The Humans Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Humans," distributed by Lionsgate Films, features an AVC encoded 1080p transfer with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, sourced from Arri Alexa XT captures and a 2K digital intermediate. While Arri Alexa's capture in middling light is noted for its softness, it manifests here as a yellowish murkiness with a scrim-like haze overlaying several scenes. This stylistic choice is visually apparent, playing into the film’s thematic elements. Nevertheless, the transfer handles detail exceptionally well during extreme close-ups, highlighting intricate textures and expressions.

The deliberate Impressionistic approach is evident, especially in scenes viewed through mottled glass, where the lack of sharpness is a creative choice by director Karam and cinematographer Lol Crawley. The overall contrast appears slightly anemic, likely compounded by the pervasive hazy yellow tint. Despite these stylistic and directorial decisions, the Blu-ray presentation maintains technical proficiency with no noted compression artifacts, preserving the film's intended visual narrative effectively.

The Blu-ray of "The Humans" presents a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that expertly balances nuance and impact, although its necessity could be debated due to the film's confined settings. This sound mix excels in delivering a crystal-clear audio experience, with exceptional reproduction of both subtle and overt audio cues. The film's eclectic score by Nico Muhly is given a robust presence, offering texture and tonal depth that enrich the narrative. Dialogue is distinct and textured, delivering excellent clarity and room penetration.

This soundtrack shines through its adept handling of low-level off-camera sounds and powerfully punctuated elements intended to enhance on-screen dynamics. Surround activity, while sometimes restrained by the film’s spatial setting, efficiently heightens the experience when engaged, utilizing discrete channelization effectively to support the atmospheric nature of the plot. The mix punctuates sudden bursts of LFE powerfully, contributing to the film’s suspenseful ambiance.

Remaining faithful to the director's vision, this audio track remarkably manages both near-field sounds and panning sweeps with accuracy, enhancing immersion with its directional soundscape. Despite the dialogue-driven nature of the film, the mix stands out for its use of atmospheric ambience and directionality that create an enveloping experience. English and Spanish subtitles complement this well-executed audio presentation, which achieves an engaging auditory accompaniment that accentuates the film’s thematic elements.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Humans" offer a concise yet insightful glimpse into the film's creation and creative process, presented in a professional manner. The inclusion of an Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Stephen Karam provides deep insights into the narrative structure and character motivations. The featurette Our Ruffled Spirits: Making The Humans acts as an Electronic Press Kit with interviews and film snippets, though it lacks extensive behind-the-scenes footage, which might leave some viewers wanting more. The Outtakes provide a lighthearted look beyond the film's innately tense atmosphere and are sure to amuse. Added bonuses include a digital copy and a slipcover, enhancing the overall value for collectors. These thoughtfully curated extras cater well to enthusiasts eager to delve deeper into the filmmaking nuances.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: In-depth insights from Writer/Director Stephen Karam.
• Our Ruffled Spirits: Making The Humans: EPK with interviews and film snippets.
• Outtakes: Amusing deleted scenes.
• Digital Code: Allows for digital viewing.

Stephen Karam's directorial debut, "The Humans," adapted from his Tony Award-winning play, delivers an experience that blurs the lines between drama and horror without needing a supernatural antagonist. The film follows three generations of the Blake family converging in a dilapidated Manhattan apartment for Thanksgiving. As night falls, the family's underlying tensions and fears surface, matched audibly by unsettling sound design that further amplifies the palpable unease. Karam's penchant for the horror genre is evident in his commentary on the Blu Ray, as jump scares punctuate the emotional turbulence throughout the narrative.

The transition from stage to screen retains the powerful ensemble dynamic Karam refined during the play's Broadway run. Richard Jenkins steps into the role of family patriarch Erik Blake, alongside Jayne Houdyshell reprising her Tony-winning portrayal of Deirdre Blake. Despite the play's accolade for Best Ensemble, Karam largely recasts the roles, save for Houdyshell, highlighting a shift in interpretative focus. The narrative gradually teases out past familial discord, leading to a climactic revelation from Erik that Karam intentionally frames in an oblique manner, maintaining an air of mystery and unresolved tension.

Visually, "The Humans" employs a unique mise-en-scène, with its set design meticulously crafted to resemble an old Manhattan apartment's cramped quarters. Karam often obscures the audience's view through arched doorways or distorted windows, mirroring the characters' fractured emotions. This visual ambiguity aligns with the sound design’s role in injecting unease into the film's milieu. "The Humans" excels in encapsulating themes of pervasive domestic strife and existential dread, making Brigid’s apartment a stark metaphor for worn family ties and emotional scars, conveyed with both precision and depth.

"The Humans" Blu-ray delivers a technically robust and engaging presentation that effectively translates the stage play's intense, intimate atmosphere to the screen. While fans of the original cast may miss some of the Broadway actors, the film benefits from Amy Schumer’s and Beanie Feldstein’s performances, which add layers of complexity and engagement amidst its compelling ensemble cast. Special mention goes to the standout portrayal by Houdyshell, whose impact on the narrative might incite some viewers to wonder if more of the original stage cast should have been retained for the film.

This Blu-ray edition is technically sound, offering a crisp audio-visual experience that enhances the emotional nonverbal communication so essential to the drama. The video quality highlights subtle nuances in lighting and set design that amplify the film's thematic tension, while the audio precision captures every dialogue exchange and incidental soundscape with clarity. The directors and production team have successfully adapted these elements to create an immersive home viewing experience that remains true to the theatrical roots.

In conclusion, "The Humans" stands out as a recommended choice for those who appreciate intimate family dramas with a penchant for suspenseful moments. Although the transition from stage to screen subtly alters some dynamics, it provides a fresh perspective on the narrative, backed by solid technical merits. The film may not appeal to all demographics, but it's a noteworthy addition for any cinema enthusiast looking for a poignant, authentic story that retains high production values in its Blu-ray distribution.