Most people hear the name James Gunn and think Guardians of the Galaxy or his shiny new Superman movie. Not me. When I hear his name, my mind immediately goes to the gutter—specifically to Slither, his 2006 masterpiece of sci-fi slime that helped turn him into the cinematic mastermind he is today.
So, the second I heard about the glorious new 20th Anniversary 4K Steelbook, I threw my wallet at the screen. Let’s say it did not disappoint.
Slimey Tentacle Aliens
If you’ve never experienced this beautiful disaster, the story is a classic “alien parasite meets the backwoods” nightmare. A space rock lands in a sleepy town. Then a local businessman is transformed into a walking tentacled biological hazard as the alien begins a messy mission to consume every living thing on Earth.
It’s up to the town’s delightfully dry-witted Sheriff (Nathan Fillion, delivering peak Fillion) and a resilient local wife of the victim (Elizabeth Banks) to stop the infestation before the entire population is digested into one giant, screaming biomass.
The Ultra-HD Glow-Up
This isn’t just some lazy digital port; it’s a full-scale visual overhaul. The film has been meticulously restored from the original 35mm Interpositive, featuring a brand-new 4K Dolby Vision master personally approved by James Gunn and Director of Photography Gregory Middleton. Let me tell you: if you haven’t seen these slugs in ultra-high definition, you haven’t truly lived—or been properly tempted to lose your lunch. The picture is crystal clear, completely stripping away that muddy, fuzzy look that plagued so many early-2000s home releases.
The Limited-Edition Steelbook Breakdown
This UK-exclusive release features stunning, vibrant new artwork by artist Chris Malbon and comes packed with enough bonus content to satisfy even the hungriest horror hound:
The collectible Steelbook has a gorgeous metallic sheen, a matching double-sided poster worthy of framing, and a giant, judgmental eyeball on the back cover.
It’s 4K Dolby Vision for maximum, wet, slimy detail.
The New Bonus Features
-“We’ve Got Worms” – An interview with DP Gregory Middleton.
-“Feed The Fear” – A deep dive with Editor John Axelrad.
-“Just A Bee Sting” – A look at the legendary practical effects with Special Make-up Effects Designer Todd Masters (the real hero here).
… “What’s Gotten Into You” – An interview with Composer Tyler Bates.
If you are a Gunn fan, a Fillion fan, or just someone who appreciates high-quality gross-out horror, this is a mandatory addition to your shelf. Screw digital streaming. You’re going to want a physical copy of this when horny, tentacled, alien slug monsters inevitably take over the world.
How to Snag One
The Slither Special Edition 4K UHD + Blu-ray Steelbook combo, which is a limited edition, dropped on June 1st. Given its strictly limited run and James Gunn’s current status as Hollywood royalty, these things are guaranteed to vanish faster than a small-town livestock population during a parasitic outbreak. Secure yours at HMV, Zavvi, or Amazon before you’re left crying in the mud.
