Available now on 4K UHD from Synapse is Frank Henenlotter’s cult classic Frankenhooker, starring James Lorinz and Patty Mullen. Henenlotter is probably best known for his Basket Case trilogy, but 1988’s Brain Damage and 1990’s Frankenhooker have both earned their own devoted cult followings. The filmmaker has a knack for injecting a very specific brand of weirdness into his films—one that is unmistakably his own.
One of my earliest memories of this sleazy Frankenstein riff is the VHS cover, which featured a streetlight button. Press it, and you could hear the title character not-so-seductively ask, “Want a date?”
Failed medical student Jeffrey Franken (Lorinz) is now a power plant worker and amateur bioelectricity scientist who spends his free time conducting experiments. He is also preparing to marry his fiancée, Elizabeth (Mullen). During her father’s birthday party, Jeffrey presents his soon-to-be father-in-law with a remote-controlled lawnmower. Unfortunately, Elizabeth decides to stand directly in its path while demonstrating how it works.
After Elizabeth is torn apart (off camera), Jeffrey manages to retrieve her head from the scene and preserve it in his laboratory. If he is going to bring her back, however, he is going to need fresh body parts. And where better to find them than New York City?
Jeffrey needs multiple women so he can find the perfect parts to reconstruct his beloved Elizabeth. So naturally, he tracks down a pimp and arranges for a group of prostitutes. Before he has a chance to reconsider his plan, the women discover Jeffrey’s stash of highly volatile narcotics. After taking them, they promptly explode, leaving Jeffrey with a hotel room full of limbs to work with.
In true Frankenstein fashion, the young would-be scientist stitches Elizabeth back together using various body parts and then harnesses the power of electricity to bring her back to life. Once she awakens, however, Elizabeth has an overwhelming desire to make money by “dating men”. Her various body parts apparently remember their previous lives, sending her back into the streets of New York. Jeffrey, naturally, has no choice but to chase her down.
Frankenhooker is such an oddball film. Is it in terrible taste? Absolutely. But that is also a huge part of its charm. Henenlotter embraces the sleaze, absurdity, and dark humor without ever losing sight of the fact that this is supposed to be fun. Mullen is especially memorable once Elizabeth goes into full monster mode, while Lorinz delivers the manic energy the role demands without pushing it too far.
Henenlotter has created a wonderfully twisted piece of cult cinema, and Synapse’s new 4K release gives it the presentation it deserves. The new 2160p transfer with Dolby Vision was created from archival, uncut 35mm vault materials, and Frankenhooker has never looked better. The colors are noticeably more vibrant, particularly during the scenes inside Jeffrey’s laboratory, while the suburban locations benefit from richer greens and more detail in the surrounding trees and foliage.
The release also includes a remastered 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix that sounds crisp and clean. While the improvement may not be dramatic compared to the 2011 Blu-ray, dialogue is noticeably clearer, making for an overall more enjoyable viewing experience.
If you’re a fan of Frankenhooker, Synapse’s 4K UHD release is an easy recommendation. It is a sleazy, bizarre, wonderfully tasteless slice of cult horror, and Henenlotter’s unique brand of madness remains just as entertaining today.
Bonus Features:
- Audio Commentary with Director Frank Henenlotter and Make-Up Effects Designer Gabe Bartalos
- A Salad That Was Once Named Elizabeth – Patty Mullen Featurette
- A Stitch in Time: The Make-Up Effects of Frankenhooker
- Turning Tricks: Jennifer Delora Remembers Frankenhooker
- Jennifer Delora’s Frankenhooker Photo Scrapbook
- Theatrical Trailer
