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138 minutes ‧ R ‧ 2026
Cast: Sara Rue, Birkett Turton, Karen Black
Director: Todd Stephens
Genres: Drama, Queer

Throw on your darkest outfit, pull on your black boots, and apply your makeup, because after 25 years, one of the most beloved cult classics in Queer and goth cinema is roaring back to the big screen. Gypsy 83: The Director’s Cut has arrived — bigger, bolder, and more complete than ever.

Todd Stephens’ 2001 goth road-trip film never quite received the recognition it deserved — and he knows this all too well. When I asked him in a 2025 interview which of his movies was his favorite, he responded without hesitation: Gypsy 83. Stephens described it as “close to my heart, partly because it’s the underdog.” The version audiences saw was heavily cut during editing, falling short of his original vision.

Now, that’s about to change. This release is a full 4K restoration, scanned from the original 35mm negative. Every shadow, every smudge of eyeliner, and every neon-lit highway now shines with a richness that the original theatrical release could only have dreamed of. Fans of the film are invited to rediscover it in stunning detail, while newcomers are encouraged to buckle up for a whole new experience.

The Director’s Cut adds approximately 40 minutes of never-before-seen footage, extending the runtime to a lush 138 minutes. This version presents the film exactly as Stephens intended: raw, romantic, and unfiltered.

Gypsy Vale (Sara Rue), a 25-year-old dreamer stuck in Sandusky, Ohio, worships at the altar of Stevie Nicks and aches for something more. Her partner in eyeliner and rebellion, Clive Webb (Birkett Turton), is a Queer teen with a fierce spirit and a deep sense of displacement. When they hear about New York City’s legendary “Night of 1,000 Stevies” tribute event, they do what outsiders do best: hit the road.

What follows is a cross-country journey filled with strange characters, hard truths, and the kind of chosen-family love that keeps the lonely alive. Along the way, the legendary Karen Black makes a memorable appearance, delivering a performance fans won’t soon forget.

Gypsy 83 is a love letter to everyone who has ever felt like they didn’t belong. It’s a Queer coming-of-age story with real teeth, wrapped in goth culture and driven by the fierce bond between two outsiders searching for their tribe. Celebrating weirdos, dreamers, and anyone brave enough to be exactly who they are, the film’s message resonates more powerfully than ever, even 25 years after its original release.

Screenings of Gypsy 83: The Director’s Cut will kick off in New York City, followed by showings in Seattle on August 26–27 at the SIFF Film Center. For those unable to attend in person, Blu-ray and DVD preorders are now available through Altered Innocence, ensuring that fans can add this beauty to their collections and revisit it.

This is more than a movie. It’s a homecoming for the misfits, the dreamers, and the beautifully strange. So call your crew, plan your outfit, and get ready to hit the road with Gypsy and Clive once more. The lights are dimming, the music is swelling, and your seat is waiting at the SIFF. Grab your tickets for the premiere — and come dressed to thrill.

More information on the Seattle screenings is at https://www.siff.net/cinema/in-theaters/gypsy-83-the-directors-cut.

Future Dates

Aug 14-20 / New York, NY @ Quad Cinema
-Q&A w/ director Todd Stephens, producer Karen Jaroneski, & actors Carolyn Baeumler and Vera Beren on 8/14 @ 7:10pm
-Q&A w/ director Todd Stephens & Producer Karen Jaroneski on 8/15 @ 7:10pm
Aug 21-27 / Los Angeles, CA @ Landmark’s Nuart Theatre
-Q&A w/ director Todd Stephens, Actor Birkett Turton, & Cinematographer Gina DeGirolamo 8/21 & 8/22 @ 7pm
Aug 26 & 27 / Seattle, WA @ SIFF Film Center
Aug 27 / San Francisco, CA @ The Roxie Theater
Aug 29 / Houston, TX @ River Oaks Theatre
Aug 31 / Nashville, TN @ Belcourt Theatre
Sep 3 / Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA
Sep 4-10 / Howell, MI @ Historic Howell Theater
Sep 11 / Denver, CO @ Sie FilmCenter