Roger Corman’s Deathstalker saga began in 1983 with Rick Hill swinging steel in a sleazy, violent Conan the Barbarian cash-in—think Sorceress (1982). It wasn’t as fun as The Barbarians (1987) or as well-received as The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982), but it hit big enough to spawn three sequels. My personal favourite? The charmingly fun, dumb Deathstalker II (1987), where the series went full tongue-in-cheek.
The original was part of an avalanche of ’80s barbarian flicks—Conquest, Beastmaster, Gor, Ator the Fighting Eagle, Barbarian Queen, and even serious outings like Hundra and the original Red Sonja.
Now, Deathstalker is getting a 2025 reboot from Steven Kostanski (Psycho Goreman) starring Daniel Bernhardt. With Corman’s scrappy DNA in its veins, this could actually surprise.
Meanwhile, Red Sonja—based on the comic—is also returning. It’s probably not a remake of the enjoyable Brigitte Nielsen film with Arnold Schwarzenegger (who was basically tricked into starring). This new low-budget take has Matilda Lutz in the lead, and I’m hoping it lands some solid blows, but there more pressure than Deathstalker given the budget of its predecessor.
As for Deathstalker, the official teaser poster felt a bit lacklustre. So, I made my own fan poster—leaning into that pulpy, barbarian grit that hooked me in the first place. It’s the kind of cover that would’ve made you grab the VHS off the rental shelf without even reading the back. Sometimes, you’ve got to put the sword where your heart is.
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