The Black Phone 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Universal’s UHD release of "The Black Phone" features a 2160p HDR10 transfer, presenting a significantly darker image than its Blu-ray counterpart. HDR grading seems to have dimmed the film's overall natural brightness, evident from the opening baseball scene. Where the Blu-ray displays an overcast ambiance, the UHD version appears as if shot near sundown under stormy skies. The film’s pervasive darkness, particularly in the cellar holding areas, amplifies narrative tension but sometimes detracts from visibility. While the blacks maintain depth without significant crush issues, and there are added color depth and crispness, the extensive darkness hampers the appreciation of textural upgrades.

Despite the intended cold, dark visual tone, this HDR transfer feels especially dim. Daylight scenes appear almost like twilight, lacking warmth and natural coloring, a shortfall exacerbated by the HDR master’s surprisingly low nit capacity. Detailed elements get lost in the darkness in key scenes, limiting discernibility of the basement's finer details and background figures. Even with some slight improvements in sharpness and clarity in well-lit scenes, the gains do not make a compelling case over the Blu-ray version. Furthermore, noise and compression issues become apparent throughout the movie, undermining the overall viewing experience.

Ultimately, while "The Black Phone" achieves some incremental visual enhancements in 4K with sharper detail and stronger colors, it remains an underwhelming presentation primarily due to excessive darkness and suboptimal use of HDR capabilities. Viewers may find the Blu-ray edition easier to appreciate without a drastically controlled viewing environment.

Universal's new 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Black Phone" offers an upgraded Dolby Atmos audio track that builds upon the previous DTS-HD Master Audio mix found on the standard Blu-ray. The Atmos upgrade primarily enhances spatial immersion with supportive height elements, although they are more atmospheric rather than discrete. The sound of terror, including piercing music and haunting sound effects, benefits from improved spacing and clarity, making for a thoroughly engaging auditory experience. While the enhancement is not dramatically different from the 7.1 mix on technical grounds, the added height elements do contribute to a more immersive soundscape.

The Dolby Atmos mix delivers a well-balanced audio experience where dialogue remains clear and centrally prioritized throughout. The front stage manages the bulk of the audio delivery adeptly, ensuring dialogue and action sequences are well-articulated. The low-end extension is strong, providing satisfying bass that enriches heavy music and sound effects. Though some comparisons indicate a marginally stronger LFE response in other Atmos mixes, the upgrade from DTS 7.1 to Dolby Atmos on this disc is still notably superior, offering more engaging surround and height placement effects. Overall, this Atmos mix should be considered a definitive improvement for most listeners, retaining solid LFE responses and immersing the viewer more effectively in the film's atmospheric essence.

The 4K UHD release of "The Black Phone" maintains consistency with the previously available extras on the 2022 Blu-ray, providing a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look and additional content that enriches the viewing experience. This collection includes insightful commentary from Producer/Co-Writer/Director Scott Derrickson discussing various aspects of the production, complemented by a series of featurettes detailing Ethan Hawke's transformation into the eerie antagonist, production design intricacies, and the creative choice behind using Super 8 film for dream sequences. The deleted scenes and a notable short film by Derrickson round out the robust extras package, ensuring fans of the film gain a deeper connection to its creative process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Additional footage not included in the final cut.
• Ethan Hawke's Evil Turn: Explore Hawke's method for embodying his character.
• Answering the Call: Behind the Scenes of The Black Phone: In-depth production insights.
• Devil in the Design: Examination of set design, costumes, and makeup.
• Super 8 Set: Discussion on using Super 8 film for a vintage feel.
• Shadowprowler: A Short Film by Scott Derrickson: An original short film.
• Audio Commentary: Solo track by Scott Derrickson.

Universal's release of 'The Black Phone' on 4K UHD Blu-ray enhances the chilling atmosphere and gripping storyline set in a small Colorado town terrorized by "The Grabber," a chilling kidnapper portrayed by Ethan Hawke. The film, directed by Scott Derrickson, offers a seamless blend of suspense and horror with superb 2160p/HDR video quality and immersive Dolby Atmos audio. Mason Thames shines as Finney, a bullied teenager who is kidnapped and held in a soundproof basement, where a disconnected black phone mysteriously rings with calls from The Grabber's past victims. At the same time, his sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) experiences psychic visions that could lead to his rescue.

Derrickson's adept direction, known from works like 'Doctor Strange' and 'Sinister,' is evident here, balancing terror and narrative depth. The film successfully captures the eerie essence of the 1970s, aided by the production design and strong performances across the board. Ethan Hawke's portrayal of the masked antagonist is particularly noteworthy, adding a layer of menace even with limited screen time. The vintage setting eliminates modern technological distractions, focusing instead on word-of-mouth horror and psychological tension, making the experience more immersive.

Though the film may not be groundbreaking in its concept, its execution stands out due to tight storytelling and character development. The abruptness of the ending might jar some viewers, but overall, 'The Black Phone' sustains its tension and delivers unexpected twists. Derrickson skillfully upends audience expectations with a few well-placed curveballs, ensuring that the narrative remains unpredictable and engaging. This 4K UHD release not only amplifies the suspense through superior audiovisual quality but also reiterates the movie's position as an effective and haunting entry in contemporary horror cinema.

Universal's UHD release of "The Black Phone" is a complex package that provides several upgrades over previous formats but also comes with some significant drawbacks. The film, critically and commercially acclaimed, features standout performances, especially from Ethan Hawke, whose foray into horror proves his versatility as an actor. The atmosphere created by effective jump scares and poignant music cues enhances the gripping narrative, making for an engaging viewing experience. However, these strengths in storytelling and emotional pull do not necessarily translate to the 4K UHD presentation.

Visually, the 4K UHD edition delivers higher resolution and HDR grading, but the overall improvement is marginal. The persistent darkness significantly diminishes the benefits that should accompany a 4K transfer, leading to a more challenging viewing experience where textural details do not see significant amplification. The audio offering is a mixed bag; while the Atmos track does provide a decent enhancement, it is not distinctly superior to the Blu-ray's 7.1 configuration.

From a content perspective, all extras are carried over from the Blu-ray version with no additional inclusions, failing to entice those considering a double dip. Given these technical and supplementary content shortcomings, it becomes hard to justify the upgrade unless one is an ardent collector or a die-hard fan of the film.

This is a solid film that chooses to simply build and follow the narrative rather than try to explain it all away. That's a big key to success: it is low key, not very high concept, but it is also unique and captivating within its limited scope and explanation. Performances are wonderful, production design is great, and the film expertly blends jump scares and Horror music cues with core audience emotion and narrative engagement to fine effect. Universal's new UHD release of The Black Phone offers upgrades that are strictly technical in nature, and it would be hard to call this a significant upgrade in any way. Yes, the resolution is higher and yes, the HDR grading is there, but the movie teeters on unwatchable for the prevailing darkness. Textural details are not amplified in any significant way, either. The Atmos track is fine but not worlds different from the Blu-ray's 7.1 track. All extras return and no new extras are included. Keep the Blu-ray. Pass.