The Rental Blu-ray Review

"The Rental" on Blu-ray delivers an impressive AVC encoded 1080p image with a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, successfully capturing the film's moody cinematography. The presentation maintains the dark, atmospheric aesthetic, featuring limited light sources that transition from daytime to nighttime. The colors exhibit a warm palette indoors, reflected in both interiors and costuming, while outdoor scenes are bathed in moonlight. A subdued rustic tone is achieved with lush but restrained primaries that enhance the film's look. Skin tones remain natural, and the fine detailing is evident in facial features and clothing textures.

The contrast levels are stable, ensuring black levels hold well even in shadows. However, some outdoor foggy scenes introduce visual noise and artifacting, particularly during the climax where banding is noticeable. Despite these minor issues, the overall detail remains strong, with delineation preserving most frame information effectively. The image retains a cozy aesthetic enhanced by purposefully lensed softness, portraying settings like Alison Brie's sweaters against a chilly evening ocean breeze. The visual presentation effectively supports the film's narrative ambiance, making "The Rental" a technically competent and engaging viewing experience on Blu-ray.

The audio presentation of "The Rental" on Blu-ray delivers a nuanced listening experience, supported by both 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD MA audio tracks. The 5.1 track, in particular, excels in creating a suspenseful atmosphere that makes full use of the surround channels. The dialogue is impeccably clear and emotive, free from any hisses or pops, ensuring that the performances resonate deeply with the audience. The film's scoring is designed to instill a continuous sense of dread through deep orchestral swells and sharp instrumentation, effectively enveloping the viewer in a palpable tension.

Atmospheric elements play a pivotal role in the sound mix, making scenes ranging from quiet indoor settings to expansive cliff faces come alive with sonic depth. Mild panning and separation effects add to the immersive quality, while nature sounds and room tones provide an active and realistic auditory backdrop. While the low-end frequencies aren't overly dominant, they deliver significant impact during violent scenes, complementing the overall texture without overwhelming it. This meticulous attention to detail elevates the audio experience, making it an indispensable part of the film's eerie ambiance.

The Extras section on the Blu Ray of "The Rental" provides a concise overview of the making of the film, albeit without extensive content. The single featurette, "Behind the Scenes," delivers succinct interviews with both cast and crew, including Director Dave Franco, who discusses his directorial motivations and the film's intent to generate genuine fear through realistic characters. The highlight is its reflection on the oddities and anxieties surrounding the homesharing industry, which adds an intriguing dimension. However, the extras are minimal, and the absence of a commentary track is noticeable.

Extras included in this disc:

• Behind the Scenes: A brief look at the making of "The Rental" with interviews featuring cast and crew.
• Theatrical Trailer: The film's official theatrical trailer.

Dave Franco's directorial debut, "The Rental," offers a suspenseful and atmospheric examination of modern horror. The film explores the terrors lurking beneath the veneer of luxury vacation rentals, an emerging theme in genre entertainment. Co-scripted with Joe Swanberg, Franco crafts a narrative that balances eerie suspense with character-driven drama. The story revolves around two couples—Charlie (Dan Stevens), his girlfriend Michelle (Alison Brie), Charlie’s brother Josh (Jeremy Allen White), and his new girlfriend Mina (Sheila Vand)—who rent a secluded vacation home only to discover they are being secretly filmed. This premise not only sets up a suspenseful plot but also effectively explores the complex dynamics within the group.

The movie anchors its suspense through tight character development and a pervasive sense of dread. Franco’s deliberate pacing and methodical camera work, often likened to the slow and menacing movements of Michael Myers, add a visceral layer of tension. Franco and Swanberg excel at weaving small, cryptic details into the dialogue and setting, forcing viewers to stay engaged and constantly guess at the unfolding mystery. This is complemented by strong performances across the board. Dan Stevens and Sheila Vand excel in their roles, each bringing depth to their characters' strained relationships and internal conflicts. Alison Brie and Jeremy Allen White offer compelling contrast, adding layers of intrigue and tension.

"The Rental" successfully maintains high stakes through its runtime, transitioning from slow-burn suspense to moments of chilling horror. Its effectiveness lies not just in its scares, but in how it uses these elements to delve into themes of trust and paranoia. Franco's assured direction and the film’s atmospheric cinematography make this a noteworthy entry in modern horror, elevating it beyond typical genre fare. The story’s stark conclusion drives home a single, haunting message—trust no one.

Dave Franco’s directorial debut, "The Rental," emerges as a lean, atmospheric horror-thriller that successfully avoids traditional slasher tropes, leaning instead towards psychological dread and tension. The narrative closely examines the fallibility and poor impulse control of its characters, enriching the performance of the cast as their exhaustion blends precariously with self-preservation. While the third act delves into conventional horror elements with sequences involving chases in the dark and body disposal mishaps, it is the preceding acts' exploration of human frailty and interpersonal conflict that truly elevates the film.

The film's primary strength lies in its unsettling commentary on vacation rental culture, effectively capturing the shifting dynamics of safety and trust within such settings. Franco skillfully weaves moody textures into the plot, creating a bleak and dreadful atmosphere that keeps viewers on edge. When the film pivots towards its slasher tendencies, it does so with precision, offering a contrast that enriches the experience without undermining the persuasive psychological horror foundation.

Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release of "The Rental" offers an outstanding audiovisual presentation that heightens the film's immersive qualities, despite the sparse bonus features. This high-quality rendering makes for a compelling viewing experience, especially for those who appreciate a slow-burn approach to horror storytelling.

In conclusion, while "The Rental" reaches its zenith in its depiction of human error and relational dynamics, its more traditional horror components may feel less impactful in comparison. Nevertheless, it remains a solid recommendation for viewers inclined towards atmospheric and thought-provoking horror.