Vinegar Syndrome October 2025 Blu-ray & 4K Releases: Tromeo and Juliet, Ruby, Sleepless, More
Vinegar Syndrome has revealed its October slate, showcasing a diverse lineup of cult cinema, horror favorites, and overlooked gems. Collectors can look forward to six titles: Tromeo and Juliet (1996), Ruby (1977), The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959), Sleepless (2001), Men From the Gutter (1983), and King of the Gypsies (1978).
This announcement follows a busy fall for collectors, coming on the heels of other major updates like the Bizarre Theater Releasing's October 2025 releases and Imprint Films’ November slate, as well as big 4K restorations from Arrow Video including City on Fire and the upcoming Shawscope Volume Four box set.
Tromeo and Juliet 4K Blu-ray
Lloyd Kaufman’s outrageous reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy arrives in a new 4K restoration from its camera negative. Co-written by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy), the film fuses gore, punk energy, and satire into a New Jersey-set Verona. The cast includes scream queen Debbie Rochon, Sean Gunn in his debut, and a cameo by Lemmy from Motörhead.
Technical details and extras:
- Two-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray combo pack
- Dolby Vision HDR presentation
- Four commentary tracks, including Lloyd Kaufman, James Gunn, Sean Gunn, and Frank Reynolds
- New featurettes: The Bard of Barf, The Lasting Love of Tromeo & Juliet, and A Punk Rock Chorus
- Archival interviews, deleted scenes, rehearsal footage, and Kaufman’s set diaries
- 40-page book with essays by Heather Drain, Bill Bria, and Jesse Berberich
Ruby 4K Blu-ray
Curtis Harrington’s supernatural thriller Ruby (1977) makes its 4K world premiere. Starring Piper Laurie, Stuart Whitman, and Roger Davis, the film follows mob vengeance from beyond the grave set against the backdrop of a drive-in theater.
Technical details and extras:
- Two-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray combo pack
- Dolby Vision HDR from a new restoration
- Commentary by David Del Valle and David DeCoteau, plus archival tracks with Harrington and Laurie
- Interviews with Roger Davis and critic Kim Newman
- Alternate TV version and two Sinister Image episodes
- Archival interviews with Harrington
- Theatrical trailer, radio spots, and reversible sleeve
The Man Who Could Cheat Death 4K Blu-ray
Hammer and Paramount’s The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959), directed by Terence Fisher, finally arrives fully uncut. Christopher Lee and Hazel Court headline this Gothic tale of a surgeon seeking immortality through sinister means.
Technical details and extras:
- Two-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray combo pack
- Dolby Vision HDR from the original camera negative
- Includes both “clothed” and “nude” versions
- Commentary by Stephen Jones and Kim Newman
- Video essays on Terence Fisher, Hazel Court, and Hammer horror context
- Alternate censored ending
- 40-page book with essays by Adrian Smith, Jon Dear, and Kieran Foster
Sleepless 4K Blu-ray
Dario Argento’s 2001 return to giallo, Sleepless, stars Max von Sydow as a detective pulled from retirement to solve a new string of brutal murders. Goblin reunited to provide the score, while Sergio Stivaletti delivered practical effects in the grand Italian horror tradition.
Technical details and extras:
- Two-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray combo pack
- Dolby Vision HDR restoration from the negative
- Commentary by Nathaniel Thompson and Troy Howarth
- Interviews with cast members Chiara Caselli, Stefano Dionisi, Roberto Zibetti
- Features on editor Anna Napoli, composer Claudio Simonetti, and effects artist Sergio Stivaletti
- Archival interviews with Argento, Franco Ferrini, and Antonello Geleng
Men From the Gutter Blu-ray
Ngai Choi Lam’s Men From the Gutter (1983), a hard-edged Shaw Brothers crime thriller, has been newly restored in 2K. Mixing Hong Kong crime with Eurocrime grit, it features Michael Miu Kiu Wai, Lo Meng, and Jason Pai Piao.
Technical details and extras:
- New 2K restoration from the original negative
- Commentary by Samm Deighan
- Documentary From the Gutter to the Theater with cast and crew
- Video essay Jason Pai Piao: Hong Kong Cinema’s Chameleonic Tough Guy
- 40-page book with essays by Walter Chaw, Ariel Esteban Cayer, and Keith Allison
King of the Gypsies 4K Blu-ray (Cinématographe)
Frank Pierson’s King of the Gypsies (1978) debuts on 4K Blu-ray through Vinegar Syndrome’s partner label Cinématographe. Starring Eric Roberts in his breakout role, alongside Susan Sarandon, Judd Hirsch, and Sterling Hayden, the film explores generational conflict in New York’s Romani community.
Technical details and extras:
- Two-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray combo pack
- Dolby Vision HDR restoration
- Commentary by Adrian Martin
- New interviews with Eric Roberts and Paul Hirsch
- Archival interview with Frank Pierson
- Essays by Jason Bailey, Caden Mark Gardner, Adam Nayman, and Chris Shields
Wrapping up
The Vinegar Syndrome October releases span punk cinema, possession horror, Hammer Gothic, Italian giallo, Shaw Brothers crime, and 1970s urban drama. Each title arrives with new restorations and generous extras, ensuring collectors have definitive editions of these films. All releases are scheduled for October and are currently open for pre-order at Vinegar Syndrome.
This news comes amid a busy physical media season, with standout announcements such as the Dogma 4K Collector’s Edition from Umbrella, the Perfect Blue deluxe edition, and John Woo classics like The Killer heading to 4K.