The Monster Blu-ray Review

"The Monster" receives a commendable 1080p transfer from Lionsgate Films, utilizing an AVC encoded presentation in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Despite the film's predominant nighttime setting and incessant rain, the resolution impresses with sharp, well-defined images. Close-ups reveal intricate details in makeup and practical effects, adding a layer of realism that enhances viewer immersion. The picture retains a natural but subdued color palette, reflecting the film's thematic choices with muted primary colors and softer secondary hues. Black levels are exceptionally deep and dynamic, contributing to the film's unsettling atmosphere, while shadow detail remains high, effectively utilized to build tension.

Daylight scenes, such as flashbacks, deliver a noticeable uptick in vibrancy and detail. These sequences allow the fine detail to shine, showcasing elements like individual hairs and wardrobe stitching. Skin tones, ranging from rosy to pale, stay lifelike and textural throughout, maintaining consistency and realism. The overall presentation is largely free from technical flaws; video artifacts are practically non-existent, ensuring a whistle-clean high-definition experience.

Minor issues include occasional yellow splotchiness in scenes with mid-range lighting, but these are infrequent and do not detract significantly from the viewing experience. Overall, "The Monster's" Blu-ray edition stands out with its high level of detail and excellent shadow definition, making it a technically proficient release that aligns well with the film's dark and atmospheric tone.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "The Monster" excels in delivering a detailed and immersive soundscape that effectively heightens the film's suspenseful atmosphere. Dialogues are clearly distinct and centralized, ensuring clear communication even amidst the more chaotic scenes. The surround sound implementation skillfully incorporates ambient environmental effects, such as the rustle of leaves and persistent rainfall, which fill the room with an eerie sense of being stranded in the woods. The sound mix's dynamic range allows for both subtle auditory details and powerful low-frequency effects, making key moments more impactful.

The ambient sounds play a significant role in building tension, with the rain effects particularly standing out as they move fluidly through the surround channels, creating an enveloping experience. The monster’s roar and other nature sounds are spatially precise, contributing to an engaging and sometimes startling audio experience. The moody score by tomandandy seamlessly spreads through the surrounds, enhancing the emotional weight of the narrative. Despite its simplicity, the score complements the film's suspense without overpowering other key audio elements.

In sum, "The Monster’s" audio presentation is a testament to the efficacy of a well-crafted sound mix in horror cinema. It masterfully balances dialogue clarity with a rich ambient environment, achieving an impressive dynamic range that complements both subtle background cues and intense moments. This DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix ensures a high-quality audio experience, presenting every scream, roar, and rainfall with pristine clarity and impactful depth.

The extras on the Blu-Ray release of "The Monster" provide a varied yet somewhat superficial glimpse into the film's production. The main featurette, "Eyes in the Darkness," is a brief Electronic Press Kit (EPK)-style segment that offers some behind-the-scenes insights through cast and crew interviews but lacks depth. Notably, this featurette provides better visual clarity on the monster compared to the primary film. Overall, these extras serve more as promotional content rather than in-depth explorations, offering viewers quick but limited behind-the-scenes access.

Extras included in this disc:

• Eyes in the Darkness: A brief EPK-style featurette with cast and crew interviews, offering better views of the monster than the film itself.
• Digital HD Copy: Includes a digital version of the film for versatile viewing options.

The Monster is a nuanced horror thriller from writer-director Bryan Bertino, who previously made waves with The Strangers. This film tells the nightmarish tale of a divorced mother, Kathy (Zoe Kazan), and her daughter, Lizzy (Ella Ballentine), who are stranded on desolate country roads after a car accident. While trying to seek help, they come to realize they are not alone and face an ominous creature lurking in the surrounding woods. Yet, beneath the surface, the film delves into the unsettling dynamics of their relationship marred by Kathy's substance abuse. Kazan and Ballentine deliver compelling performances, making their fraught bond as gripping and haunting as the monster itself.

Bertino skillfully sets up an atmosphere of palpable dread, employing slow-burn tactics reminiscent of his earlier work. The film's effective suspense builds steadily as Kathy and Lizzy encounter increasingly perilous situations. The clash with the unseen entity is both chilling and intense, though some may find the actual screen time of the titular monster lacking. The creature manifests more through its psychological impact and implied presence rather than explicit appearances, which enhances the film's eerie tension. Despite sporadic diversions into flashbacks that unpack the family’s dysfunctions—thereby impacting pacing—the movie sustains a foreboding ambiance throughout.

Although The Monster occasionally veers into formulaic horror tropes, Bertino manages to infuse a sense of originality by weaving in symbolic elements concerning alcohol addiction and familial breakdown. The wolf struck by their vehicle and the subsequent terror they face serve as metaphors for Kathy’s destructive behavior due to alcoholism. The film's climax, with its emotionally charged resolution, underscores how deeply intertwined their external threats are with their profound personal struggles. A few cliché moments are evident, but the film compensates with its emotionally resonant core and robustly conceived sense of dread.

"The Monster" on Blu-ray offers a gripping cinematic experience with its strong technical execution and commendable performances, particularly from Zoe Kazan and Ella Ballentine. Despite its horror classification, the film deviates from traditional monster-centric narratives like "Alien" or "Predator," focusing instead on the fraught mother-daughter relationship at its core. This emotional nuance is effectively highlighted through a series of flashbacks that, while occasionally slowing pacing, enrich the characters' depth and story. Filmmaker Bryan Bertino employs a slow-burn suspense similar to his previous work, "The Strangers," successfully subverting typical horror tropes and providing a chilling yet contemplative atmosphere.

Visually, the cinematography stands out, emphasizing the film’s moody, rain-soaked setting that enhances the suspenseful undertone. The Blu-ray transfer maintains a high level of detail and contrast, ensuring that both the dark, ominous scenes and the more emotionally charged moments are displayed with clarity. The audio presentation complements the visual quality, intensifying the tension with well-calibrated sound effects and an engaging surround sound experience.

While the Blu-ray includes only limited bonus features—the sole extra being a standard Electronic Press Kit (EPK)—the film's narrative strengths and technical merits make it a worthwhile addition to any collection. "The Monster" is recommended for those who appreciate a horror film that emphasizes character dynamics and psychological tension over straightforward scares.