The Exorcist: Believer

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray presentation of "The Exorcist: Believer" dazzles with its exceptional transfer quality, showcasing an astonishing level of detail throughout its diverse settings. From the vividly depicted streets of Haiti to the intricately adorned church interiors, viewers are invited into a visually rich world that captivates and engrosses. The texture work is particularly noteworthy, offering an almost tangible feel to objects and costumes within the film. Elements such as the fibrous detail on Angela's sweater, the choir's robes, and the gauzy bandages adorning hospital scenes demonstrate a commitment to visual depth and realism. Additionally, the makeup effects on characters emerging through their possessions are rendered with a meticulous attention to detail, accentuating the horror of their conditions with disturbingly realistic scars and blood effects.

The cinematography also benefits greatly from the 4K transfer, with outdoor scenes in Georgia providing a showcase for the format's capability to convey a natural beauty amid the film's darker tones. The cemetery scene, abundant with fall colors, stands out for its depth and clarity, enhancing the atmospheric tension integral to the film’s thematic essence. The contrast between the vibrant exteriors and the oppressive, shadow-laden locales of seances and exorcisms is masterfully handled, with deep blacks and bright whites striking a compelling visual balance. This dynamic range lends a foreboding intensity to the darker sequences while maintaining clarity and detail.

Lighting and color grading further enrich "The Exorcist: Believer’s" visual storytelling. The film’s palette navigates from lush exteriors to sinister interiors with seamless grace, exploiting the 4K’s high dynamic range to elevate the narrative's mood and tone. Shadows are deep yet revealing in dark scenes, avoiding loss of detail while enhancing the eerie atmosphere. Whites burst with luminosity, particularly in the clinical starkness of the hospital scenes, contrasted against the healthy, natural skin tones of characters, provided they are not under demonic influence. This careful treatment ensures that each frame contributes to an immersive and aesthetically coherent cinematic experience.

The Exorcist: Believer" showcases a robust Dolby Atmos audio landscape that expertly leverages bass and surround sound to immerse viewers right from the beginning. The audio experience kicks off with an intense sequence set in Haiti, marked by a catastrophic earthquake. This scene is a testament to the audio track's prowess, delivering palpable ground rumblings and the chaos of crashing concrete, alongside an array of explosions that envelop the viewer. The transition from this high-intensity auditory onslaught to a more subdued soundscape, characterized by faint meditative chimes and tones, cleverly distorts dialogue and crafts a sense of disorientation reflective of the on-screen mayhem’s aftermath. Notably, this dynamic range from loud cacophonies to softer, more intricate sounds underscores the Atmos track's versatility.

Throughout the film, the audio track continues to impress with its thoughtful use of ambient sounds and directional accuracy, further enhancing the narrative's immersive qualities. Busy school hallways come alive with the murmurs and footsteps of students, while a church scene boasts a room-filling choir that places the listener amongst the congregation. Additionally, the calculated use of surround sound during a thunderstorm around the 29-minute mark adds layers to the atmospheric tension. Momentary nods to Friedkin's original film through mimicked hard cuts introduce abrupt, jarring sounds that momentarily envelop the audience, further showcasing the audio track’s range and capability to blend seamlessly with the film's visual elements.

Predominantly dialogue-driven, the Dolby Atmos track maintains clarity and balance, ensuring that speech is neither overwhelmed nor lost amidst the myriad background sounds. Directional audio is executed with precision, presenting a cohesive and well-balanced auditory experience. Through strategic sound placement and meticulous attention to auditory detail, "The Exorcist: Believer" delivers a compelling and nuanced audio performance that significantly enhances the viewing experience, making it a standout component of the film's 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation.

The "The Exorcist: Believer" 4K UHD Blu-Ray presents an enriching array of special features that delve deeply into the making of this eagerly anticipated sequel. The collection offers a comprehensive look into the creative process, from developing a narrative that branches distinctively away from the original while honoring its essence, to intricate discussions on character growth and thematic research. Notably, it provides unique insights into the technical aspects of filmmaking, such as character makeup, sound editing, and the meticulous construction of the opening scene to reflect a respectful nod to its predecessor. The reunion of Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn underlines a nostalgic connection to the 1973 classic, blending the old with the new in a thoughtful manner. The feature commentary stands out by offering a casual yet informative discussion that covers a wide range of topics including casting choices, location relevance, and the adaptation of director Friedkin's stylistic elements, making it a treasure trove for fans and cinephiles alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making a Believer: Insights from the new chapter’s team and Ellen Burstyn on evolving her character from the original film.

