Rumpelstiltskin Blu Ray Review (Darkside Releasing)

Rumpelstiltskin is a 2025 horror written, produced, edited, and directed by Andy Edwards (Punch, Cinderella’s Revenge, Zombie Spring Breakers, Grindsploitation, and Graphic Desires). It was executive produced by Thomas R. Atherton (Punch, That Was a Serious Party, Inland, Eve, The Banksy Job, Viking Destiny, and 100 Streets). A miller (played by: Mark Cook from Hippo’s Revenge and The Tooth Fairy) attempts to marry his daughter Evalina (played by: Hannah Baxter-Eve from Attack of the Kraken, Escape, and Eve Groves) off to the powerful King (played by: Colin Malone from Evidence of Evil, The Dry, To The Marrow, and Love Lane United). He promises that she could spin straw into gold. She’s forced to ask for the help of a demonic imp Rumpelstiltskin (played by: Joss Carter from Tarot, Generation Z, Curfew, The Informer, and Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared). She completes the task but the King becomes even more greedy and he demands that she keeps doing it. So she makes a desperate deal with the imp for her firstborn in return for yet additional favors. When it comes time to honor her bargain, she doesn’t want to give up her child. The dark forces merge together when the imp makes a another deal with the demented devil!!!! They haven’t made a horror version of the classic fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin since 1995 but somehow we got two of them in 2025 and this is the better one from those choices. Horror director Andy Edwards goes with own unique approach of the familiar story. I’m not going to lie, the first 20 minutes of this low budget production was a serious chore to experience. I think 10 minutes of those padding scenes should have been edited down because it slows down everything for a little bit. I love and appreciate character development but sometimes it’s just not needed. The beginning of this was beyond boring and I almost considered turning it off which I never do because I have to cover this no matter what. Luckily, Rumpelstiltskin shows up soon after and it gets much better. The lead actress Hannah Baxter-Eve is solid as Evalina. She tries her best to elevate the material. She looks great here and she keeps up with the others in this. Joss Carter does a great job as the iconic Rumpelstiltskin. Traditionally, he always a villain but I think the role is way more entertaining when put into a horror situation. Carter is the reason to give this a shot. He’s creepy and he adds more to this blackmailing demon. The rest of the supporting cast includes Colin Malone, Mark Cook, Jennifer Lim (Hostel), Ayvianna Snow (How to Kill Monsters), Adrian Bouchet (The Last Kingdom), Annabella Rich (Eating Miss Campbell), Chris Mills (A Taste of Phobia), Sarah Jane Duncan (Tales from Davidstown), and Evyn George (Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2). One of the best things about Rumpelstiltskin is the impressive special fx from artist Will Harvey (Gladiator II, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and Supergirl). They spent their money wisely when it came to this department. Most of the people in this are unlikable so it kinda leaves it open that anytime can happen. It’s a decent retelling of this folk horror film but it could have been so much more than what was delivered. The ending is a little sloppy and it doesn’t leave anyone satisfied with it’s abrupt finish. That’s always a bummer but I will say that the 2nd half makes it worth staying for the whole thing. I recommend streaming it before considering a purchase, it’s extremely cheap on Amazon Prime right now if you are curious. I prefer the 1995 one over this but I’d revisit it again in the future and it was a step above compared to the Brett Bentman version that’s currently on Tubi. The only extras were the “Trailer” for Rumpelstiltskin and the “Trinity Trailer Reel” on the home video release from Darkside Releasing. It’s a professionally made on demand BD-R. It’s available everywhere right now including MovieZyng.com, CHECK IT OUT!!!!