Return to Mortville
Synopsis
Special feature from Criterion’s release of Desperate Living, where writer-director John Waters tours the Baltimore location that served as the site of Mortville, the twisted penal colony inhabited by fugitives, outcasts, and deviants – including hysterical housewife Peggy Gravel and her fed-up housekeeper – and presided over by the despotic Queen Carlotta.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
John Waters Returns to Mortville | DESPERATE LIVINGOfficial
Type: Featurette • Published 2026-06-30
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
June 30, 2026
VOD & Digital Platforms
June 23, 2026
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- —
- Original Title
- Return to Mortville
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 14m
- Production Studios
- The Criterion Collection
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Timothy Geraghty, Gabriel Chávez
Susan Arosteguy, Peter Becker, Kim Hendrickson, Fumiko Takagi, Andrew Turell
Department Leadership Roster
Timothy Geraghty
Editor
Gabriel Chávez
Editor
Susan Arosteguy
Producer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Return to Mortville.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Return to Mortville
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Return to Mortville about?
Special feature from Criterion’s release of Desperate Living, where writer-director John Waters tours the Baltimore location that served as the site of Mortville, the twisted penal colony inhabited by fugitives, outcasts, and deviants – including hysterical housewife Peggy Gravel and her fed-up housekeeper – and presided over by the despotic Queen Carlotta.
Who directed Return to Mortville?
Return to Mortville was directed by Not specified.
Who stars in Return to Mortville?
The principal cast of Return to Mortville includes John Waters, Mink Stole, Susan Lowe, Mary Vivian Pearce, Jean Hill.
When was Return to Mortville released and how long is it?
Return to Mortville was released in 2026 with a total runtime of 14m.