• Linda and Ellen Reunited: A secretive discussion with key figures about bridging the past and present of the franchise.

• Stages of Possession: A deep dive into character makeup reflecting the thematic essence of possession.

• The Opening: Creatives discuss crafting the opening scene with homages to the original film’s elements.

• Editing and Exorcism: The editing process explored, revealing techniques in sound design and storytelling dynamics.

• Mattes of Faith: David Gordon Green’s research into the thematic core of possession and exorcism.

• Feature Commentary: An engaging commentary by key crew members discussing a wide array of topics from casting to location specifics, and filmmaking inspirations drawn from the original 1973 movie.

The Exorcist: Believer," the latest offering in the iconic horror franchise, seeks to terrify a new generation of viewers with its arrival on 4K UHD courtesy of Universal. The film's presentation exceeds expectations, boasting a Dolby Atmos audio track that envelops the audience in an eerie soundscape, essential for capturing the chilling atmosphere of the movie. Accompanying the main feature are six informative featurettes covering a range of topics from casting to make-up effects, alongside a feature-length commentary, enriching the viewing experience. Packaged neatly with a Blu-ray disc, digital code, and a visually thematic slipcover, the release promises to be a substantial addition to any horror aficionado’s collection.

Set against the backdrop of Haiti and later shifting to Percy, Georgia, "The Exorcist: Believer" introduces us to the tragic yet intriguing story of Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and his daughter Angela. The film's core strength lies in the performances of Lidya Jewett and Olivia O'Neill, who deliver compelling portrayals of possession with an intensity that is both mesmerizing and harrowing. Their transformations, underpinned by Christopher Nelson's exceptional make-up effects, serve as a testament to the physical demands of their roles. Yet, despite these strong performances, the movie struggles to evoke the sheer terror that defined its predecessor. This discrepancy can primarily be attributed to uneven pacing and a narrative that too quickly diverts into supernatural explanations without adequately exploring the psychological terror inherent in demonic possession.

Furthermore, "The Exorcist: Believer" faces challenges in balancing homage with originality. Director David Gordon Green's continuous nods to the 1973 classic, while intended to pay respect, often detract from the film's ability to stand on its own merits. The decision to replicate iconic scenes and motifs from the original film comes across as imitation rather than innovation, leaving audiences yearning for the subtlety and psychological depth of William Friedkin's masterpiece. Additionally, the film's approach to exorcism, featuring an eclectic team including a Hoodoo practitioner and a Baptist minister, while innovative, undermines the gravitas and mystique traditionally associated with the rite. This do-it-yourself tactic dilutes the perceived difficulty and danger of confronting demonic forces, moving away from the profound existential dread that made the concept so compelling in its original iteration.

In revisiting the hallowed ground of "The Exorcist" with "The Exorcist: Believer," David Gordon Green faces the unenviable task of living up to William Friedkin's seminal work. Despite his commendable efforts and a capable cast led by Leslie Odom Jr., the film struggles to recapture the nuanced scripting, suffocating atmosphere, and raw intensity that distinguished the original. Though the movie showcases respectable scares and commendable make-up effects as demonic possessions intensify, these elements alone struggle to prop up the narrative. This would suggest that newcomers to the franchise might derive more pleasure from this offering, whereas enthusiasts of the iconic 1973 masterpiece, despite their anticipation for Ellen Burstyn's much-awaited return, might find their expectations unmet.

The technical presentation of "The Exorcist: Believer" on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, however, stands as a testament to high-quality home entertainment. The dedication to visual and auditory excellence offers a silver lining for collectors and technical enthusiasts alike. The transfer exhibits impeccable detail, allowing the make-up effects’ intricacy to shine, while the audio mix envelops viewers in a soundscape that aims to immerse them into the unfolding horror, despite the narrative's shortcomings.

Conclusively, while "The Exorcist: Believer" might falter in eclipsing or even meeting the monumental legacy of its predecessor in terms of storytelling and atmospheric horror, its technical achievements, particularly in its 4K UHD Blu-Ray incarnation, are undeniable. This release will undeniably appeal to tech-savvy cinephiles and collectors for its visual and auditory fidelity, serving as a compelling addition to any horror aficionado’s collection, albeit with tempered expectations concerning its narrative prowess.