The early ’90s were the ultimate gateway to cult films. Visiting video stores was still the best way to spend an entire evening. There were very few that would carry the obscure, and I would travel an hour from my home to enter the doors of Thomas Video, which once resided in Royal Oak, MI.
I had books, catalogs, and magazines to use as a reference for films to find. If Thomas Video didn’t have it, I’d turn to the tape-trading community to find rare gems that were never released in the U.S., or on such a limited basis that you just couldn’t find them. Luther the Geek (1989) was one of those titles.
I traded a friend for a copy that I promptly put in my pile, only for it to end up lost in the shuffle. I know the film has been released multiple times over the years, especially after Troma acquired it. Yet again, they’ve put out a new edition on Blu-ray, so now, after all these years, it’s time to peel off the plastic with my teeth and take a bite out of my pile.
As a child, Luther witnesses a carnival “Geek” bite the head off a chicken, awakening his own taste for blood. 30 years later, despite a history of murder, a misguided parole decision sets him free, now armed with grotesque metal teeth. Drifting to a rural farm, Luther begins a new killing spree, preying on an isolated mother and daughter, the daughter’s strange boyfriend, and a hopelessly outmatched local lawman. Told with minimal dialogue, the film relies on eerie silences and Luther’s animalistic clucking to build tension, reimagining the carnival geek myth as a bleak, unsettling rural nightmare.
More than 35 years later, does Luther the Geek live up to all the hype? The short answer is: no and yes. I can see why it has grown a cult following over the years because there’s quite a bit to enjoy, but at the same time, it’s easier to nitpick its shortcomings. It’s not “more terrifying than The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” as it was once heralded in Fangoria, but it does deliver an extremely interesting villain in the form of Luther, as played by Edward Terry.
Terry dives into the character and slays with pure animal instinct. The fact that he just clucks like a chicken the entire time is hilarious, yet somehow frightening. The rest of the cast is equally good, but I didn’t really feel that their characters were developed enough. This film also served as the introduction of actress Stacy Haiduk, who is still steadily working. The film is definitely gory, and the effects work is impressive.
In the pantheon of Troma titles they acquired (not produced themselves), it’s certainly above average. Overall, there are some pacing issues, and with the complexity of the lead character, the story could have been a bit stronger and not just a slasher/home invasion flick.
Related: ‘Re-Animator’ 4K Blu-ray Review: The Definitive Release of Stuart Gordon’s Cult Classic
The special edition Blu-ray has the usual assortment of Troma debauchery as bonus features, along with an introduction from Lloyd Kaufman and the film’s director, Carlton J. Albright, a commentary track, cast and crew interviews, and much more. There are no real surprises in this department; you get what you expect from the legendary company.
Luther the Geek will certainly be a lost gem to those who have never seen it. Despite falling short in a few instances, it really gives the audience an interesting bad guy and plenty of blood to whet the appetite. There’s a reason it’s become a cult classic, and I’m positive the fandom will just continue to grow.
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