Before he was an Oscar-winning icon, Sean Penn was the quintessential 80s bad boy. One of his most intense roles came in the 1986 thriller ‘At Close Range’, where he faced off against a chilling Christopher Walken playing a character with a terrifying secret (Sean Penn Movie With Christopher Walken: What to Expect).
Based on the shocking true story of a ruthless father turning his sons into criminals, this classic close range film is now getting a new Blu-ray movie release on November 1st.
What Is ‘At Close Range’ and Why Is It So Unforgettable?
At its heart, At Close Range is a dark and intense story about family. The 1986 film follows Brad Whitewood Jr. (Sean Penn), a restless teen drifting through rural Pennsylvania with his half-brother. When his estranged father, Brad Sr. (a mesmerizing Christopher Walken), suddenly reappears, Brad Jr. is seduced by his charisma, money, and promises of an exciting life far beyond their dead-end town.
But that fantasy quickly sours into a waking nightmare. Brad Sr. is revealed to be the cold-blooded leader of a professional crime ring, and he begins pulling his sons into a world of theft and violence. This chilling plot isn’t just Hollywood fiction; the At Close Range true story is based on the real-life Johnston Gang, a notorious crime family led by Bruce Johnston Sr. that terrorized Pennsylvania throughout the 1970s.
It’s the collision of these two powerhouse actors that makes the film so unforgettable. The movie pits Penn’s raw, vulnerable performance against Walken’s uniquely terrifying portrayal of a man utterly devoid of morality—a father who sees his own son as just another tool to be used or discarded. More than a simple crime thriller, it’s a haunting look at the ultimate family betrayal.
Why Is This New Blu-ray a Major Upgrade?
This release from the MVD Rewind Collection is a major upgrade. It comes from a brand-new, high-definition restoration of the original film, making the picture sharper and the colors richer on modern TVs. The audio has also been cleaned up, making the dialogue and Madonna’s haunting theme song clearer than ever before.
This specialty label is known for giving beloved cult films a definitive release, and this edition is packed with special features:
- Brand New: ‘The Music of At Close Range’ – An interview with composer Patrick Leonard
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- A Collectible Mini-Poster
How to Watch This 80s Crime Classic
The raw performances, the chilling true story, and the unforgettable Madonna ‘Live to Tell’ film connection are exactly why At Close Range is a classic thriller. This restored Blu-ray doesn’t just preserve the film; it lets you experience its gritty tension as if for the first time.
To watch the movie in its definitive form, look for the special edition Blu-ray on November 1st wherever movies are sold. You’re not just finding an old film; you’re uncovering a haunting story that has been waiting for a new generation.