The Barrens Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Barrens" carries the unique visual charm of its 16mm and Super 16mm roots. The transfer by Anchor Bay captures the essence of the original photography exceptionally well, preserving the film’s grain structure to maintain a genuine filmic texture. This grain retention is particularly effective in evoking the gritty, '70s and '80s horror aesthetic, lending a nostalgic credibility often absent in modern high-definition digital productions.

While fine detail isn't overly abundant, with textures on clothes, faces, and environments appearing somewhat soft, the image does shine in specific moments. Instances where fine details of actors' faces or the wilderness emerge provide surprising clarity against the otherwise slightly dim and cold color tones. Night scenes present decent detail and contrast, maintaining deep and inky blacks. However, daytime sequences occasionally exhibit blooming whites, likely due to night-for-day shooting techniques. Surprisingly, despite a few washed-out black levels, the color palette remains robust, effectively highlighting the earthy greens of the forest and the striking crimson hues of the extensive blood scenes.

Overall, despite a few minor imperfections, the Blu-ray transfer of "The Barrens" stands as a solid example of how well old cinematic techniques can be adapted for modern high-definition displays. Its grainy, textured presentation beautifully complements the moody and atmospheric storytelling, making it an essential watch for horror enthusiasts who appreciate a classic look and feel.

The Blu-ray of "The Barrens" features a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack that delivers an impeccable auditory experience, suitable for the film's atmospheric horror. The woodland ambience is particularly noteworthy, showcasing clarity, precise spacing, and impressive immersion. The musical score benefits from excellent spatial distribution and top-notch clarity, often displaying a rich, deep sound complemented by just the right amount of surround support. Rainfall effects, as heard in chapter seven, saturate the soundstage with precision, enhancing the immersion. Supportive sound effects, from the bustling campground to the fluttering birds and darker horror elements, are full-bodied and precisely spaced.

Dialogue is crisp and consistently focused around the center speaker, ensuring clarity and evenness throughout. The front channels handle most of the score and dialogue superbly, maintaining balance without allowing either to overshadow the other. Rear channels add atmospheric sounds that enhance the overall immersive quality, essential for effective horror storytelling. The LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) channels excellently represent both the film's score and its sound effects, producing appropriately deep sounds primarily through the front speakers. Despite the film's low budget, "The Barrens" ensures that dialogue remains a priority while incorporating all necessary elements for a well-rounded audio experience suitable for a horror movie.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Barrens" provide a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain of the film's production, enhanced by the candidness of Writer/Director Darren Lynn Bousman and Director of Photography Joseph White. The audio commentary stands out as a highly engaging component, covering an array of topics such as their working relationship, shooting locations, thematic elements, stylistic choices, character development, and cast performances. Particularly notable is Bousman's forthrightness about the film’s budget constraints, the challenges of a 20-day shoot, and his mixed emotions regarding the final product. The deleted scene offers an insightful extended ending intended for foreign markets, with Bousman explaining the decision-making process behind it while musing on the potential for a sequel. Collectively, these extras provide a well-rounded, technical, and authentic look at the film's creation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insights from Writer/Director Darren Lynn Bousman and Director of Photography Joseph White.
• Deleted Scene: Extended ending with optional commentary by Bousman and White.

Darren Lynn Bousman's "The Barrens" ambitiously melds multiple horror subgenres—psychological drama, creature feature, and family dynamics—into one narrative. However, this unique concoction struggles to coalesce into a compelling whole. The film follows Richard Vineyard (Stephen Moyer), who takes his blended family on a camping trip to the Pine Barrens to spread his late father's ashes. The family dynamics are realistically detailed: his daughter Sadie (Allie MacDonald) resents her new stepmother Cynthia (Mia Kirshner), while his young son Danny (Peter DaCunha) is more interested in a lost family dog than the trip. This familial tension is compounded by the discovery of a mutilated animal and ominous campfire stories about the Jersey Devil, which intensify the psychological suspense.

Technically, "The Barrens" makes strong use of its atmospheric woodland setting to build tension. The 16mm film presentation lends a tactile, gritty quality that harmonizes with the psychological terror underlying the narrative. Unfortunately, despite promising elements, the film's structure feels disjointed. Attempts to intermix traditional horror scares with deep psychological tension and emotional drama often result in a muddled storyline that never fully integrates its dispersed components. Richard's gradual descent into madness—mirroring themes from "The Shining"—raises questions about his sanity and the true nature of the threats they face, but inconsistent character behaviors and an overreliance on flashbacks and red herrings dilute the impact.

The cast's performances, especially Moyer's portrayal of a man teetering on the brink of insanity, effectively anchor the film. Mia Kirshner and the younger actors also deliver convincing performances, adding depth to their otherwise conventional roles. Despite the strong acting and atmospheric buildup, "The Barrens" falters in delivering a cohesive tension-filled narrative, ultimately resulting in a denouement that feels unearned. The film’s potential for psychological and supernatural horror remains stifled by its inability to maintain a focused blend of its ambitious thematic elements.

Darren Lynn Bousman offers an intricate mix of psychological drama and horror with "The Barrens." This film attempts to transform the classic campfire tale into a modern thriller, interweaving fear, uncertainty, and emotional turmoil. Unfortunately, while Bousman manages to unearth a compelling narrative, the execution sometimes feels overstuffed with secondary elements that detract from its core strengths. Despite this, "The Barrens" does succeed in delivering notable performances from a proficient cast, who work admirably within the confines of a low-budget production.

Technically, the Blu-ray release from Anchor Bay impresses with superb video and audio quality, highlighting the film's visual and auditory elements effectively. However, supplementary content is somewhat lacking, which might leave fans wanting more. Viewing the film through the lens of its production constraints, particularly being shot in under 20 days, adds an extra layer of appreciation for Bousman's craftsmanship. The commitment to storytelling and performance makes it an intriguing experience, albeit not fully realized in its potential.

In conclusion, "The Barrens" encapsulates a solid effort from a director passionate about creating original material outside mainstream franchises. Although it falls short in maintaining a consistent focus, the combination of strong acting and technical merits makes it worth watching. Whether you're a dedicated fan of Stephen Moyer or interested in supporting indie horror films, this Blu-ray release comes recommended as a rental and a worthwhile addition for collectors.