The Unwanted Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Unwanted" showcases a robust AVC encoded image with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, emanating the expected characteristics of an HD-shot feature. The film, shot digitally, benefits from impressive sharpness that accentuates intricate details on faces, such as Katt's pronounced creases and Fierman's reflective eyes, while textures on both sets and locations are rendered with welcoming clarity. Colors in the presentation stand out as robust and genuinely vibrant, particularly primary colors and various shades of green, which get ample presence without oversaturation.

However, the image's focus can be inconsistent, occasionally drifting to only foreground elements and leaving backgrounds in a soft blur. This selective focus can inadvertently cause the image to appear somewhat flat and reminiscent of a greenscreen setup when it is not. Despite this minor drawback, the visual presentation generally avoids significant compression issues with very little banding. Evening scenes present solid black levels with minimal crush, lending adequate depth to the picture. Overall, while there are some minor struggles with delineation, the high level of detail and stability in colors compensate well, keeping the viewing experience engaging and technically sound.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "The Unwanted" is fraught with notable inconsistencies and balance issues, primarily due to its peculiar 2.0 LPCM stereo mix. Volume adjustments are frequently necessary, as the mix considerably lacks a secure equilibrium between dialogue and the soundtrack. Often, dialogues are rendered nearly inaudible while soundtrack cuts can overwhelm the listener with abrupt increases in volume. Compounding these issues are exaggerated atmospheric sounds that overshadow the speaking voices, creating a persistent need for volume riding to manage the uneven audio levels.

Moreover, the film's independent roots are clearly evident in its audio production, likely recorded extensively with lavalier microphones. This results in a perceptible absence of the secondary performer's audio, as if their voices are out of the microphone's range. Consequently, many scenes oscillate between sounding natural and authentic to tinny and artificial, sometimes evoking the impression of dialogue and effects being recorded in less-than-ideal environments. This undue inconsistency becomes more pronounced toward the third act when the dramatic tension amplifies, further emphasizing the erratic nature of the sound design. Despite these flaws, it's generally possible to follow dialogue content, though the lapses in audio quality can be distracting and detract from the overall viewing experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Unwanted" offer a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the film's production process, thematic elements, and additional content. The "Making Of" featurette is concise yet informative, providing valuable insights through cast and crew interviews along with some behind-the-scenes footage. The deleted scenes add depth and clarify plot points, particularly enhancing the narrative's latter half. "The Other Half," an early short film from director Bret Wood, revisits similar themes and is a commendable inclusion. The various trailers do an excellent job of intriguing potential viewers but perhaps disclose a bit too much of the storyline.

Extras included in this disc:

Making Of: A brief look at the production's history with interviews and BTS footage.

Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes that clarify plot points and enhance the story.

The Other Half: Bret Wood's 2008 short film with related themes.

Carmilla: Looking Back: Cast and crew discuss the project's genesis and shooting experience.

Trailer A: A longer trailer that reveals much of the plot.

Trailer B: A shorter trailer that also gives away significant plot details.

"The Unwanted" stands as an ambitious thriller that aims to interweave elements of Southern Gothic horror, vampirism, and a deeply psychological narrative inspired by the 1872 novella "Carmilla." Director Bret Wood maximizes the eerie atmosphere by utilizing smoke, shadows, and bloodletting to immerse viewers into a world laden with lesbianism and domestic dysfunction. While the atmospheric aspirations are evident, the film's amateurish execution debilitates its potential. The screenplay feels disjointed, and the performances are stiff, making it difficult for the audience to connect with the character arcs or the storyline. Budgetary constraints and editing issues further hamper the film’s ability to deliver a cohesive experience.

The plot revolves around Carmilla (Christen Orr), a drifter searching for clues about her missing mother, Millarca (Kylie Brown), in a quaint southern town. She encounters Troy (William Katt) and his daughter Laura (Hanna Fierman) at their farm, uncovering dark family secrets and repressed desires. As Carmilla and Laura delve deeper into their mothers' shared past, their relationship transitions from friendship to uneasy romance. The narrative struggles to maintain momentum and coherence, often resorting to shallow shock value through elements like incest, self-harm, and graphic murder without exploring them meaningfully. Even though Carmilla and Laura’s interactions initially seem genuine, their sudden romantic developments feel contrived, and accompanying horror elements register more as absurd than thrilling.

Despite a solid cast, the characters lack depth and consistency, often relying on illogical plot devices such as unnecessary blood-drinking scenes. William Katt’s portrayal of Troy becomes increasingly clichéd, robbing the climax of its intended suspense. The film’s major flaw lies in its inability to fully develop its myriad themes, instead presenting them as scattered fragments that fail to coalesce into a gripping narrative. While "The Unwanted" aspires to be an evocative thriller rich in Southern Gothic atmosphere, it ultimately falls short due to its fragmented storytelling and lack of emotional resonance.

"The Unwanted" on Blu-ray provides an intriguing, yet imperfect, viewing experience. The film ambitiously traverses through flashbacks, dreamscapes, and complex desires, which, despite their potential, often come off as confusing and muddled. The limited budget and less than optimal casting impact its overall delivery, making the film's exploration of flesh and sexuality feel notably detached. Despite these challenges, the cast delivers commendable performances, although they don't quite manage to elevate the movie beyond a mediocre level.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation offers some highlights. The video quality is impressively sharp, capturing the moody aesthetics that the director aims for. However, the LPCM 2.0 audio track can be inconsistent, reflecting the film's independent production origins. It lacks the depth and immersion that a more advanced surround sound mix could provide. On a positive note, the Blu-ray includes a substantial selection of extra features that enhance the overall package and provide additional value for viewers.

In conclusion, "The Unwanted" snakes through flashbacks, dreamscapes, and desires, biting off more than it can chew with its limited budget and clouded casting imagination. All this flesh and sexuality feels cold to the touch while dramatic encounters fall flat as the story struggles for clarity, often pushed aside entirely so Wood can indulge his interests in horror without ever earning the carnage. This release is best suited for ardent fans of low-budget horror thrillers. For most viewers, it may be worth a rental for its technical merits and supplemental content; however, it might not warrant a purchase unless you are particularly intrigued by the film's unique yet flawed storytelling approach.