Released: 14th April 2025. In the 1980s special make-up effects artists became stars, pushing the boundaries of what could be shown on screen as audiences around the world reacted with shock and delight. No surprise then that sooner or later they’d get a movie that made them the hero.
In F/X: Murder by Illusion, Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown) is a special effects genius approached by the Department of Justice to fake the death of a gangster about to turn state’s evidence. But all is not as it seems. Now someone is trying to kill Rollie, and grizzled cop Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy) suspects him of murder. Unable to turn to the police, Rollie goes on the run with only his wits and his special effects expertise to save him. F/X was a smash-hit and a sequel was inevitable. Under the auspices of ace Australian director Richard Franklin (Psycho II), F/X 2: The Deadly Art of Illusion sees Rollie convinced, against his better judgement, to once again use his expertise beyond the silver screen, this time helping to trap a murderer as part of an NYPD sting. When lightning strikes twice and things go wrong, Rollie, his girlfriend Kim (Rachel Ticotin) and her young son Chris are all plunged into danger; only with Leo’s help can Rollie keep them safe.
Beloved by a generation of movie fans and featuring two of the most charismatic character actors ever to grace the screen in Brown and Dennehy, F/X and F/X 2 are the kind of charming action-thrillers they just don’t seem to be making anymore. Step back into a world of grande illusions!
2-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations of F/X and F/X 2
Original lossless stereo audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
60-page perfect bound collector’s book featuring new writing by film critics Guy Adams, Clem Bastow, William Bibbiani and Priscilla Page
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh
Double-sided fold out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh
Stickers for the films of Rollie Tyler
DISC 1 - F/X: MURDER BY ILLUSION
New commentary by film critic Mike White of the Projection Booth Podcast
New commentary by Dan Martin of 13 Finger FX and filmmaker Jennifer Handorf
The FX of F/X, a new interview with make-up effects supervisor Carl Fullerton
F/X Illusions, a new visual essay by film critic Heather Wixson, author of Monsters, Make-up & Effects
Murder by Illusion, an archive interview with director Robert Mandel
The Making of F/X, an archive featurette
Theatrical trailer
Image gallery
DISC 2 - F/X 2: THE DEADLY ART OF ILLUSION
New commentary by Dan Martin of 13 Finger FX and filmmaker Jen Handorf
Art & Illusion, a new interview with make-up effects supervisor Eric Allard
F/X Magic, a new visual essay by film critic Heather Wixson, author of Monsters, Make-up & Effects
The Australian Invasion, a new visual essay by film scholar Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
The Making of F/X 2, an archive featurette
Behind the Scenes
Inside Eric Allard’s Workshop
Theatrical trailer
Image gallery
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