By the time 1996 rolled around, Geena Davis had established herself as a leading lady in American cinema. Starring in a list of films that gained her praise, the boldest were 1986’s The Fly, 1988’s Beetlejuice, 1991’s Thelma & Louise, and 1992’s A League of Their Own. Jumping into 1996, Davis turned many heads as a leading action hero in The Long Kiss Goodnight.
A film directed by her-then husband Renny Harlin (known for others like 1988’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master and 1990’s Die Hard 2), the screenplay was written by Shane Black (who had created the original story for 1987’s Lethal Weapon, as well as 1991’s The Last Boy Scout). Beyond them, there were also big names associated, including the well-known Samuel L. Jackson, who co-starred alongside Davis, while the award-winning Brian Cox took a supporting role.
With a fantastic cast and a big budget in tow, The Long Kiss Goodnight was prime to make a big splash at the box office. However, for whatever reason, it did not do quite as well as it should have. A factor that makes you wonder if people were deterred by seeing a female as the fearless aggressor; nearly thirty years since you could say Davis’s performance broke down the wall for other women to play such roles as Milla Jovovich as Alice in the Resident Evil franchise or Scarlett Johansson in 2014’s Lucy. Sure, Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley in 1979’s Alien began the process, but when you saw Davis as a bad-ass assassin named Charly Baltimore, there was a lasting impression.
All part of progressive history regarding equality for female leading roles in film; while The Long Kiss Goodnight may not have made the money New Line Cinema had hoped for, it had a lasting impact that cannot be denied. Sustaining a dedicated following through the years, the film has a lot of characteristics that cannot be ignored, such as, even with all the action it brings, it somehow has a Christmas theme. Furthermore, Davis and Jackson (who is the king of one-liners) have some absolutely unforgettable dialogue that you cannot help but chuckle at.
That is why the news that The Long Kiss Goodnight would receive a 4K Ultra HD release was met with immense excitement among fans. Made possible by Arrow Video, the limited edition release arrived as a two-disc set on April 8, 2025. A significant upgrade from prior releases, including VHS, Laserdisc, DVD, or Blu-ray releases, the 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative (approved by Director Renny Harlin) is stunning. Making the film’s impact that much more intense, the colors, lighting, and depth are noticeable.
Beyond this, the supplement material is miles ahead of any prior releases. Offering more than ever, you get new audio commentaries and interviews and achieve promotional interviews you may have never seen before. Joined by a limited edition packaging with a reversible sleeve, a seasonal postcard, and a sticker, you would be hard-pressed to find a better option for viewing and owning a piece of The Long Kiss Goodnight. That is why Cryptic Rock dubs this a must-have, giving the Arrow Video 4K UHD limited edition release of The Long Kiss Goodnight 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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