The Infernal Rapist – Vinegar Syndrome (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Mexico, 1988
Directors: Damián Acosta Esparza, José Medina
Writers: Cristóbal Martell, Ulises Pérez Aguirre
Cast: Noé Murayama, Princesa Lea, Ana Luisa Peluffo, Marisol Cervantes, Manuel 'Flaco' Ibáñez, Arturo Mason, Juan Moro, Fidel Abrego

Release Date: January 31st, 2023
Approximate Running Time: 83 Minutes 55 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Spanish
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $42.98

"Carlos, a serial rapist known as "El Gato", is strapped to an electric chair and executed for his vicious crimes. But, before crossing over into the afterlife, Carlos is visited by a Satanic spirit in the form of a beautiful woman, who makes him an offer that he cannot pass up. After literally making a deal with the devil, Carlos is brought back to life and allowed to continue his drug-fueled spree of rape and murder in order to appease his new Satanic ruler. However, the police are hot on his trail after they discover that this new wave of killings seem to be linked to "El Gato" thanks in part to the signature Carlos is required to leave behind at each murder scene: a 666 carved into the victim's body." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative."

The Infernal Rapist on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 23.1 GB

Feature: 21 GB

The source used for this transfer is in excellent condition; any flaws at the source are minor. Flesh tones and colors look correct, the image looks crisp, and black levels and compression are strong. Also, grain remains intact, albeit heavier in some scenes.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Spanish with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, things are satisfactory.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an interview with actor Juan Moro (4 minutes 23 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles), an interview with actor Fidel Abrego (5 minutes 7 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles), an interview with actor Arturo Mason (6 minutes 16 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles), an audio essay by author and film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (18 minutes 18 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, and an spot gloss slipcover limited to 5,000 units.

Summary:

Based solely on its premise, The Infernal Rapist is ripe with exploitation cinema possibilities. The narrative revolves around a drug-addicted rapist who, while on the verge of death, makes a Faustian bargain with the devil. What the plot lacks, it more than makes up for with an abundance of WTF moments. None more so than the finale, which somehow outdoes everything that came before it.

From a production standpoint, The Infernal Rapist is definitely working on an anemic budget. And yet, somehow, it is a film that often exceeds its budgetary limitations. The acting is best described as serviceable. with the most memorable performance being Noé Murayama in the role of the protagonist, Carlos "El Gato." There is an ample amount of nudity and some softcore fondling. The primitive special effects call attention to themselves. The moments of carnage are brutal, and the in-your-face rape scenes are not for the faint of heart. Ultimately, The Infernal Rapist is a gutter exploitation film that more than lives up to its name.

The Infernal Rapist gets a solid release from Vinegar Syndrome that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and an excellent audio essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.

Written by Michael Den Boer