Arrow Video once again delivers a lovingly restored, feature-packed version of a cult classic with a new collector’s edition 4K of Ms .45 (1981). This is one of those deep-cut grindhouse features that may not be to everyone’s tastes, but for fans of the genre, this is essential viewing. Often described as a female-driven Death Wish (1974), Ms .45 remains one of the better and more impactful grindhouse-style films ever made.

Director Abel Ferrara, whose work includes cult favorites like Bad Lieutenant (1992), The Driller Killer (1979), and the crime epic King of New York (1990), has always been a filmmaker with a distinct voice and a willingness to explore dark, controversial subject matter. Ms .45 is no exception; in fact, it might be one of his most unapologetic and haunting films.

MS .45 reversible liner. Photo courtesy of Arrow Video.

The film follows a mute New York garment worker, played by the mesmerizing Zoë Tamerlis (later known as Zoë Lund), whose life takes a horrific turn after being sexually assaulted twice in one day. This trauma sends her down a path of transformation, turning her from a timid, isolated woman into a relentless vigilante who stalks the streets of New York, seeking vengeance on men who prey on women. The setup may sound like pulpy exploitation, and, on one level, it is. This was, after all, released during the height of the grindhouse era. But under Ferrara’s direction, Ms .45 transcends its exploitation roots to become something much more haunting and psychologically resonant.

Ferrara shoots New York in a way that is both gritty and alive, capturing the city’s underbelly in all its danger and unpredictability. The film’s atmosphere is suffocating and oppressive, mirroring the protagonist’s descent into rage and alienation. What makes the movie so compelling is that it doesn’t simply glorify violence for entertainment’s sake, instead, it forces viewers to sit with the moral weight of the revenge story. Tamerlis delivers a career-defining performance, managing to express volumes without speaking a single word. Her silent fury and haunted expressions carry the entire movie, allowing the audience to connect with her pain, even as her actions become increasingly extreme.

The supporting cast is admittedly hit or miss with some performances coming off as stiff or over-the-top, which is fairly common in low-budget exploitation films of the era. Yet that slightly unpolished quality almost works in the film’s favor, making it feel more raw and dangerous. The violence, while graphic, is never cartoonish, which keeps the story grounded and avoids making it feel like a pure revenge fantasy. By the time the film reaches its shocking climax at a Halloween party, the viewer is left with a mix of catharsis and unease — the sign of a director who knows exactly what he is doing.

MS .45 expanded packshot. Photo courtesy of Arrow Video.

Arrow Video’s new 4K restoration of the film is a revelation. The transfer maintains the gritty look of the original 16 mm photography while giving it a clarity and vibrancy it has never had on home video. The grain structure looks natural, the colors are rich, and the dark, shadowy streets of New York have never looked more foreboding. On top of the stellar visual upgrade, the release includes a wealth of special features — commentaries, interviews, and essays which explore the cultural impact of the film and Tamerlis’s own fascinating life story. For collectors and cinephiles, this is easily the definitive edition of Ms .45.

In the end, it is not an easy watch, but it is an unforgettable one. Ms .45 is a film that dares to confront its audience with difficult questions about revenge, justice, and the cycle of violence, all wrapped in a tight, 80-minute grindhouse package. For fans of Abel Ferrara, exploitation cinema, or provocative cult classics, this is a must-see and a must-own release.

Ms .45 4K UHD Special Features:

• *NEW* Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films from the original 35mm camera negative
• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless mono audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• *NEW* Brand new audio commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, author of Rape Revenge Films: A Critical Study and Cultographies: Ms .45
• *NEW* The Voice of Violence, a new featurette with film critic BJ Colangelo
• *NEW* Where Dreams Go to Die, a new featurette with film critic Kat Ellinger
• Archive interview with director Abel Ferrara
• Archive interview with composer Joe Delia
• Archive interview with creative consultant Jack McIntyre
• Zoe XO, a 2004 short film directed by Paul Rachman
• Zoe Rising, a 2011 short film directed by Paul Rachman
• Theatrical trailer
• Image gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sister Hyde
• Perfect bound collector’s book featuring new writing by Robert Lund, previously unseen photographs of Zoë Lund, plus select archival material including writing by Kier-La Janisse and Brad Stevens
• Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sister Hyde

Available on 4K UHD limited edition October 28^th, 2025.

For more information, head to the official Arrow Video Ms .45 webpage.
To purchase, head to the official MVD Entertainment Ms .45 webpage.

Categories: Home Video, Reviews

Tags: 4K UHD, Abel Ferrara, action, Albert Sinkys, Arrow Video, Bogey, crime, Darlene Stuto, Editta Sherman, Faith Peters, Helen McGara, home release, home video, Ms .45, MVD Entertainment Group, Navaron Films, Nicholas St. John, Nike Zachmanoglou, Peter Yellen, restoration, Stanley Timms, thriller, Vincent Gruppi, Zoë Lund, Zoë Tamerlis