Guillermo del Toro’s acclaimed 2021 neo-noir psychological thriller, Nightmare Alley, has officially secured its place in the Criterion Collection, as part of the distributor’s October home video releases. This film, which received Academy Award nominations, showcases an impressive ensemble cast including Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, and more.
Nightmare Alley, based on William Lindsay Gresham’s 1946 novel, follows the journey of a drifter who finds work in a carnival during the late 1930s, where he delves into the world of mentalism—an art form that plays with concepts of telepathy and hypnosis. The film’s captivating narrative and rich character developments make it a notable entry in contemporary cinema.
The Criterion Collection edition will feature a director-approved 4K UHD and Blu-ray special edition that includes an extended black-and-white version titled Vision in Darkness and Light, which was previously shown in limited theaters. This new release will join the legacy of Edmund Goulding’s 1947 adaptation, also included in the Criterion lineup.
Fans can look forward to the release on October 28, and it promises to be a visually stunning experience for both new viewers and long-time fans of del Toro’s work. For those interested, pre-orders are available now, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in the intricate world del Toro has crafted.
Overall, this release not only highlights del Toro’s creative vision but also serves as an opportunity to revisit a thought-provoking tale that resonates with current themes of illusion and morality.