon Channel
Shudder Apple TV channel
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Plex
Daniel Bernhardt
Deathstalker
Christina Orjalo
Brisbayne
Paul Lazenby
Jotak
Patton Oswalt
Doodad (voice)
Nicholas Rice
Nekromemnon
Adam Brooks
Prince Halgan
John Clifford Talbot
Barkeep
Matthew Kennedy
Young Farmer
Ron Tough
Old Farmer
Matthew Ninaber
Despairon / Tall Swamp Man / Rexar / Thundrax
Tanya Saari
Toralva
Jon Ambrose
Pigman
Troy James
Scarabus
Nina Bergman
Grendul
Conor Sweeney
Prince Baldur
Jared Marino
"C" Camera Operator
Paul Lazenby
Stunts
Steven Kostanski
Director
Albin Sallansonnet
Associate Producer
Doug Roos
Associate Producer
Kassy Gascho
Associate Producer
Andrew Thomas Hunt
Executive Producer
James Fler
Executive Producer
Peter Kuplowsky
Executive Producer
Rodrigo Gudiño
Executive Producer
Slash
Executive Producer
Pasha Patriki
Producer
Steven Kostanski
Writer
The VelociPastor 2
Occurrences of Questionable Significance
DCW: THE MOVIE
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Scarface
Doraemon the Movie: Nobita's Art World Tales
Wings of Desire
Edward Scissorhands
Corpse Bride
Blood Diamond
The Bad Guys
The Castle of Cagliostro
Achilles Returns
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Bridge to Terabithia
Kung Fu Panda
Bhairava Dweepam
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Gremlins
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
OSS 117: Lost in Rio
Detective Conan: The Private Eyes' Requiem
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
From Russia with Love
The Great Mouse Detective
The Angry Birds Movie 2
Brave
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
The Golem: How He Came into the World
Ballerina
Ladyhawke
Addams Family Values
Beauty and the Beast
Ocean's Eight
The Fountain
Kamen Rider: THE NEXT
Ghost Island
Highlander
Armageddon
Godzilla 1985
The Mummy
The Tree of Life
Darby O'Gill and the Little People
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Muppets
Kamen Rider: THE FIRST
Northwest Passage
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Jurassic World Dominion
Hanna
DragonHeart
Mad Monster Party?
The Karate Kid
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
Shaft
Speed Racer
The Naked Gun
Meet the Feebles
Night of the Twisters
Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove
William Tell
Wizards
Freaky Friday
Conan the Destroyer
End of Days
The Sentinel
Iron Mask
Willy's Wonderland
Jack the Giant Slayer
Mirror Mirror
The Transporter Refueled
The Cave
Red Sonja
For Y'ur Height Only
Gunan, King of the Barbarians
The VelociPastor
Your Highness
Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Iron Sky: The Coming Race
Eragon
Highlander III: The Sorcerer
Deathstalker
Highlander II: The Quickening
Barbarian Queen
Sorceress
Yor: The Hunter from the Future
Starcrash
Ator, the Fighting Eagle
Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back
Quest for the Mighty Sword
Wizards of the Demon Sword
Zyzak Is King
Song of the Sword
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Fall
The Crow
The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf
Big Trouble in Little China
The Northman
Dragonheart: Vengeance
Highlander
Conan the Barbarian
The Princess
Blade II
Mortal
Dave Made a Maze
Blade of the 47 Ronin
Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms
Vampires
In the Lost Lands
A Knight's War
Sucker Punch
Valhalla Rising
Dr. Strange
Conan the Destroyer
Immortals
Solomon Kane
Mythica: The Iron Crown
Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers - To Live and Die in Starlight
Scorpion King: Book of Souls
Underworld: Blood Wars
Zardoz
Mythica: A Quest for Heroes
Sep 20, 2025
Fantastic Fest
Oct 1, 2025
Beyond Fest
Oct 10, 2025
Feb 17, 2026
© 2025-2026 MovieNight. All rights reserved.
Versus
Sign in to play →
Today I Hang
1942
The PanoptiCon Tapes III
1990
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
Versus
Sign in to play →
Today I Hang
1942
The PanoptiCon Tapes III
1990
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
We use essential cookies to run MovieNight, plus analytics (Google Analytics) and advertising (Google AdSense) cookies. By continuing to browse, you agree to this — or click No and we won't. See our Terms & Privacy Policy to learn more.