Nostalgia Kinky

A deliciously twisted cult-classic from director Carlton J. Albright, Luther The Geek (1989) is now available as a special edition Blu-ray from Troma. Shot almost entirely in Illinois, Luther the Geek is a great regional horror film, packed with some traumatically terrific gore effects. Originally released by Troma on DVD, this Blu-ray essentially carries over the contents of Vinegar Syndrome’s 2016 limited HD debut.

Luther the Geek is the sole directorial credit for one and done Albright, who had scored a fairly good hit producing 1980’s The Children. These films remain Albright’s two main cinematic contributions, with another production credit Dreams Come True (1984) being his sole other film. Regardless, both The Children and especially Luther the Geek have aged exceptionally well and I was especially taken with the latter one via Troma’s new Blu-ray.

After witnessing a chicken-head biting session at a local carnival as a child, young teeth-challenged Luther grows up to be a savage serial killer. After serving some time in an institution for his crimes, our balding chick obsessed title-character is released and immediately starts his spree again. Written by Albright, Luther the Geek is mean, and lean at just 80 minutes. With stylistic and thematic nods to works like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the original and Part 2), The Hills Have Eyes (again the original and Part 2) and the eighties Slasher genre in general, Luther the Geek is both an enjoyable and frightening film that wears its low-budget like a badge of honor.

According to the supplements (a combination of Troma vintage originals as well as the Vinegar Syndrome produced extras), Albright helped create his unforgettable sole director’s credit with help from the film department at neighboring University of Idaho. The entire production has an authentically midwestern feel about it, despite the fact that some of the main cast came out of New York.

The cast is in fact amongst the film’s highlights with Edward Terry, Stacy Haiduk and Joan Roth all giving believably strong turns. Terry is terrifying as Luther, clucking and tweaking is way in a horrific performance. The character and film at times even seems to owe aspects to two Italian classics, Joe D’Amato’s Anthropophagus and Lucio Fulci’s The New York Ripper.

Technically, Luther the Geek far exceeds its limited budget with some truly terrific effects on par with some of the best horror films of the late eighties. The gore in this is extremely well-done. Also, for a first time director Albright does quite well for himself, and his film, building real moments of tension throughout.

Luther the Geek has its flaws, notably a sluggish second-half thankfully blown out by a fantastically perverse ending. All in all, I was really caught off guard by this as I wasn’t expecting to find anything all that special and unique. Luther the Geek, for its minor faults, is both.

Troma’s Blu-ray, which I believe features Vinegar Syndrome’s 2K restoration, looks mostly splendid bringing out the fine work by cinematographer David Knox. This new Troma release ports over the director’s commentary track as well as an interview with Albright. VS’s interview with Albright’s son (who plays the young Luther) is listed on the Troma disc menu but for some reason I could not access it. Otherwise, save for the VS slipcover, I think this has the material from that disc for any that missed it. Otherwise, there are brief vintage interviews and some VHS captured outtakes, including Haiduk’s shower scene and some alternate takes of the effects.

A polarizing film, Luther the Geek has both its lovers and haters, with it seems few in between. I thought this was great and it would have been a favorite as a youth had I caught it sooner. Save for some festival and midnight screenings, it doesn’t look like I would have had much of a chance to see this theatrically but I would have worn out a VHS copy. Here is a collection of vintage clippings I found while researching this for any interested.

Troma’s new Blu-ray of Luther the Geek is my personal favorite their recent VS reissues. Save for the interview I couldn’t access, I was very happy with this release and Luther the Geek is a favorite recent personal discover for me. Highly recommended and available at both Troma and MVD, where you can currently snag this Blu for just 14 bucks!.

Jeremy Richey, January 2026