Strange Darling Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray for "Strange Darling" stands out, capturing the film's artistic intent with exemplary clarity. Uniquely shot entirely on 35mm film under the discerning eye of Director of Photography Giovanni Ribisi, the film exhibits remarkable depth and detail. The choice of 35mm film not only enriches the texture and grain structure, maintaining a vintage yet unblemished aesthetic, but it also enhances the vividness of primary colors such as reds and blues which appear throughout in carefully crafted contrast and vibrancy. Exterior shots, though sparse, draw the viewer into a lush, verdant atmosphere that feels genuinely immersive. With most scenes unfolding across intimate settings, the attention to fine detail—from the cluttered interior of a sleazy motel room to the eclectic chaos of a decades-old home—ensures no embellishment goes unnoticed.

Transiting from film to a 1080p Blu-ray presents a seamless visual experience, preserving cinematic richness through its 2.39:1 aspect ratio. This transfer maintains a polished layer of film grain that complements facial features, textures, and intricate background details consistently. The film's use of color is ambitious and cleverly harnesses shifts in tonality—from monochrome desaturation to explosive bursts of color—serving the emotional tone of each scene. Black levels are impressively deep without compromise, and the overall presentation suggests that while this 1080p transfer is visually striking, an upgrade to full 2160p and HDR could potentially elevate these visuals further. As it stands, this Blu-ray offers a compelling and technically proficient display that emphasizes the artistry of its creators.

"Strange Darling" offers an exceptional DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that thoroughly complements the film's eclectic narrative. The audio experience is highly immersive, encompassing full surround sound to engage viewers actively. Signature sound effects, like the crisp snap of a Zippo lighter and the shattering of glass, are rendered with precision, demonstrating the track's capability to provide high-fidelity reproduction. Scenes featuring gunfire and crash sequences benefit from a robust low-end performance, delivering deep, impactful sounds that enhance realism and immediacy. The mix’s directionality, particularly noticeable with racing vehicles and powerful engine growls, remains exemplary throughout the film.

The audio design effectively embraces both bombastic and subdued elements, adjusting dynamically to support varying tones across different scenes. Surround involvement is consistently harnessed, contributing atmospheric and ambient sounds that transport the viewer to various locales—from tension-filled road pursuits to intimate dialogues. The cleverly constructed score by Craig DeLeon perpetuates the mood and seamlessly integrates with the film’s soundscape.

Dialogue maintains clarity and is consistently foregrounded, ensuring it retains prominence amidst diverse sound elements. The active soundscape manages to keep quieter scenes engaging through subtle channel activity, enhancing overall viewer immersion. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is distinctly ambitious, providing a sound experience that amplifies the film's thematic elements and mood, expertly serving this unpredictable thriller’s audio demands.

The Blu Ray of "Strange Darling" disappoints in its offerings of supplemental content, featuring only minimal bonuses. Notably, the sole extra available is the standard theatrical trailer, which does little to enhance the viewer's understanding or appreciation of the film. The absence of meaningful extras leaves enthusiasts wanting more in terms of behind-the-scenes insights or in-depth explorations of the film's creative process. Despite its technical quality, the lack of substantial additional content is a missed opportunity for those seeking a more enriched viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: The green band trailer provides a brief glimpse into the film but lacks further supplementary depth.

"Strange Darling" lands on Blu-ray, showcasing its intricate narrative and clever cinematic techniques. Directed by JT Mollner, the film is a psychological thriller that leverages a nonlinear structure through its six scrambled chapters, reminiscent of classics like "Pulp Fiction". This narrative style effectively builds suspense and intrigue, compelling viewers to piece together the storyline. The film opens with Fitzgerald's character provocatively asking Gallner's "The Demon" if he's a serial killer, immediately captivating the audience with its palpable tension. The film visually reinforces its mood transitions using color schemes; blue hues signify intimacy, while aggressive reds foreshadow violence.

The performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner are commendable, grounding the story in realism. Their characters are portrayed with humanity, avoiding exaggerated horror tropes. Fitzgerald's performance marks a significant breakout, while Gallner delivers a nuanced role that complements her. Even minor roles, played by Barbara Hershey and Ed Begley Jr., offer a momentary comedic relief without detracting from the overall tension. Giovanni Ribisi, in his debut as Director of Photography, successfully captures the film's atmosphere using 35mm film, enhancing its gritty visual storytelling with sophisticated cinematography that supports rather than overshadows content.

While devoid of supplemental material, the Blu-ray release from Magenta Light ensures the technical quality aligns with the film's meticulous artistry. Despite lacking bonuses like commentary or a slipcover, this Blu-ray release highlights the film's core strengths: its plot complexity, atmospheric tension, and standout performances. "Strange Darling" stands as a riveting cinematic experience that entices repeated viewings, ensuring each revisit unfolds new layers of its narrative brilliance.

"Strange Darling" emerges as a cleverly crafted cinematic experience, expertly playing with genre norms to deliver an engaging narrative full of both suspense and horror. Directed by JT Mollner, the film consistently evokes a sense of unease through its blend of excess and restraint, effectively utilizing every moment to disturb and intrigue. The film shines due to its nuanced approach, foregoing gratuitous violence in favor of building tension through its well-constructed story. Viewers will find themselves intrigued from start to finish, never quite able to predict its next thrilling turn. The Blu-ray release, despite the lack of significant supplemental material, presents a strong audio-visual transfer, ensuring the film retains its engaging edge in its home viewing format.

A standout feature of "Strange Darling" is the strong performances by leads Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner, who anchor the film's gripping narrative. Their chemistry and nuanced portrayals add depth to a story rich with suspense. Despite some disappointment surrounding the absence of a higher resolution format or comprehensive bonus content, the Blu-ray disc delivers an exceptional A/V presentation that accentuates the film’s thrilling elements effectively. This allows for a repeated viewing experience that remains as intense as the first—one of the true marks of a successful thriller.

In conclusion, "Strange Darling" lives up to the acclaim it has garnered, showcasing an impressive debut by Ribisi as Director of Photography. While it may not yet reach the lofty heights of being labeled a masterpiece as Stephen King suggests, it holds significant promise and delivers an immensely entertaining viewing experience. Its clever narrative and formidable performances secure its place as a must-watch for horror enthusiasts and anyone seeking a thriller that offers more than superficial scares. Highly recommended for those ready to embrace a modern take on horror conventions.