Trick 'r Treat
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Synopsis
Dive into the sinister and darkly humorous world of Trick 'r Treat, written and directed by Michael Dougherty. This anthology film communes with the spirits of classic horror portmanteaus like Creepshow and Tales from the Crypt, weaving together four chilling tales, all taking place during the same fateful Halloween night.
Follow the secretive and disturbing life of a high school principal (Dylan Baker) who leads a double life as a ruthless serial killer; the journey of a young girl (Anna Paquin) looking for love who finds something infinitely more macabre; a group of teenagers playing a prank with disastrous consequences; and an old man (Brian Cox) confronted by Sam, a mischievous trick-or-treater with a terrifying secret.
With its interwoven tales of terror and unforgettable characters, Trick 'r Treat has cemented itself as a Halloween essential, paying loving homage to the golden age of horror comics and 80s creature features with a slick modern style sure to send shivers down the spine of any fright fiend. Get ready for the scariest Halloween of your life - and remember, always check your candy!
Picture 9/10
Arrow Video presents Michael Dougherty’s Trick ‘r Treat on 4K UHD in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1, utilizing Dolby Vision and a 2160p/24hz ultra high-definition encode. The presentation is sourced from a new 4K restoration performed by Arrow, scanned from the 35mm original camera negative.
Shout’s previous Blu-ray, sourced from a 2K scan of the interpositive, was already a significant improvement over Warner’s earlier Blu-ray, despite some compression issues. However, Arrow’s 4K restoration surpasses even that, offering a much sharper, cleaner image with a more natural, film-like texture. Fine details, down to individual hairs and the fuzz on Sam’s burlap mask, stand out far more clearly now, while grain is more prominent and rendered well (most of the time) throughout the film, enhancing the overall texture.
HDR and Dolby Vision make a noticeable difference, especially in the darker, moodier sequences and in how fog and lighting are handled. The foggy scenes in the quarry are particularly striking, with the light blending seamlessly through the mist without any visible artifacts. Colors are another highlight, with the vibrant oranges and reds—so central to the film’s autumn aesthetic—popping beautifully. Black levels are mostly excellent, appearing deep and rich while maintaining shadow detail, though a few shots do exhibit a grayer, mushier quality. In these moments, grain can appear noisier and blockier, standing out against the otherwise clean presentation. This may somehow be a limitation of the original photography (Shout's showed similar problems), but it’s a minor distraction in an otherwise stellar transfer.
With no signs of print damage, the film has never looked better. Arrow’s presentation is by far the best the film has received, and a solid upgrade even over Shout’s already commendable release.
Audio 8/10
Arrow includes a DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround soundtrack and a lossless PCM 2.0 stereo option. For this review, I focused on the 5.1 track.
While I didn’t notice a significant difference from previous presentations (others may), the track still impresses. The wide dynamic range is a standout feature, perfectly capturing the eerie quiet of tense moments before exploding into sudden, sharp jump scares that hit with full force. The music swells beautifully when required, enhancing the film's creepy, atmospheric tone without overpowering other aspects.
The surround channels are used subtly but effectively, throwing in subtle ambient effects like rustling leaves or trick-or-treaters scurrying about. However, the mix isn't all that aggressive when it comes to surround use, with most of the audio sticking to the fronts. Dialogue is clear and articulate, focused to the center.
Overall, it’s a solid audio presentation that complements the film’s tonal shifts.
Extras 9/10
Arrow packs this edition of Trick ‘r Treat with a generous assortment of extras, carrying over previously available content while adding a substantial amount of new material. Leading the charge is a brand-new audio commentary featuring director Michael Dougherty alongside Dead Meat podcasters James A. Janisse and Chelsea Rebecca, accompanied by the archival Warner commentary with Dougherty, conceptual artist Breehn Burns, storyboard artist Simeon Wilkins, and composer Douglas Pipes.
