Come to Daddy Blu-ray Review

Lionsgate Films presents "Come to Daddy" on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The overall presentation is highly commendable, displaying impressive detail that brings out the intricacies of both scenic locales and character facial features. The color palette is natural and vibrant, featuring especially rich blue tones and vibrant primary colors that enhance the viewing experience. Black levels are deep and inky, ensuring excellent shadow detail even in darker scenes, which is crucial as much of the film unfolds at night or in low lighting.

The film's use of Panavision lenses and the Millennium DXL2 camera suggests a DI finished at 2K, contributing to its high-quality visual output. However, some scenes, particularly those on the beach, appear slightly hazy. Similarly, sequences in the dungeon-like lair beneath the beach house can be a bit murky, although they still manage to showcase gruesome fine details of injuries. There are a few curious stylistic quirks, including askew framings that create a slight anamorphic stretch effect at the frame edges, which may distract some viewers.

Overall, "Come to Daddy" delivers a superb visual experience on Blu-ray with its striking details, bold colors, and excellent shadow saturation. Despite minor inconsistencies in clarity during specific scenes, the transfer retains a three-dimensional depth that pulls viewers into its compelling visual narrative.

The Blu-Ray release of "Come to Daddy" boasts an exemplary DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that delivers an engaging and immersive audio experience. This track masterfully uses discrete channelization to enhance the background ambiance, particularly in the movie's seaside setting, capturing the ocean's roar with remarkable clarity. The atmospheric sounds, such as the strange banging and clanging noises echoing throughout the house, are crisply rendered, adding a layer of tension and intrigue to the viewing experience. Additionally, the dialogue is consistently clear and intelligible, ensuring viewer engagement during the film’s pivotal exchanges.

For most of "Come to Daddy," the mix maintains a dialogue-centric balance, fostering a potboiler atmosphere that emphasizes character interplay over dynamic sound effects. However, during heightened moments of action, the audio mix takes on a more pronounced and engaging presence. The rear and side channels effectively handle the ambient sounds, while low-frequency effects (LFE) kick in strategically to amplify suspense and drama. Karl Steven's score is integrated without any noticeable issues, supporting the film's mood seamlessly. The inclusion of optional English and Spanish subtitles adds another layer of accessibility, rounding out what is an all-around effective audio presentation.

The bonus features on the "Come to Daddy" Blu-ray are minimal and predominantly consist of trailers for other Lionsgate releases, which many reviewers do not consider valuable as special features. There is a distinct lack of substantive content like behind-the-scenes footage, cast and crew interviews, or featurettes that add depth and insight into the film's production and story. The absence of meaningful extras can be disappointing for those looking for a more in-depth exploration beyond the main feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailers for Other Lionsgate Releases: Promotional content for other Lionsgate films.
• Bookmarking Feature: Functionality to bookmark certain scenes for later reference.

“Come to Daddy,” directed by Ant Timpson from a screenplay by Tony Harvard, leverages Elijah Wood’s melancholic yet engaging performance to explore the multifaceted relationship between estranged father Brian (Stephen McHattie) and son Norval Greenwood. The film opens with an uneasy reunion at Brian's remote beachside home, setting the stage for a tense potboiler thriller. Initial awkward reestablishment of their relationship quickly devolves into violence and misdirection, transforming what appears to be a standard family drama into a landscape of psychological horror and dark comedy. The compelling dynamics between Wood and McHattie ground the first half in a fraught yet believable tension. However, the narrative pivots sharply when Brian dies of a heart attack, leaving Norval to handle an escalating series of bizarre events.

As Norval navigates through unsettling discoveries—like the realization that the corpse he thought was his father isn't—“Come to Daddy” veers into hyper-violent dark comedy. This shift brings new characters into the fray, including Michael Smiley’s menacing Jethro and Martin Donovan as Norval's actual father, resulting in a manic final act filled with grotesque humor and bodily immolations. These later scenes tread a fine line between black comedy and outright horror, featuring memorable but divisive moments such as a brutal barbecue fork incident. While the abrupt tonal changes and added characters may polarize viewers, they provide a platform for inventive set pieces and escalating stakes that keep the audience engaged.

Overall, "Come to Daddy" thrives on its initial tension and character interplay but grapples for consistency in its latter half. The blend of tense psychological thriller with dark comedic elements requires full immersion, which the film achieves intermittently. Despite its tonal unevenness, the movie's unique narrative choices and Wood’s strong performance offer a compellingly twisted story that stands out in its genre.

Lionsgate’s Blu-ray release of "Come to Daddy" brings this darkly humorous and twisted thriller to life with a solid technical presentation. The film explores a unique premise that begins with a strong initial hook, yet it ultimately stretches its credibility and somewhat overplays its conceptual hand. Elijah Wood is undeniably the linchpin of the film, delivering a standout performance that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. The single-disc set offers excellent video quality, ensuring vibrant and sharp visuals that complement the film’s twisted narrative style. The audio mix is equally effective, providing an immersive experience without any notable flaws.

While "Come to Daddy" may not feature any bonus content, its absence is partially overshadowed by the sheer enjoyment of the film’s unexpectedly dark humor and thrilling sequences. The movie parallels an eerie vibe reminiscent of 1972's "You'll Like My Mother," but with a significantly more grotesque and contemporary edge. Though the story might veer into exaggerated territory, fans of the genre will appreciate the balance of suspense, horror, and black comedy.

For those who enjoy a blend of horror and dark comedy, "Come to Daddy" stands as a worthwhile entertainment choice. Despite its imperfections, the film benefits from Elijah Wood's performance and offers a technically sound Blu-ray presentation. It might not be groundbreaking, but it certainly provides an engaging watch with some uniquely twisted moments.

For a number of reasons, it might be fun for some fans to pair this film with "You'll Like My Mother" for an interesting double feature. This particular outing perhaps relies on an even more preposterous artifice than the old 1972 opus with Patty Duke does, but this film also has a decidedly dark sense of humor that the earlier film is lacking. Technical merits are generally solid for those who are considering a purchase.