‘Razor Blade Smile’ Sinks Its Teeth Into Stunning New 4K Release

A gun-toting vampire assassin stalking through the underworld of 1990s London is making a comeback as Razor Blade Smile receives its first ever UK UHD and Blu-ray release.

Nucleus Films has unveiled a new limited edition 4K restoration of Jake West’s cult 1998 horror film, with the three-disc collector’s set available now. Newly scanned from the original 16mm A/B/C film rolls, the release arrives with more than nine hours of bonus material exploring both the production itself and the wider British vampire culture that surrounded the era.

Fronted by Eileen Daly in her breakthrough role as vampire hitwoman Lilith Silver, Razor Blade Smile blends gothic horror, comic book stylings and action cinema influences into a distinctly late-1990s genre hybrid. The story follows Lilith, resurrected as a vampire after a deadly duel 150 years earlier, who now works as a lethal assassin known as “The Angel of Death”. Armed with a weapon-filled coffin and tasked with taking down members of the Illuminati, she cuts through London’s criminal underworld while confronting enemies determined to destroy her first.

Alongside Daly, the cast includes Christopher Adamson and cult horror favourite David Warbeck in his final screen appearance. Warbeck, remembered for films including The Beyond, died shortly after production wrapped.

While the film developed a dedicated following through the UK horror scene and festival circuit, the new release places significant focus on documenting the culture that helped shape it. Among the standout additions is Vampires Forever, Jake West’s feature-length 2005 documentary examining Britain’s vampire subculture during the 1990s, tracing the collision of horror cinema, music and alternative fashion during the decade.

The extensive extras package also includes archival and newly recorded audio commentaries, restoration featurettes, deleted scenes, storyboard galleries, behind-the-scenes documentaries and material connected to the abandoned comic continuation Dark God Rising. A presentation recorded during FrightFest’s 25th anniversary celebrations is also included.

Nucleus Films describes the release as a comprehensive restoration project intended to preserve not only the film itself, but the wider independent horror movement that surrounded it. The UHD edition is limited to 1,000 copies and includes collector packaging, art cards and a fold-out poster.

Director Jake West has remained a notable figure within British cult cinema since Razor Blade Smile, later directing films including Evil Aliens and Doghouse while also producing documentaries focused on horror history and exploitation cinema.

Originally released during a period dominated by slick American vampire hits such as Blade and From Dusk Till Dawn, Razor Blade Smile carved out its own place within British independent horror through its stylised visuals, dark humour and comic book energy. The film has since become closely associated with the UK’s late-1990s horror revival and underground genre scene.

Razor Blade Smile is out now on limited edition UHD and Blu-ray from Nucleus Films. For more information and to order your copy, visit: nucleusfilms.com/razor-blade-smile-uhd-blu-ray-limited-edition.html

Razor Blade Smile trailer