The Stranger Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "The Stranger" on Blu-ray, courtesy of IFC Midnight and Scream Factory, delivers a generally strong visual experience with some notable aspects. The film is presented with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.40:1 aspect ratio, offering an engaging range of visual styles. Director Guillermo Amoedo and cinematographer Chechu Graf creatively manipulate the image through sepia-toned sequences, heavily desaturated moments, and selectively vibrant outdoor scenes. While a significant portion of the film is quite dark, the black levels are commendable, maintaining depth without significant compression issues. Fine details, such as facial close-ups and make-up effects, stand out well even in dim lighting conditions.

Clarity and detail are particularly notable in well-lit scenes, where gory make-up effects and texture nuances such as mustache hair follicles are rendered with precision. Depth is also adequately maintained, showcasing good spacing between characters, objects, and environments to create a three-dimensional feel. Movements are smooth with minimal blurring, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The color palette is intentionally tamped down to match the film's cold and dour atmosphere, with flesh tones appearing colder and blood depicted in bold, stronger hues against a predominantly green filter.

The Blu-ray presents minimal noise or artifacts, although there is slight ghosting during rapid camera movements in dark scenes. Overall, while "The Stranger" could benefit from an enhanced presentation, it still stands well above average for its genre. The detail and clarity in critical scenes combined with a thoughtful audiovisual design ensure an immersive viewing experience.

The audio presentation of "The Stranger" on Blu-ray delivers a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that often impresses with its immersive quality, particularly in the placement of ambient environmental sounds and eerie sound effects. This track excels in fidelity and dynamic range, providing a problem-free audio experience. Some minor sync issues are noted, likely stemming from post-production looping, which lends a slightly surreal quality to the audio reminiscent of classic Italian films where sound is added post-filming.

The English 5.1 DTS-HD MA and English 2.0 DTS-HD MA formats are both offered, with subtitles available in English and Spanish. The dynamics are solid, creating a balanced mix that allows effects to be attention-grabbing without overshadowing dialogue; this is particularly evident in scenes involving car crashes, gunfire, and intense physical confrontations, where the low-frequency extension provides a palpable sub boost. While the sound design is generally front-heavy with the three front channels accurately depicting pitch and volume, the rear speakers effectively augment ambiance. Dialogue reproduction is clear and clean, maintaining an ideal volume throughout.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Stranger" provide a concise yet illuminating behind-the-scenes look at the film's creation and its cultural context. The selection offers valuable insights into the production process and the filmmakers' ambitions, particularly the aim to establish "Chilewood" as a global filmmaking hub. The bonus content, such as the short film "The Fourth Horseman," presents additional depth to the movie's narrative, while trailers and photo galleries enrich the viewer's appreciation of the film’s visual and conceptual elements. Overall, these extras are well-curated to enhance the audience’s understanding and enjoyment of the main feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• Short Film - The Fourth Horseman: Flashback sequences compiled from the main film.
• Welcome to Chilewood: Featurette on Eli Roth and director’s goals to make movies in Chile.
• Theatrical Trailer (U.S.): Original U.S. trailer for the film.
• Theatrical Trailer (Chile): Original Chilean trailer for the film.
• Photo Gallery: Collection of posters, production stills, and behind-the-scenes photos.

"The Stranger" attempts to carve its niche in the saturated vampire genre with a unique take, but struggles to establish a distinct identity. Directed by Guillermo Amoedo and produced by Eli Roth, the 2014 film flips traditional vampire tropes on their head by wrapping them in an apocalyptic and infectious disease subtext, reminiscent of Guillermo del Toro’s "The Strain: The Complete First Season." The story follows Martin, portrayed by Cristóbal Tapia Montt, who arrives in a secluded small town searching for his estranged wife Ana, only to discover she has been dead for years. This set-up catalyzes a chain of violent events, driven by a corrupt cop’s son, leading to a cascading bloodbath. Despite some effective scene work and moments of genuine horror, the narrative often feels slow and overly dour, lacking the engaging slow burn it strives for.

The film's core plot involves Martin's internal struggle and his dark past as he plans to end his own life to eradicate the disease that both torments him and grants healing powers. This layered narrative starts with eerie family angst but quickly delves into terror and gore. Unfortunately, despite an intriguing premise and solid performances—minus a few missteps in casting—the film suffers from pacing issues. Its attempt to emulate the suspenseful atmosphere of "Let The Right One In" results in a derivative storyline that falls short of its inspirations. The final act aims to up the ante but still feels dragged out, limiting its potential impact.

In summary, "The Stranger" offers a unique if flawed addition to the vampire genre. While its slow, brooding tone and derivative elements may not fully meet viewer expectations, the technical prowess in effects and some well-executed scenes provide a glimpse of what could have been a more compelling cinematic experience.

"The Stranger" is a film grounded in ambition but falls short of realizing its full potential. The Blu-ray release, however, offers a top-tier experience in terms of technical quality. The video presentation is clear and precise, with commendable attention to detail in the visual aesthetics. From the rich color palette to the deep black levels, the transfer showcases the film's atmospheric intentions. The audio track equally impresses, delivering an immersive soundscape that enhances the viewing experience. However, where this release stumbles is in the supplementary materials, which are notably sparse, leaving much to be desired for those seeking additional insights into the film's production.

While the technical merits solidify "The Stranger" as a worthy addition to a Blu-ray collection, the film itself struggles to maintain momentum. The narrative, intended to evoke a haunting ambiance, ultimately feels lethargic and uninspired. Despite an underlying mood that hints at potential, the story suffers from predictability and lackluster performances. The characters fail to engage, and the pacing drags, rendering the suspense ineffective.

In conclusion, even the marquee value of Eli Roth probably won't be enough to convince droves of horror lovers to invite this Stranger into their homes. The film simply shambles, more zombie-like in fact, never working up any convincing momentum. There is a palpable mood running through "The Stranger," but it's sadly ineffective in supporting a tired story and some less than convincing performances. Technical merits are generally very good for those considering a purchase, but one might be better served by testing this release via rental first before deciding on a purchase.