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The Rejuvenator

Original title: Rejuvenatrix
  • 1988
  • R
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
814
YOUR RATING
The Rejuvenator (1988)
Body HorrorHorrorSci-Fi

Aging actress hires scientist developing youth serum involving brain fluid extraction. She takes it, but unintended consequences transform her into a homicidal creature.Aging actress hires scientist developing youth serum involving brain fluid extraction. She takes it, but unintended consequences transform her into a homicidal creature.Aging actress hires scientist developing youth serum involving brain fluid extraction. She takes it, but unintended consequences transform her into a homicidal creature.

  • Director
    • Brian Thomas Jones
  • Writers
    • Brian Thomas Jones
    • Simon Nuchtern
  • Stars
    • Vivian Lanko
    • John MacKay
    • James Hogue
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.3/10
    814
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Brian Thomas Jones
    • Writers
      • Brian Thomas Jones
      • Simon Nuchtern
    • Stars
      • Vivian Lanko
      • John MacKay
      • James Hogue
    • 21User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos74

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    Top cast23

    Edit
    Vivian Lanko
    • Elizabeth Warren…
    John MacKay
    • Dr. Gregory Ashton
    James Hogue
    • Wilhelm
    Katell Pleven
    • Dr. Stella Stone
    Jessica Dublin
    Jessica Dublin
    • Ruth Warren
    John Marcus Powell
    • Dr. Germaine
    • (as Marcus Powell)
    Roy MacArthur
    Roy MacArthur
    • Hunter
    Louis Homyak
    • Tony the Guard
    • (as Louis F. Homyak)
    Dwayne Coles
    • Detective 3
    Caroline Durham
    • Go-Go Dancer
    Beverly Eaby
    • Go-Go Dancer
    Irene Fitzpatrick
    • Nurse Jones
    Diamond Geary
    • Detective 1
    Kim Geraghty
    • Girl 2
    Goddess Ambrosia
    • Belly Dancer
    Herb Klinger
    • Bum
    Jacqueline Ramel
    Jacqueline Ramel
    • Woman in Phonebooth
    Stefan Rudnicki
    • Detective 2
    • Director
      • Brian Thomas Jones
    • Writers
      • Brian Thomas Jones
      • Simon Nuchtern
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    5.3814
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    Featured reviews

    6Tikkin

    An entertaining change for a horror film

    Rejuvenatrix isn't really a proper horror film in my eyes, but it makes a nice change from the norm and is entertaining throughout. The story involves an old wealthy woman who wants to be young again, and is investing vast amounts of money in a "serum" that will make her young. She gets her wish, but the catch is that after the serum wears off, she is transformed into an old hag with a taste for blood. There are some respectable gore scenes such as a woman's brain being pulled from her head, and a nurse splattered against a wall. But the tone of Rejuvenatrix is different from a slasher film so these scenes don't seem as cool as they normally would. Still this is thoroughly entertaining, it never really gets boring, and there's some decent gore - what more can you ask for? It also provides some interesting views on the debate of 'growing old gracefully'.

    I wouldn't recommend this to slasher fans, but those who love all styles of horror film should enjoy it.
    8The_Void

    A brain fluid fountain of youth!

    Wow! I honestly can't believe that I'd never heard of this excellent little eighties horror film! How The Rejuvenator has managed to stay undiscovered all these years is anyone's guess, as this entertaining mix of splatter and Sunset Blvd does what it says on the tin, and then some! Science and the human body give way to all kinds of horrific horror scenarios - from the constant attempts to rebuild a face in the French classic Eyes Without a Face, to the teleporting disasters in The Fly, you can usually count on an intriguing, and frightening, film if it's based on something scientific. The plot here focuses on actress Elizabeth Warren; she's now too old for the good roles, and like most women, wants to recapture her youth. Unlike most women, however, she's prepared to go that extra mile to realise her dream, and she employs Dr. Gregory Ashton to make her young again. He discovers something in the brain that affects the aging process, and soon performs his experiment on her. But it has unforeseen side effects, and pretty soon Elizabeth begins regenerating into a hideous brain eating monster!

