Stigmata Blu-ray Review

Stigmata is presented on Blu-ray by Scream Factory with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer framed in a 2.36:1 aspect ratio. While the transfer showcases the intentional stylized color adjustments and contrast boosting employed by director Rupert Wainwright, these choices often lead to notable inconsistencies. Whites tend to bloom, warmer hues lose vibrancy, and much of the film exhibits a soft, grainy texture reminiscent of Super 16mm film. The transferred imagery generally sacrifices fine detail due to grain clumping, particularly in darker scenes, and highlights occasionally clip, limiting the overall clarity.

Furthermore, the provided master appears older, with a significant amount of edge enhancement evident, which at times gives the impression of a layer of cheesecloth obscuring the image. Despite this, retained film grain does contribute a certain level of textual detail, especially noticeable in close-up shots where skin textures and fabric details are clearer. However, deficiencies such as flat depth and motion blur detract from the overall image quality. Black levels, although inky and helpful in masking some of the dated master’s issues, also contribute to occasional crushing and hidden detail.

In terms of color reproduction, Stigmata’s aesthetic leans towards a dingy and grimy palette with cool hues prevailing across scenes. Flesh tones adapt appropriately to the lighting but often lack detail beyond close-ups. The print displays minor speckling and dirt, combined with issues like compression artifacts and aliasing, contributing to a viewing experience that is faithful to the original film's look yet marred by age-related transfer imperfections. Despite its flaws, the Blu-ray presentation maintains a film-like quality, ensuring it remains watchable.

The Blu-ray release of "Stigmata" features commendable DTS-HD Master Audio mixes available in both 5.1 and 2.0 formats. While the 5.1 mix does not rank among the most immersive horror-supernatural soundtracks, it delivers notable spatial recreations during critical scenes, such as Frankie's initial attacks. There are moments when ambient environmental sounds dot the surrounds, although the mix is predominantly front-heavy. Dialogue clarity is maintained across the track, though its prioritization sometimes falters. The score, crafted by Billy Corgan and Elia Cmiral, is effectively integrated into the surround channels but can occasionally dominate the audio landscape over other elements. Overall, the 5.1 mix provides a dynamic surround sound experience, highlighting key moments without causing any significant distortion.

For those opting for the stereo mix, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 track offers excellent audio quality but lacks the stability and resonance of the 5.1 mix. The Stereo presentation remains competent, capturing the dialogue and sound effects with precision while rendering Corgan's music with crystal clarity. Both tracks manage to keep the midrange frequencies balanced, though sudden audio spikes during intense moments like Frankie's stigmatic whipping add a designed element of surprise without causing distracting distortions.

Despite some minor issues with audio jumbles and dialogue prioritization, "Stigmata"'s audio presentation is a solid entry into the realm of lossless audio. The 5.1 track excels during action sequences and enhances the spooky ambiance via rear speaker activity, albeit sparingly. The low-frequency extension is somewhat understated, contributing to jump scares and supporting the score minimally. Nevertheless, both the 5.1 and 2.0 tracks ensure that dialogue remains clear and audible, making each a viable option depending on viewing preferences.

The Blu-ray release of "Stigmata" boasts a comprehensive array of extras, predominantly carried over from previous DVD editions without remastering. The Audio Commentary by Director Rupert Wainwright is particularly engaging, providing insight into the film's distinct visual style, developed in collaboration with cinematographer Jeffrey L. Kimball. The Deleted Scenes offer a glimpse into the cutting room decisions, including an alternate ending, though their standard-definition quality is noticeable. The Theatrical Trailer is a nostalgic piece of late '90s marketing. The Divine Rites Featurette delves into the making of the film, while the Incredible But True Featurette presents an intriguing, if melodramatic, History Channel special on the phenomenon of stigmata. Finally, the Natalie Imbruglia Music Video features her song "Identify" from the film's soundtrack, evoking a sense of late '90s nostalgia.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Rupert Wainwright discusses production details.
• Deleted Scenes: Standard definition clips including an alternate ending.
• Theatrical Trailer: Promotional trailer of the film.
• Divine Rites Featurette: Behind-the-scenes making-of featurette.
• Incredible But True Featurette: History Channel special on stigmata.
• Natalie Imbruglia Music Video: "Identify" music video from the soundtrack.

"Stigmata" delves into the supernatural realm of religious phenomena with a mix of intrigue and bewilderment. Frankie Paige, played by Patricia Arquette, experiences the stigmata despite being an atheist, igniting a series of events involving the Roman Catholic Church. The narrative's strength lies in its exploration of intriguing theological conundrums while simultaneously keeping suspense alive. Director Rupert Wainwright and cinematographer Jeffrey L. Kimball deliver a visually diverse but sometimes inconsistent presentation, influenced notably by a '90s alternative music video aesthetic. The unconventional use of lighting and dynamic camera angles create a compelling atmosphere but can feel disjointed and overly stylized.

Gabriel Byrne takes on the serious role of Father Andrew Kiernan, a Jesuit priest and paranormal investigator who is tasked with discerning the authenticity of Frankie's bizarre experiences. Kiernan’s investigation into bleeding statues and ancient texts weaves a mystery thriller with strong religious overtones. However, the film’s ambition to tackle multiple thematic layers results in a somewhat convoluted plotline that can feel overly coincidental and stretched. Jonathan Pryce’s portrayal of the manipulative Cardinal Houseman adds an element of ecclesiastical politics, though his characterization occasionally borders on caricature.

Performance-wise, Patricia Arquette stands out for her dedication to the role of Frankie, despite the script’s limitations. Byrne lends a weighty presence reminiscent of Max Von Sydow in "The Exorcist," and Jonathan Pryce contributes to the narrative complexity. However, inconsistencies in tone and performance balance detract from the film’s cohesion. Furthermore, Billy Corgan’s scoring, intended to heighten the film's ambiance, falls short of making a lasting impact. Despite its flaws, "Stigmata" offers a unique take on possession and religious mysteries, positioning itself as more of an exploration of faith and conspiracy rather than straightforward horror.

"Stigmata" is a complex film with stylistic flourish and an intriguing premise, but it suffers from an overabundance of plotlines and an overreliance on exposition in the third act. The performances by Gabriel Byrne and Patricia Arquette are notable, albeit somewhat inconsistent in believability. Unfortunately, some supporting roles verge on caricature, which affects the overall cohesion of the film. Despite these issues, the Scream Factory Blu-ray release offers a range of supplements that should appeal to dedicated fans.

The technical presentation on this Blu-ray is mixed. While the updated DTS-HD MA audio track performs admirably, delivering a robust and immersive sound experience, the video quality reveals the limitations of its dated image master. Artifacts and less-than-stellar visuals mar what could have been a more polished presentation. However, it's still deemed an improvement over preceding DVD releases. The special features are well-portioned, including engaging featurettes on the historical aspects of stigmatic experiences, lending additional context and depth.

Overall, "Stigmata" on Blu-ray is worth considering for long-time fans or those interested in religious horror. Though the film does not quite achieve its ambitious storytelling goals and the visual presentation has room for improvement, the superior audio quality and thoughtful bonus content provide added value to the release. It stands as a compelling, if flawed, cinematic experience with some worthwhile moments made more accessible by this edition.