Haunt Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Haunt" showcases a visually compelling experience despite the film's predominantly dark and nocturnal settings. The use of lighting is meticulously crafted, offering vibrant blue and red washes during the nightmarish sequences and brighter industrial yellows that enhance visibility. This Blu-ray presentation captures facial surfaces and the textures of bodily harm and body modification with excellent detail, bringing out the eerie artificiality of the masks and the dimensionality of the haunted house's rooms.

The encoding is MPEG-4 AVC with a 1080p resolution, providing noteworthy clarity and detail. The opening sequences, featuring close-ups of the horror house preparations, exhibit a level of care that translates into exceptional clarity for viewers. Depth of field is adeptly managed, delivering an effective sense of dimensionality, particularly in suspenseful scenes such as the ghost room. Black levels are superb, maintaining strong shadow details without any noticeable crush, essential for the film's many night and indoor scenes. Color reproduction is equally impressive, with costume hues standing out vividly in well-lit environments while maintaining a natural balance.

Overall, character detail is robust with flesh tones appearing accurate and lifelike. The presentation is clean, devoid of noise or artifacts, which enhances the viewing experience and ensures that every gruesome detail is retained with precision. "Haunt" on Blu-ray offers a technically proficient video presentation that fans of horror will appreciate for its meticulous attention to detail and atmospheric depth.

The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix for "Haunt" excels in creating an enveloping atmosphere rather than an aggressive soundstage. Dialogue exchanges are clear and precise, seamlessly handling surges of panic without falling into distortion. This clarity aids in keeping the horror front and center, ensuring that every scream or tense conversation comes through effectively. The score is meticulously positioned, supporting but never overshadowing the other audio elements, adding layers to the overall sonic experience. Additionally, selected louder soundtrack pieces with heavier dance beats fill the surrounds, enhancing the immersive quality.

The dynamics of the lossless track are well-crafted, highlighting the specific choices that immerse viewers in the horror. Atmospheric effects are vivid, capturing room tone and group activity with a few separation effects that add to the tension. While sound effects sometimes take precedence over dialogue, this appears intentional and contributes to the film's unnerving atmosphere. The Surround Sound Presentation is well-balanced, ensuring that frights coming from all around are easily discernible without overshadowing the central action. Low-Frequency Extension moments, particularly those involving the score and chainsaws, effectively engage the LFE channel, adding to the visceral horror experience.

Overall, this audio presentation prioritizes enveloping viewers in a haunting atmosphere. The balance between dialogue, score, and sound effects is carefully managed, making it a technically impressive track for a horror film of this scale. Props to Skywalker Sound for enhancing this little movie’s audio landscape with detailed execution. The additional 2.0 DTS-HD track and English SDH subtitles provide further versatility for various viewing preferences, rounding out a compelling audio experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Haunt" are a comprehensive exploration of the film's creation, rich with detailed insights from cast and crew members. Key features include two engaging audio commentaries: one with directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, and another with actors portraying the film's central villains. The in-depth documentary "The Making of 'Haunt'" provides a thorough look into the film's production elements, although it relies heavily on interviews rather than behind-the-scenes footage. Various Q&A sessions from different event screenings offer additional perspectives. Supplementary materials such as deleted scenes, sound design discussions, and a compilation of directors' social media footage enrich the viewer's understanding. A nostalgic touch is added with "The Sleepover," an early short film by the directors. These extras are thoughtfully curated, offering substantial content for enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Intro: Directors express gratitude to fans.
• Commentary #1: Actors discussing film.
• Commentary #2: Directors' insights.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional character moments and outtakes.
• The Making of 'Haunt': Detailed documentary including interviews.
• Q&A at Egyptian Theater: Discussions post-screening with Eli Roth and directors.
• Q&A at Popcorn Frights Film Festival: Insights from directors and actors.
• Directors' Diary: Social media footage documenting the production.
• The Sound of 'Haunt': Sound design discussion at Skywalker Sound.
• The Sleepover: An early horror short by the directors.
• Behind the 'Haunt': Brief on-set interview about film development.
• Theatrical Trailer: Official movie trailer.

"Haunt," directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, brings together a talented mix of suspense and adrenaline, rooted in the rising trend of extreme haunts. The film situates itself on Halloween night, following Harper (Katie Stevens) and her friends as they venture into a seemingly innocuous haunted house which quickly devolves into a night of genuine terror. Woods and Beck, known for "A Quiet Place," partner with producer Eli Roth to weave a narrative that combines character-driven plot points with visceral horror elements. Harper’s personal struggle with an abusive relationship serves as the emotional anchor, albeit clumsily handled. Flashbacks to her traumatic childhood feel like overt attempts at depth. Despite this, the perilous framework they are engrossed in maintains enough momentum and gore to keep genre enthusiasts engaged.

Technically, "Haunt" benefits considerably from its atmospheric setting. Shot primarily on location in Kentucky, the meticulous design of the haunted house is palpable, with Ryan Samul’s sleek cinematography bringing out the nuances of enclosed spaces. The location works to the film’s advantage as the characters navigate dark, tight crawlspaces and face dangers ranging from real spiders to masked tormentors. The narrative may lean on predictable horror tropes, but what it lacks in originality, it compensates for with effective sound design from Skywalker Sound, bolstering the intricacies of every scare. Tomandandy’s score further enhances the intensity, creating an immersive experience that embeds viewers into the perilous maze.

The interplay between calculated suspense and grisly horror ensures that "Haunt" remains engaging, even if it strays into conventional territory. The faceless villains provide an adequate sense of dread, and while the movie relies heavily on familiar slasher motifs, its dedication to craft and atmosphere renders these clichés palatable. For audiences with a penchant for Halloween-themed horror and a tolerance for gore, "Haunt" offers a moderately thrilling experience underscored by quality filmmaking.

"Haunt" is a mixed bag in the horror-thriller category. While it boasts a unique haunted house attraction setting that Beck and Woods exploit effectively, the film struggles to build suspense consistently. The narrative often stalls with repetitive shots of characters navigating booby-trapped rooms, diluting the potential for escalating terror. Harper's personal storyline diverts attention, adding unnecessary pauses to what could have been an intense, unrelenting nightmare. Despite these shortcomings, "Haunt" still manages to deliver select moments of genuine shock, reflecting Beck and Woods' deep admiration for horror films.

The Blu-ray release of "Haunt" excels in its technical presentation. Viewers are treated to a high-definition picture quality and a robust audio experience that enhance the film’s atmospheric tension. Additionally, the disc is packed with informative extras, providing valuable insights into the film's production process. True to its genre, the supplementary content serves to immerse fans deeper into the world Beck and Woods so meticulously crafted.

For collectors and hardcore fans, the Ronin Flix Collector’s Edition is a standout. It includes exclusive memorabilia such as the film's soundtrack on CD, enamel pins of costume masks, and more. This edition caters exceptionally well to enthusiasts who appreciate tangible memorabilia and comprehensive behind-the-scenes access. Overall, despite its narrative flaws, "Haunt" delivers a decent horror experience with excellent technical features, making it worthy of consideration for horror aficionados.