    Given that it's an eighties horror film, you've got to expect rather a lot of silliness and tacky special effects, which the film has in droves; but it has to be said that the plot is carried off really well, and despite being cheap and nasty, the special effects fit the film and are a hell of a lot more believable than the CGI that would infect The Rejuvenator if it were made nowadays. The characters aren't exactly well defined, but a film like this needs the audience to care at least somewhat for them otherwise the story won't hold any weight, and director Brian Thomas Jones obviously knows that as he ensures that the situation feels as real as possible. The acting isn't bad, and sees Vivian Lanko doing well in the double central role, and while John MacKay doesn't exactly convince as a genius doctor - he's at least fun to watch, and the two have some chemistry together. The film is interesting throughout, and while there's no out and out standout moments, there's enough going on for it to remain interesting. Overall, The Rejuvenator might not appeal to everyone, but if you like your eighties horror cheesy and imaginative - I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy this!
    Chris-368

    Jekyll and Hyde type tale in which a female keeps changing into a hideous monster with an urge to kill

    Would you risk everything to be young again? Would you willingly be a guinea pig in an experiment to reverse ageing? Juvenatix's answer to this is yes. And the result is a Jekyll and Hyde type tale where the guinea pig in question keeps changing from a young female into a hideous monster with an urge to kill. The special effects in this movie are well worth seeing , especially the part were she transforms for the last time. Lowlight : Attractive lab assistant gets the top of her skull knocked off.
    7bettyconway

    Creative Horror Tale

    So many 80's horror films that were made mostly for the video market have been unfairly thrown aside in the 30+ years since they were released and many of them have a lot of creativity that deserves to be seen by a new audience. The Rejuvenator is one of those lost films that still has the capacity to entertain.

    A doctor has been working on an anti-aging serum forever, but he hasn't been working fast enough to please one of his biggest financial benefactors - an aging actress whose career could use a refreshing. Even though he's nervous about it, he agrees to shoot her up with the serum, telling her all the risks and that she'll need multiple doses of the serum or else the entire thing will reverse. The only problem is that he needs human brain tissue to make more serum and he's running out of cadavers.

    The special makeup effects are top notch, the performances are spirited with just enough camp appeal given the subject matter, and the script is smarter and better written that other films of this type and budget. This is a film that could benefit from a new Blu-Ray release.
    willywants

    A good horror movie in my opinion.

    A rich actress who has gotten too old for leading roles employs a scientist who is working on a formula for eternal youth. The formula involves withdrawing certain fluids from the human brain. She takes the serum, but its unforseen side effects turn her into a murderous monster. Brian Thomas Jone's "The rejuvenator" is a surprisingly gory and ambitious horror outing, with a ambitious plot and some excellent make-up effects. Granted, it lacked down-to-Earth characters, but if you liked films like "Society" and "Re-animator", the The Rejuvenator may be up your alley. The final transformation sequence is astounding!

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    Related interests

    Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)
    Body Horror
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Vivian Lanko's debut.
    • Goofs
      When the woman is running around as a creature, you can see her extended fingers are wiggling and shaking as if rubber prosthetics.
    • Quotes

      [Dr. Ashton is horrified to discover Elizabeth has turned monster, killing Stella:]

      Dr. Gregory Ashton: Stella! STELLA!

      Elizabeth Warren/The Monster: Your Brando needs work, darling.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Splatterhouse (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Nice Boy
      Written and Performed by Poison Dolly's

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    FAQ14

    • How long is The Rejuvenator?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Rejuvenator - Gib dem Teufel nie die Hand
    • Filming locations
      • New Jersey, USA
    • Production company
      • Jewel Productions (II)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 30m(90 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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