The Drownsman Blu-ray Review

The 1080p Blu-ray transfer of "The Drownsman" offers a visually engaging experience, characterized by impressive detail and depth throughout the film. Initially, it presents a gritty, retro aesthetic before transitioning to a more conventional digital sheen. Despite its inherent inorganic and flat look, the movie maintains a moody ambiance thanks to its low and warm lighting and shadowy backdrops. Details are consistently sharp, whether showcasing up-close facial features or intricate elements like scuffed wood floors and home accents. The superior makeup work and prosthetics of the killer are particularly well highlighted, enhancing the film's visual impact.

Encoded in MPEG-4 AVC with a resolution of 1080p and an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, the transfer boasts rich and heavy black levels. However, there is occasional detail loss and some crushing in darker scenes, especially towards the final two-thirds of the movie. The film isn’t overtly colorful, but outdoor scenes are well-balanced with bold colors, while the darker, grittier scenes maintain a pleasing, dingy texture. Background textures in tight quarters appear convincingly grimy and well-detailed, adding to the film’s atmospheric depth.

Overall clarity is quite strong, with the film presenting a rich depiction of surface textures. Skin tones veer slightly cool but remain consistent with excellent facial detail in close-ups. Although there is a slight smoothness when zooming out, it does not detract significantly from the visual experience. The transfer is notably clean, with minimal interference from banding or noise, maintaining the film's bleak and moody aesthetic effectively. The presentation ensures viewers are immersed in "The Drownsman's" dark and haunting world.

"The Drownsman" delivers an impressive auditory experience with its Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The audio mix features a hauntingly heavy score that offers a wide, immersive sound stage, consistently supported by a deep, resonant bass. This is most noticeable in the primary score and background beats during scenes such as those at the party near the film's introduction. Furthermore, the sound design is rich with eerie, moody atmospherics that effectively heighten the tension throughout the film. Particularly, the dripping water effects are rendered with striking detail and clarity. There are also standout moments like a rain and thunderstorm sequence near the end, which envelops the listener with a vivid sense of immersion.

Technically, the track excels in dynamics, delivering full-bodied sound experiences that feel distinct and effective. Although there is some minimal blending, the track remains cohesive overall. Notably, low frequency extension enhances jump scares and action sequences, where attacks, crashes, and significant scoring hits are given an extra boost by the subwoofer, making for more impactful moments. The surround sound presentation is well-balanced, with rear speakers subtly adding score and ambiance while front speakers provide accurate screen-to-speaker volume and movement alignment. Dialogue reproduction is generally clean and crisp, maintaining clarity throughout most of the film. However, attention must be given to a sequence featuring screaming towards the end, which sharply peaks and causes noticeable distortion.

Overall, this Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track makes "The Drownsman" an engaging auditory experience despite a few minor issues. The meticulous attention to atmospheric effects and soundscaping contributes significantly to the film's haunting ambiance, making it an excellent audio presentation from Anchor Bay.

The Blu-ray release of "The Drownsman" offers a comprehensive and engaging set of extras that enhance the viewing experience. Notable is the detailed making-of segment, which provides in-depth insights into the film's ambitious effects work and character-driven narrative. Adding to the value are the cast and crew interviews, showcasing the intriguing directorial choices and behind-the-scenes dynamics. The commentary track is particularly illuminating, diving deep into the nuances of horror filmmaking and technical challenges faced during production. While the deleted scenes and blooper reel offer additional entertainment, they also reveal alternative takes and genuine moments of levity on set. The included photo gallery and storyboard-to-screen comparisons further enrich the extras, providing a holistic view of the creative process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making-of Segment: In-depth look at effects work and narrative.
• Cast and Crew Interviews: Insights into directing and behind-the-scenes.
• Commentary Track: Detailed exploration of filmmaking nuances and challenges.
• Deleted Scenes: Alternative takes from the film.
• Blooper Reel: Genuine moments of levity on set.
• Photo Gallery: Visual insights from production.
• Storyboard-to-Screen Comparisons: Context on creative decision-making.

"The Drownsman" amalgamates the aquatic phobia of "Jaws" with the supernatural essence of "A Nightmare on Elm Street", crafting an intriguing yet ultimately conventional horror narrative. The film's storyline centers around Madison (Michelle Mylett), who after a near-drowning experience, develops hydrophobia. The antagonist, a supernatural entity called "The Drownsman", capitalizes on Madison's fear of water to terrorize her and her friends. Despite the unique premise, the film struggles with characters who lack depth and distinction, resulting in interchangeable and flat personalities. While the attempt to balance atmosphere, story, characterization, and scares is evident, the reliance on standard genre conventions and a derivative plot hinders the film's potential to stand out.

The movie does strike a fine balance between psychological tension and traditional horror elements, with commendable efforts in makeup, lighting, and attack sequences. However, the execution of its core idea is marred by a somewhat cumbersome script and twists that often veer into the territory of unintentional silliness. The antagonist, Sebastian Donner, though menacing initially, loses his impact when overexposed, lacking the memorable traits of iconic horror villains like Freddy Krueger. The film smartly avoids excessive gore in favor of maintaining a pervasive sense of dread, making everyday objects sources of terror—yet it fails to amplify this uniqueness effectively.

While "The Drownsman" borrows heavily from classic 80's horror tropes, it falls short of creating a new classic monster or delivering a memorable narrative. The film's Canadian production background is subtly noticeable through occasional slips in accents. Despite the visible effort in production value and some technically proficient scenes, the film ultimately positions itself as a somewhat forgettable addition within the crowded realm of straight-to-video horror offerings.

The Drownsman attempts to introduce a new and menacing slasher villain but falls short of its potential. The movie's premise is intriguing, blending supernatural elements with traditional slasher motifs, yet it fails to develop its characters sufficiently, particularly Madison and the titular killer. This lack of depth prevents the film from distinguishing itself within the crowded horror genre. Despite its shortcomings, "The Drownsman" manages to deliver a moody atmosphere that aligns well with its horror roots, relying more on eerie tension than excessive gore.

Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of "The Drownsman" offers solid technical performance. The video presentation is crisp, with a strong level of detail and excellent color contrast, enhancing the film's dark and foreboding aesthetic. Likewise, the audio quality is robust, providing clear dialogue and an immersive soundscape that heightens the film's suspenseful moments. However, the release is notably lacking in supplementary materials, which is a missed opportunity for fans looking to explore behind-the-scenes content or gain deeper insights into the film's production.

The Drownsman might have been a far superior movie given a little more attention to character detail on both ends, in Madison and the killer alike. There's a lot here to enjoy, a good atmosphere and a movie that plays to the genre's real strengths and less to the idea that more gore means better horror. But the movie never quite finds its own identity despite a relatively good working premise. Hopefully a sequel can bring out the best of a world that's primed for something better. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of The Drownsman features rock-solid video and audio. No supplements are included. Fans of 80s Horror should find enough to like here to make this one at least worth a rental or a solid buy at a bargain price.