A Dark Comedy That’s As Twisted As It Is Brilliant

Read Time:5 Minute, 22 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Delicatessen [LE 3-Disc 4K UHD + Booklet w/Exclusive Slipcover]
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Genre: Satire, Comedy, Crime
Year Released: 1991, Severin Films 4K 2025
Runtime: 1h 40m
Director(s): Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Writer(s): Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro, Gilles Adrien
Cast: Dominique Pinon, Marie-Laure Dougnac, Jean-Claude Dreyfus, Karin Viard, Ticky Holgado, Pascal Benezech, Edith Ker, Rufus, Jacques Mathou, Chick Ortega
Where To Watch: available March 25, 2025, order your copy here: www.severinfilms.com

RAVING REVIEW: Rarely has a dystopian world been presented with such a wicked sense of humor. This film plunges into a surreal nightmare where desperation breeds absurdity, and every frame bursts with creativity. Mixing a dark tone of comedy, horror, and romance with an offbeat energy, it constructs a bizarre yet captivating universe that refuses to adhere to conventions.

The film's muted gold and rust-tinged hues create an atmosphere that is both inviting and ominous. The cinematography does more than set the tone; it pulls viewers deeper into the decayed world where survival is the only currency. The set design is as much a core element as the people who inhabit it, with every corner cluttered with peculiar details that enhance the sense of impending doom. The film embraces a heightened aesthetic, creating a reality that feels one step removed from our own while remaining disturbingly plausible.

The story centers on Louison, a former circus performer seeking work, who stumbles into a community that hides a terrifying secret. The building’s butcher, who also serves as its de facto ruler, isn’t just supplying meat—he’s ensuring the tenants remain well-fed through some particularly grim means. As Louison unwittingly steps into this dangerous arrangement, he also finds himself forming a connection with Julie, the butcher’s daughter. The two outsiders share a tenderness contrasting the grim absurdity surrounding them, giving the film an emotional core that grounds its more outlandish moments.

Every character in the apartment complex is a spectacle in its own right. From a woman who constructs elaborate contraptions to end her life to a basement dweller tending to a thriving ecosystem of frogs and snails, each tenant brings a new level of eccentricity. Their interactions are heightened, almost theatrical, and the performances lean into a playful horror that makes them feel like exaggerated caricatures of humanity. Yet, raw desperation ties them together beneath their peculiarities, making their bizarre behavior all the more unsettling.

What makes the film particularly striking is how it defies classification. It borrows from silent comedy, dystopian sci-fi, and dark fairy tales, yet it never settles neatly into one category. The meticulous framing, stylized performances, and exaggerated set pieces give it a dreamlike quality, while the subject matter keeps it anchored in something much more real. There’s an undeniable artistry in how the absurd is made so tangible, turning it into something almost poetic.

While contributing to the film’s dreamlike quality, the episodic structure leaves certain subplots feeling underdeveloped. But even in its excess, an undeniable charm keeps the experience engaging. The film’s legacy is cemented by its originality and how well it has aged. It remains just as inventive and intriguing as when it first debuted. And thanks to a stunning 4K restoration from Severin Films, the film looks sharper and richer than ever (especially compared to my old DVD copy.) The restoration brings out the intricate textures of the set design and deepens the shadows, enhancing the film’s already striking use of light and color. The details that may have been lost in previous releases now stand out, making the viewing experience even more immersive.

Beyond the visual improvements, Severin’s release is packed with extras that provide new and deeper insight into the film’s creation and lasting impact. This edition is a must-have for longtime fans and newcomers alike, from behind-the-scenes footage to interviews with the filmmakers. It reminds us that visionary filmmaking deserves to be preserved and appreciated in its best form.

This film stays with you weeks, years, and decades after your first viewing. Its bizarre humor, unsettling atmosphere, and sheer creative ambition make it worth experiencing. It is grotesque, beautiful, ridiculous, and profound, inviting audiences into a world where logic bends but emotions remain deep. A work of art that refuses to be categorized, it’s proof that some of the most memorable films are those that dare to embrace the strange.

Disc 1: 4K UHD (Film + Special Features)
Audio Commentary With Co-Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Trailer

Disc 2: Blu-ray (Film + Special Features)
Audio Commentary With Co-Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Interview With Co-Directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet And Marc Caro
Fine Cooked Meats – The Making Of DELICATESSEN
Copains Comme Cochons – Interview With Co-Director Marc Caro
The Tale Of 'Terry Gilliam Presents DELICATESSEN' – Interview With Terry Gilliam
Trailer

Disc 3: Blu-ray (Special Feature)
Main Course Pieces – A Retrospective
Take Your Pig – Interview With Actor Jean-Claude Dreyfus
Archival Interviews With Cast, Crew And Critics
Jean-Pierre Jeunet Archives
LE BUNKER DE LA DERNIÈRE RAFALE – Short Film By Jean-Pierre Jeunet And Marc Caro
Exclusive Booklet By Claire Donner Of The Miskatonic Institute Of Horror Studies

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[photo courtesy of SEVERIN FILMS]

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