Come True

Scream Factory's release of "Come True" on Blu-ray showcases the film in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio, leveraging the MPEG-4 AVC codec on a BD-50 disc, alongside a visually appealing slipcover. The presentation emphasizes the movie's distinctive visual style, largely characterized by desaturated colors and a preference for a limited color palette, notably cyan blue and mauve. Such choices enhance the film's ethereal and somewhat eerie atmosphere, a testament to director Anthony Scott Burns's stylistic vision. Shot presumably in high definition, the Blu-ray demonstrates a meticulous attention to detail, not only in the broader scenic compositions but also in the close-up shots where facial details are rendered with remarkable clarity. Characters like Dr. Meyer and Sarah are showcased with impressive depth and texture, making for an immersive viewing experience.

The disc’s technical specifications further contribute to a smooth and robust home viewing experience. With an average video bitrate of 35,000 kbps, the transfer ensures that both the film’s darker sequences and its more vibrantly colored moments are presented with minimal compression artifacts, maintaining integrity and fidelity to the original shooting format. The provision of twelve chapters for the 105-minute feature allows for easy navigation, enhancing the user-friendly aspect of the Blu-ray.

Despite the film's predominant lack of daylight scenes, this does not detract from the visual experience. Instead, it accentuates the hauntingly beautiful cinematography that plays with shadows and limited light sources, allowing for an intriguing interplay between light and dark that serves to draw the viewer deeper into the film's narrative and thematic essence. The Blu-ray release of "Come True" by Scream Factory manifests an adept balancing act between preserving the director's original vision and optimizing the film for home viewing, making it a commendable addition for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Scream presents an audio experience for "Come True" that captures the eerie and electric essence of the film's soundtrack and dialogue with stunning clarity and immersion. Featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround track at a bitrate of 2351 kbps and a 24-bit depth, alongside a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo downsampled mix at 1653 kbps, 24-bit, the audio presentation is designed to cater to a range of home cinema setups, ensuring no one misses out on the hauntingly atmospheric music by Electric Youth and Pilotpriest, the latter being a pseudonym for the film's director, Anthony Scott Burns. The 5.1 Surround mix, in particular, offers a clear and distinct dialogue output while incorporating the surround channels effectively to deliver subtle yet impactful sound effects that enrich the overall viewing experience.

The film's score, a collaborative effort between Electric Youth and Burns (as Pilotpriest), resonates well with the thematic elements and visuals of "Come True". Inspired by the electronic scores of the past, notably Tangerine Dream's work on Michael Mann’s "Thief", the soundtrack for "Come True" manages to carve its own niche within this genre. The use of Burns's remixed tracks of Electric Youth's "Modern Fears" and "Runaway" integrates seamlessly with the narrative, creating an immersive soundscape that enhances every scene. This lossless mix not only adds depth to the viewing experience but also highlights the meticulous attention the creators have afforded to the film's auditory dimensions.

In addition to its rich auditory offerings, Scream also ensures accessibility through optional English SDH and Spanish SDH subtitles. This decision underlines the distributor's commitment to making "Come True" an enjoyable and inclusive experience for all viewers, regardless of hearing ability. The carefully mixed audio tracks, combined with thoughtful accessibility features, make this Blu Ray presentation a testament to how pivotal sound is in amplifying the impact of visual storytelling, enveloping the audience in a sensory journey that is as technically impressive as it is emotionally captivating.

The extra presentation of the Blu Ray for "Come True" is relatively modest, focusing primarily on a select few engaging materials that complement the main feature. It is a thoughtful though not extensive collection, aimed at providing a more in-depth understanding of the film's context and creation. While it does not boast an exhaustive array of special features, what is presented is carefully curated, ensuring that aficionados of the genre and the film will find value in the insights provided. This approach mirrors a restrained yet meaningful enhancement of the viewer's experience, echoing the film's own nuanced storytelling style.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original Theatrical Trailer: A preview of the film as originally advertised.
• Bonus Previews for Other IFC Midnight Titles: A selection of trailers for other films under the IFC Midnight banner.

"Come True" delves into the complex and eerie world of sleep paralysis through its protagonist, Sarah Dunne, portrayed with a palpable sense of vulnerability by Julia Sarah Stone. Director Anthony Scott Burns crafts a narrative that is as deeply personal as it is universally unsettling, drawing on his own experiences with sleep paralysis to imbue the story with a palpable sense of dread. The film meticulously explores the dark caverns of Sarah’s dream world, filled with shadowy figures and geometric abstractions, effectively capturing the essence of oneironautics—the exploration of dream worlds. This attention to the psychological and visual aspects of dreams sets "Come True" apart, providing viewers with an immersive experience into the subconscious.

At its core, "Come True" is a story of estrangement and survival. Sarah, grappling with unspecified familial issues, finds herself partaking in a university sleep study that promises more than just monetary compensation. The study's secretive nature and the disappearance of a fellow participant heighten the mystery, while Sarah's encounters with Jeremy, a graduate assistant with an interest in her, introduce a human element to the clinical atmosphere of the research facility. The fusion of retro analog equipment with modern technology within the study underscores the film's thematic exploration of the blurred lines between reality and the dream world, enhancing the narrative's surreal quality.

Burns employs Carl Jung’s concepts of The Persona, The Anima and Animus, The Shadow, and The Self to structure "Come True," adding layers of psychological depth to Sarah's journey through her subconscious realms. This methodical exploration of Jungian archetypes alongside the visual translation of dreams onto retro monitors showcases Burns' innovative approach to storytelling. However, the film's controversial ending, which has sparked debate among audiences, might suggest a disconnect with the preceding narrative. Despite this, "Come True" remains a thought-provoking and visually arresting exploration of the intersection between dreams and reality, marked by strong performances and a compelling use of technology and psychological theory.

"Come True" stands out as a distinctive venture in the sci-fi/horror genre, showcasing an enthralling slow-burn thriller that dives deep into the essence of Jungian archetypes and constructs dreamscapes evocative of the darkest corners of horror video games. The film is anchored by Julia Sarah Stone's impressively mature performance, which adds a solid foundation to the already ethereal narrative. Director Anthony Scott Burns showcases his versatility and prowess in crafting this unique cinematic experience. However, the film's conclusion may leave audiences divided; despite its ambitious setup, the ending opts for a more bewildering path that doesn’t seem to align seamlessly with the intricate world built up to that point.

From a technical standpoint, Scream Factory's Blu-ray presentation of "Come True" does justice to the film’s atmospheric visuals and complex soundscapes. Viewers are treated to a competent and faithful transfer that maintains the original integrity of the movie’s visuals and audio. However, it's noteworthy that this release comes without any extras, which is a letdown for enthusiasts hoping to delve deeper into the making of such a layered film. European versions of the Blu-ray apparently include a making-of featurette, which would have been a valuable addition for fans and newcomers alike.

In conclusion, "Come True" is a remarkable film that successfully blends psychological thriller elements with sci-fi and horror, supported by strong performances and inventive direction. While the ending may not satisfy all, the journey there is visually and audibly rewarding. The Blu-ray presentation is proficient, albeit lacking in supplemental content, leaving a bit more to be desired for those fascinated by the film’s production and thematic explorations. Regardless, for aficionados of the genre and dream theorists alike, "Come True" certainly merits recommendation.