The archival track remains a solid production commentary, covering the film’s origins, designs, financing, production, and eventual release, with Dougherty providing most of the insight. However, much of the information is repeated across other features in this set, especially Arrow’s new material. If you only have time for one commentary, the newly recorded track is the way to go. While it delves into the nuts and bolts of the production as well, it also offers a reflective perspective as the film approaches its 20th anniversary (it's only a few years away). Janisse and Rebecca bring a fresh angle to the discussion, steering Dougherty toward topics like specific sequences, influences, and even the unlikely connection to A Christmas Story. Dougherty also touches on the possibility of a sequel, adding an extra layer of interest for fans.
Next are a series of new interviews that Arrow has recorded, which are a mix of reflections and production stories, starting with a fun 9-minute segment with Quinn Lord, who portrayed Sam in the film. Now in his 20s, Lord shares his experience on set and his surprise at the character’s enduring popularity, even mentioning the animatronic Sam decoration now sold by Spirit Halloween. While entertaining, the segment relies heavily on clips from the film, which feels like filler.
The other interviews are more production-focused and include conversations with production designer Mark Freeborn (12 minutes, plus a separate 3-minute tribute to the late Bill Terezakis), director of photography Glen MacPherson (17 minutes), costume designer Trish Keating (15 minutes), and creature designer Patrick Tatopoulos (9 minutes). Each contributor reflects on their role in bringing Dougherty’s vision to life, often highlighting the extensive concept work that initially drew them to the project. MacPherson provides particularly interesting insights into the decision to shoot on film and the challenges that brought when it came to lighting, while Keating delves into the meticulous costume work required to translate Dougherty’s designs.
Arrow also includes a section of archival material, porting over features from Shout! Factory’s Blu-ray release. These include a handful of featurettes featuring Dougherty, Burns, Wilkins, and Pipes. Tales of Folklore and Fright (16 minutes) covers the origins and development of the film, including its original structure and story ideas. Tales of Mischief and Mayhem (19 minutes) focuses on the production process, revealing how each story was filmed individually and emphasizing the practical effects work that Dougherty prioritized, using CGI primarily for cleanup. Sounds of Shock and Superstition (11 minutes) explores Pipes’ approach to the score, while Tales of Dread and Despair (7 minutes) chronicles the film’s journey from festival screenings to its eventual release after being shelved by Warner Bros., who were uncertain how to market it in an era dominated by “torture porn” horror.
From Warner’s Blu-ray, Arrow carries over Dougherty’s 1996 animated short Season’s Greetings, which introduced Sam. The 4-minute film is accompanied by an optional commentary where Dougherty explains the nine-month process of hand-drawing the animation. Warner’s Trick ‘r Treat: The Lore and Legends of Halloween (27 minutes) poses as a history of Halloween, narrated by Brian Cox, but ultimately serves as a production featurette linking the holiday’s origins to its representation in the film. While the historical angle is intriguing, the featurette leans heavily on behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with cast and crew, including producer Bryan Singer.
Additional extras include an FX breakdown of the bus crash sequence, self-playing slideshows of storyboards and behind-the-scenes photos, and a 30-page comic book story titled Monster Mash set in the Trick ‘r Treat universe. Also included are 13 minutes of promotional shorts from the now-defunct FEARnet.com, covering Halloween, Easter, and Christmas themes, as well as Sam O’ Lantern, an animated screensaver featuring a jack-o-lantern over a Halloween backdrop that runs for over an hour. The disc is rounded out with the film’s original trailer.
Arrow’s limited edition packaging also includes six collectible postcards, a double-sided poster (with original and newly commissioned artwork), and a 31-page booklet. The booklet features an essay by Becky Darke analyzing the film’s subversion of anthology horror and its lasting cult status, along with reflections on its near-shelving by Warner Bros.
While a more scholarly addition (perhaps from Kim Newman or another critic) would have been a welcome bonus, Arrow has crafted an impressive set of features that thoroughly explore the film’s production, legacy, and enduring appeal.
Closing
A lovingly assembled set with a superb new 4K presentation, this release is a treat for fans, offering all previously available supplements alongside a wealth of new material.
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