What the Waters Left Behind Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "What the Waters Left Behind" by Unearthed Films and MVD Visual is a visually striking effort, boasting an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.50:1 aspect ratio. The digital cinematography ensures the film looks crisp and exceptionally detailed throughout its runtime. The varied and evocative color grading, which features a distinctive coolish blue-green-yellow palette in several outdoor scenes, enhances the film's eerie atmosphere. Moreover, drone footage offers intriguing aerial views of Epecuén, although some shots may appear at a lower resolution, subtly impacting uniformity.

Gorgeously grim in its aesthetic, the film's moodiness is further bolstered by impeccable color correction and razor-sharp 1080P video quality provided by the HD presentation. The overall digital intermediate translates brilliantly with no issues detected in the AVC encode. The BD-25 format maintains superior clarity and exceptional definition throughout the 94-minute main feature. This slasher film's visual prowess is highlighted by its impressive fine detail and shadow delineation, ensuring every gory detail is rendered with unflinching precision. The inclusion of intentionally ragged-looking faux documentary footage adds an authentic texture to the overall experience.

"What the Waters Left Behind" delivers an impressively vivid DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track in the original Spanish, with optional English subtitles. The soundtrack is aggressively mixed, effectively utilizing a dense and relentless score highlighted by guitar-centric rock cues from Luciano Onetti. The surround channels are actively engaged not only during musical sequences but also through well-placed ambient environmental sounds in the film's numerous outdoor scenes. The horror elements are accentuated by visceral, stomach-churning sound effects that enhance the bodily harm depicted. Dialogue is consistently clear and well-balanced throughout the track, ensuring intelligibility and contributing to an overall problem-free audio experience. Additionally, there is a robust LPCM 2.0 stereo option that at times provides a more focused rendition of the score.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA surround presentation offers discrete channel activity and exceptional dynamic range, creating a convincing slasher atmosphere. The film’s audio design excels in its intelligent placement of environmental cues and scream-filled slasher sequences designed to heighten tension and immerse the viewer. The low-end impact and clean separation between channels support an intense and engaging listening experience. Echoing stylistic choices from films like "Hostel," the surround field is expertly utilized to generate a palpable sense of dread, with blood-curdling screams transitioning seamlessly across the audio field. The production values of the film extend seamlessly to its finely layered surround audio, making the auditory experience notably theatrical and visceral. Optional English subtitles are available in a yellow font that positions partially outside the scope, ensuring readability without detracting from the viewing experience.

What the Waters Left Behind" Blu-ray, distributed by MVD Visual for Unearthed Films, offers a modest selection of extras that highlight various aspects of production. Reviewing the disc’s technical content, the features, while minimal, are well-executed. Film Footage (6:57) includes raw, silent behind-the-scenes clips set to the film’s intense rock score, giving insight into the scene setups. An Image Gallery presents 53 high-definition stills advancing automatically with accompanying guitar solos. The disc also includes trailers for "What the Waters Left Behind" and multiple Unearthed Films releases, although these are a mix of SD and HD.

Extras included in this disc:

Film Footage: Raw, behind-the-scenes footage from the movie’s set with no dialogue.

Image Gallery: 53 still photographs and shots taken from the production, advancing automatically.

Trailers: Includes "What the Waters Left Behind" and other Unearthed Films releases like "Dark Side of the Moon," "Gutterballs," "Nightwish," and "Unnamable.

"What the Waters Left Behind" by co-directors Luciano and Nicolás Onetti is an homage to classic horror, drawing clear inspiration from "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" and other seminal works like "The Hills Have Eyes." Set in the hauntingly desolate remains of Villa Epecuén, Argentina, the Onetti brothers utilize the real-life apocalyptic landscape—destroyed by a freak flood in 1985—as an evocative backdrop for their narrative. The visual impact of the location cannot be overstated; it provides a uniquely eerie atmosphere that underscores the menacing tone of the film.

The plot follows a group of young documentary filmmakers navigating the ruins to interview one of the few survivors, Carla (Victoria Maurette). The journey quickly turns nightmarish as they encounter malevolent figures, subtly aligning with the familiar redneck slasher tropes. The directors' use of found footage elements, though brief, adds a layer of authenticity and tension. The film’s first half effectively builds suspense with relatively restrained gore, leveraging its striking locale and stylish cinematography.

Despite its lack of groundbreaking originality, "What the Waters Left Behind" stands out through its visceral imagery and relatable characters. The latter half of the film plunges into more graphic and brutal scenes, flirting with torture porn territory, which might alienate some viewers while thrilling hardcore horror enthusiasts. The Onetti brothers’ work remains impactful through its execution of classic horror elements without pandering to mainstream audiences. They’ve created a slasher that underscores Hollywood's retreat from the genre, embracing its grittier aspects while delivering a taut, suspenseful story that satisfies long-starved horror fans.

Review 1: "What the Waters Left Behind" is a captivating slasher that utilizes its unique setting in the abandoned town of Epecuén to craft an eerie atmosphere. The Blu-ray transfer is impressive, with stunning visual clarity that enhances the decayed, post-apocalyptic environment. Audio is equally strong, featuring a stirring guitar-driven soundtrack that complements the chaos on screen.

Review 2: The film's visuals are its strong suit, leveraging the haunting location of Epecuén to maximum effect. The story may tread familiar ground, but the Onetti brothers bring enough stylistic flair to make it stand out. The Blu-ray offers a solid audio-visual experience that holds up well under scrutiny, despite a somewhat lackluster plot.

Review 3: While "What the Waters Left Behind" doesn't reinvent the wheel, it stands as a competent homage to classic slasher films. The real star is the backdrop of Epecuén, with the film's gritty aesthetic amplified by a high-quality Blu-ray presentation. Viewers seeking technical excellence won't be disappointed, although the narrative leaves much to be desired.

Review 4: This Blu-ray release of "What the Waters Left Behind" provides an effective combination of sharp visuals and an engagingly raw soundtrack. The decimated town serves as a perfect canvas for the film's horror elements. Although the story is predictable, the film's execution and technical merits make it a noteworthy addition to any genre enthusiast's collection.

"What the Waters Left Behind" stands out as a commendable entry in the slasher genre, largely due to its meticulous use of Epecuén's haunting environment. The Onetti brothers' directorial prowess is evident as they weave compelling visuals and a frenzied, guitar-drenched soundtrack into the narrative. While the plot may venture into familiar territory, it is elevated by its aesthetic execution and eerie atmosphere.

The Blu-ray presentation shines through with impressive visual fidelity, capturing the decayed beauty of Epecuén in every frame. The audio track is robust, aligning well with the film’s chaotic tone and adding depth to the overall viewing experience. Even though the storyline lacks originality, the technical aspects—the crisp picture quality and enveloping sound—more than compensate for any narrative shortcomings.

In doing some background research for this review, I discovered that there's a documentary about a real-life survivor of Epecuén entitled Pablo's Villa, which I really wish Unearthed Films and MVD Visual had somehow been able to license and include here (for those interested, it's on YouTube in segments for some reason, but you can start by searching The Last Man of Epecuen on that site). The location is what gives this film its real flavor (cannibalism notwithstanding), and that alone may be enough to recommend it to some. The story here is beyond trite, but both the setting and some of the Onettis' distinctive stylistic approaches give this film considerable visual impact, with a frenzied guitar-drenched soundtrack also adding to the overall effort. Technical merits are solid for those considering a purchase.