MIKEY BLU RAY REVIEW – TREASURED FILMS BRINGS THE BANNED KILLER KID THRILLER TO THE UK
One of the most controversial horror thrillers of the 1990s has finally arrived in the UK. Treasured Films have dug deep into the vault to resurrect Mikey, a film that has hovered in the shadows of cult status since its original release. Long whispered about due to its connection with tragic real-life events, this is the first time the film has received a legitimate home release in Britain. And thanks to a stacked Blu ray package, fans and collectors alike now have the chance to experience this unsettling piece of cinematic history.
Mikey, directed by Dennis Dimster and written by Jonathan Glassner, follows the unnerving story of a young boy who hides homicidal tendencies behind his angelic smile. The film opens with a deceptively wholesome scene before taking a sharp turn into disturbing territory. When Mikey is scolded for playing with fire, he retaliates in a way no child should. His adoptive sister is drowned in the pool, his mother is electrocuted in the bath, and his father is bludgeoned with a bat. The aftermath sees Mikey calmly tell the police that a mysterious intruder was responsible. Believing him, they place him into another home without hesitation.
The new parents, Rachel and Neil (played by Mimi Craven and John Diehl), are thrilled to adopt Mikey. Unable to have children of their own, they believe the boy is a blessing. But Mikey has not changed. He quickly charms everyone around him, hiding his manipulative side from those closest to him. Only his teacher, played by Ashley Laurence of Hellraiser fame, begins to suspect something darker beneath his wide-eyed innocence.
As Mikey’s new life spirals into chaos, he develops an inappropriate and obsessive crush on an older teenage girl next door. Played by Josie Bissett, Jessie becomes an unwitting target of Mikey’s increasingly unstable mind. When her boyfriend gets in the way, Mikey eliminates the problem in his own cold and calculating fashion.
Brian Bonsall, best known at the time for his role on Family Ties, delivers a performance that is both haunting and effective. He captures the duality of Mikey with surprising confidence, moving from sweet and smiling to dead-eyed menace without missing a beat. While the film occasionally dips into melodrama, Bonsall’s performance remains consistent and often chilling.
There are certainly moments of unintentional comedy and questionable character decisions. Victims often react to danger with baffling calm, and many deaths could have been avoided with the smallest amount of awareness. One character, after being attacked with a hammer, simply strolls to the fridge for an ice pack instead of defending herself or fleeing. These choices strain credibility but remain part of the genre’s charm.
Mikey was pulled from UK release in 1996 due to its perceived similarity to the murder of James Bulger, a crime that deeply affected the nation. Although the film is not connected to that incident in any literal way, the British Board of Film Classification chose not to grant it a certificate. This made Mikey an unofficial video nasty for the modern era. It remained largely unseen on these shores for decades, developing an underground reputation among horror fans.
That makes Treasured Films’ Blu ray release a significant one. The presentation is excellent, featuring a sharp HD transfer and a strong selection of extras. These include interviews with cast members, such as Mimi Craven and Whit Hertford, an audio commentary, and a featurette on killer kids in cinema. The physical package is impressive as well, with a booklet, poster, postcards, a magnet, and reversible sleeve artwork. For those who enjoy boutique releases, this is one that belongs on the shelf.
While Mikey will not rival The Omen or The Good Son in terms of influence, it remains a solid and twisted thriller that plays with the idea of innocence gone horribly wrong. It might feel like a television movie in places, but the subject matter and performances lift it into darker territory.
If you are a horror collector, a fan of lesser known psychological thrillers, or simply curious about a film that was deemed too dangerous to watch for years, Mikey is finally available to view, own, and discuss. It is flawed, fascinating, and, in its own way, unforgettable.
