The Hatred Blu-ray Review

"The Hatred" is presented on Blu-ray by Anchor Bay Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Captured digitally using Alexa cameras, the film offers the sleek and well-detailed look typical of this technology, albeit with some inherent flatness. Surprisingly for a horror movie, significant portions of the contemporary storyline are set in brightly lit environments, which serve to elevate overall detail and fine detail levels. In contrast, the opening prologue set in the 1960s has a unique yellowish tint that, while evocative, slightly reduces fine detail. The final act, set in dimly lit environments, exhibits some deficits in detail levels and shadow definition, although practical effects are well-executed. CGI elements appear marginally softer, and there are sporadic instances of banding, particularly when headlights are directed at the camera, though these anomalies are minimal.

The film arrives with solid black levels, robust colors, and commendable clarity, but it isn't without its flaws. The image occasionally suffers from softness, occasional video noise, and a lack of depth and dimension that results in a somewhat flat appearance at times. Despite these baked-in digital flaws, there are moments where the image excels, particularly in basement and dark room settings, which come across as particularly ominous due to strong black levels. The color palette is another strength, featuring great earth tones, accurate primaries, and healthy flesh tones. All in all, while not without its imperfections, "The Hatred" delivers a visually engaging experience with a sufficiently creepy atmosphere.

The audio presentation on the Blu-Ray of "The Hatred" employs a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix, providing a refreshing change from the more prevalent DTS-HD Master Audio or uncompressed LPCM formats. The sound design leverages effective, if somewhat clichéd, techniques to enhance the film's atmosphere. LFE activity is both prominent and immersive, with deep, resonant bass tones that bolster the eerie elements of the score. Surround activity is consistent, maintaining a dynamic sound environment even during the film's dialogue-heavy sequences. The mix faithfully preserves fidelity across all elements, ensuring clarity without any damage, distortion, or other technical issues.

The audio mix excels in delivering clear and clean dialogue, integral to understanding the often-expository conversations, particularly in the film's middle sections. The scoring effectively contributes to the ominous tone, subtly adding tension during scenes that might lack visual scares. The transitions in sound are fluid, with surround channels catching even minor ambient sounds to enhance the overall sense of creeping dread. Levels are meticulously balanced; once viewers find a comfortable volume setting in a darkened room, the immersive qualities of the mix are fully realized, contributing significantly to the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray release of "The Hatred" provides a modest but valuable selection of extras that will engage fans and aspiring filmmakers. Primarily consisting of a "Behind the Scenes" featurette and an audio commentary, these materials offer a deeper look into the film's production. Despite the uneven audio quality in some interviews, the "Behind the Scenes" featurette is notably more comprehensive than typical Electronic Press Kit (EPK) content, providing insights into the filmmaking process. The audio commentary by Producer Malek Akkad and Writer/Director Michael G. Kehoe, accessible through the setup menu, delivers practical and informative details, particularly valuable for those interested in low-budget filmmaking techniques.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Hatred - Behind the Scenes: Standard EPK fare with comprehensive interviews.
• Audio Commentary: Insightful discussion featuring Producer Malek Akkad and Writer/Director Michael G. Kehoe.

"The Hatred," directed and written by Michael G. Kehoe, opens with a potentially gripping premise involving former Nazis relocating to Middle America post-World War II. Andrew Divoff, portraying Samuel Sears, delivers a delightfully eerie performance as a maniacal and controlling father. Yet, the initial intrigue is undermined by haphazard execution and a lack of contextual clarity. The film's early sequence, resembling "The Man in the High Castle" or "The Village," spans over twenty minutes but fails to firmly establish its narrative or characters. Intriguing elements, like an ancient Nazi relic seeping malevolent energy, are introduced but never fully explored or utilized effectively, leaving numerous plot holes and unanswered questions.

Transitioning to the modern era, the story shifts focus to college student Regan (Sarah Davenport) and her friends who arrive at the Sears farmhouse to babysit young Irene (Shae Smolik). Despite the film’s laborious setup, this transition abruptly leaps into a haunted house narrative, replete with predictable jump scares and spectral appearances. While some scares achieve a momentary jolt, the overall chaotic presentation detracts from any sustained tension. The narrative suffers from a scattershot approach where characters come and go with minimal impact, subplots are underdeveloped, and the central haunted relic plot device feels superfluous rather than integral.

"The Hatred" exhibits commendable effort given its low-budget constraints, buoyed by decent performances and visual execution. However, it struggles with an inconsistent tone and uneven pacing. The film posits an intriguing mix between cabin in the woods horror and haunted house genres but ultimately falters due to underdeveloped plot elements and logistical implausibilities. Despite its flaws, some viewers may find it an enjoyable, if imperfect, entry in independent horror. It stands as a solid proof of concept that hints at potential but requires more cohesion and depth to stand out in a crowded genre.

"The Hatred" presents a mixed bag of successes and shortcomings within the horror genre, notably forgoing the typical cliches often associated with such films. The plot holds potential but ultimately stumbles due to numerous unexplored narrative threads and a handful of story contrivances. Despite these flaws, the film manages to deliver sporadic yet effective creepy moments which may be enough to keep some viewers engaged. From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray presentation by Anchor Bay stands out with commendable audio and visual quality, ensuring that the scare sequences, albeit few and far between, are presented crisply.

Even though "The Hatred" is hampered by its budget constraints and an occasionally uneven story, it still shows an earnest attempt at contributing to the horror genre. While it may not achieve greatness, or even be a particularly good film, it carries an underlying sense of fun which can enhance the viewing experience. The bonus features included with this Blu-ray release add some value, offering viewers additional context which may help in appreciating the film to a greater extent.

In conclusion, "The Hatred" may not enthrall hardcore genre aficionados nor offer groundbreaking innovations, but it emerges as a watchable effort that might cater to casual horror fans seeking a brief thrill. Its strong technical merits in the Blu-ray format, coupled with decent special features, make it worth a rental for those curious about its offerings. However, it remains a secondary choice in a market populated by superior horror productions.