The Lesson Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of The Lesson by Scream Factory presents the film using an AVC-encoded BD-25 format, boasting an average video bitrate of 23992 kbps and a total bitrate of 30.43 mbps. The film stays true to its original 1.78:1 theatrical aspect ratio, maintaining a thick layer of grain that lends a gritty, textured look to the visuals. Notably, the black-and-white flashback scenes and the heavy filter used during the climactic night scenes add a unique stylistic flair, highlighting the film's artistic direction.

The image quality, while intentionally dingy and sometimes bleached out, captures intricate details in clothing, hair, and environmental features. Low-lit scenes are particularly well-handled, with impressive detail retention despite the pervasive grain. Black levels are deep, eliminating some detail in the shadows but avoiding any noticeable crushing. Color reproduction is largely subdued and bleached, though greens remain vibrant and reds become prominent during the more intense scenes.

Skin tones continuously appear bleached, which seems to be an intentional choice by the filmmakers. Despite this aesthetic choice, details like freckles, makeup, wrinkles, and blemishes are still discernible. The overall transfer is robust, revealing minimal flaws and ensuring that the director's vision is faithfully represented on screen. Scene selections are divided into twelve chapters, providing a standard navigational structure for viewers.

The audio presentation of "The Lesson" on Blu-Ray offers two robust options: a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround and a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix thoroughly immerses you in the Oxfordshire countryside, capturing the natural ambience and the dynamic interactions among the characters. Dialogue clarity is commendable, and the English SDH subtitles assist in making sense of the characters' thick British accents. The uncompressed audio track effectively accentuates the folk songs and underscore, especially highlighting guitar playing and vocals through the surround channels.

The DTS-HD MA tracks, despite the film's low-budget roots, manage to provide a well-balanced audio experience. The mix appears solid, with music, vocals, and effects harmonizing seamlessly. Low-frequency extensions are apparent, with musical stings and dramatic effects resonating powerfully through a subwoofer. The surround sound presentation primarily directs action towards the front speakers while using the rear channels to support background ambience, ensuring motion is tracked effectively. Dialogue reproduction remains clear and clean throughout the film, contributing to an overall competent and satisfying audio experience.

The Blu-ray extras of "The Lesson" deliver a concise yet insightful collection into the filmmaking process and thematic exploration of this psychological drama. The disc's supplemental features display clarity in their presentation and valuable content that enhances the viewer's understanding of the film. Particularly notable is the depth provided by the director's commentary and the production featurettes, which meticulously delve into the creative and technical choices behind the movie. Pacing and audio quality are consistently high across all included features.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Scream Factory's official trailer for "The Lesson" presented in HD.

"The Lesson," directed by Ruth Platt in her feature debut, is an unsettling indie horror film that fosters an ambiance filled with tension and dread. The plot revolves around the Tindall brothers, Jake and Fin, who navigate their lives in a lower-income neighborhood in rural Oxfordshire. With a absent father and a deceased mother, the siblings' bond is harsh and strained, particularly with Jake treating Fin as more of a nuisance than kin. Fin, soon turning sixteen, spirals into delinquency under the influence of his friend Joel, culminating in destructive antics that place them at odds with their new English teacher, Mr. Gale.

Cinematographer Oskar Kudlacik's imagery provides striking contrasts between the open, freewheeling spaces Fin roams and the suffocating confinement he later endures. This equilibrium shifts dramatically following an act of vandalism that pushes Mr. Gale over the edge. What ensues is a bleak descent into a gruesome 'lesson' held in a workshop-turned-torture chamber. This educator-turned-tormentor punishes Fin and Joel with exacting brutality under the guise of imparting an education on literary greats such as Blake, Bronte, and Golding. Platt's erudite background brings depth to Mr. Gale's disturbing sermons, transforming what could have been mindless gore into a complex psychological thriller.

Despite its intelligent subtext and notable technical execution, "The Lesson" struggles to maintain engagement due to an overstretched runtime and underdeveloped characters. The protagonists are predominantly unsympathetic, making it difficult for viewers to invest emotionally in their plight. The film's intensity and innovative premise are overshadowed by repetitive themes and unconvincing motivations, leading to a narrative that loses its grip long before the climactic final act. While Platt's approach offers intrigue and bursts of genuine horror, the film's overall impact is diluted by its laborious pacing and lack of relatability, resulting in a mixed reception from audiences.

"The Lesson" is a British horror thriller by debut director Ruth Platt. The film straddles the line between psychological horror and torture porn, although it leans towards the latter genre. Platt's work, celebrated for its intelligent screenplay, delves into dark, thought-provoking themes while intertwining moments of sheer gore and suspense. The narrative offers astute literary and pop culture references, providing depth that surpasses the typical horror flick.

Robert Hands and Evan Bendall deliver compelling performances that elevate the film, supported by Platt's erudite and darkly comedic script. Comparisons to "Class of 1984" are inevitable due to the exploration of similar social issues. However, "The Lesson" sets itself apart with its unique approach to character dynamics and thematic resonance. Fans of the genre will appreciate the film's nuanced take on familiar tropes, although it might not be for everyone due to its intense nature.

Scream Factory's Blu-ray release does justice to the film through an excellent audiovisual presentation. The transfer, despite inherent limitations in the source material's visual quality, is commendable. The sound design captures the film's eerie atmosphere effectively. While the absence of extensive extras might deter potential buyers, the overall package is solid. Consider renting or streaming for an initial viewing to gauge compatibility with your taste before committing to a purchase.

The Lesson is an intelligent and creepy British horror thriller from first-time director Ruth Platt. The film is torture porn lite (especially compared to genre offerings since the mid-2000s) but will satisfy fans with its prolonged moments of sheer gore and terrific suspense. In addition to the fine performances by leads Robert Hands and Evan Bendall, Platt's screenplay shines with erudition and dark comic wit. Fans of Class of 1984 will see some similarities in the social issues portrayed in both films. Scream Factory delivers excellent presentations in the video and audio departments. The Lesson is not for the faint-hearted but it's worth taking a chance on to learn from the literary and pop culture references that its narrative invokes.