Housebound Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Housebound" showcases a meticulously detailed and visually rich transfer. Shot primarily with an old Red camera operated by cinematographer Simon Riera, the 1080p, AVC-encoded video impresses with its clarity and contrast. Though the Red camera used for filming was prone to breakdowns, the final product posed no such issues, reflecting a top-tier digital intermediate. The film's deep blacks are masterfully rendered, crucial for the numerous night scenes and dark interiors that are central to the horror experience. Daylight scenes, though rare, provide a stark contrast with excellent detail down to the minutiae of the dusty old house filled with bric-a-brac, reminding viewers of the high quality of image detail continuously present.

In maintaining Johnstone's distinctive visual style, the Blu-ray exhibits a color palette that leans toward unnatural and sickly hues, with flesh tones appearing intentionally off-kilter to heighten the eerie atmosphere. The muted color scheme, especially in indoor settings, sustains rich and vibrant visuals with no noticeable banding or pixelation. Despite the constrained color range, the reproduction remains vivid and consistent. Black levels maintain impressive depth throughout, without any signs of crush or compression, ensuring that even the subtlest elements within shadows are visible. Remarkably, no artifacts mar the sleek presentation, preserving the director's vision intact.

With an average bitrate of 20.00 Mbps, the encoding efficiently manages both still and frantic action scenes without compromising image quality. This disciplined bitrate allocation is pivotal in maintaining clear visuals during calm sequences and more dynamic moments alike, capturing every flicker of movement fundamental to the film’s suspenseful storytelling. Overall, this Blu-ray delivers a first-rate tribute to Johnstone's visual ingenuity, encapsulating his unique and independent directorial flair in an unblemished high-definition format.

The audio presentation of "Housebound" on Blu-ray is an exemplary showcase of technical prowess, particularly with its 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix. This lossless format captures the myriad auditory intricacies that the horror-comedy film employs to both spook and entertain its audience. Notably, the ghostly sounds and eerie manifestations that protagonist Kylie encounters are rendered with impeccable spatial accuracy, making it feel like they emanate precisely from the locations depicted on-screen. Key elements of the sound design include cartoonish violence and heightened action scenes, which are handled with intensity and clarity that enhance the overall viewing experience.

Moreover, Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper's score is a standout feature, deftly replacing the temp tracks initially inspired by horror score legends such as Christopher Young, Danny Elfman, and Jerry Goldsmith. The music not only complements the visuals but also surprises even the director with its efficacy in certain scenes. Dialogue is consistently clear and well-articulated, yet viewers less accustomed to New Zealand accents might benefit from enabling the English SDH subtitles for better comprehension.

The sound design's dynamics are striking, creating an immersive and occasionally unsettling atmosphere without descending into cacophony. The low-frequency extension is robust, offering deep, rumble-free bass that manages to be both powerful and distortion-free. Surround sound effects, including footsteps, whispers, and ambient noises, are meticulously detailed and skilfully balanced within the rear channels, avoiding any overlap that could detract from the primary audio sources. This meticulous attention to detail in the surround sound presentation ensures an engaging and enveloping auditory experience that stands as a reference-quality track. Audio aficionados will find the presentation both technically impressive and viscerally impactful.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "Housebound" provide an in-depth and entertaining look behind the scenes. The lively commentary with writer/director Gerard Johnstone, producer Luke Sharp, and executive producer Ant Timpson is particularly engaging, with the trio imbibing champagne and sharing anecdotes, insights into the challenging logistics of shooting, subtle digital effects, and various editorial decisions, all while explaining local Kiwi terms. Deleted scenes with context for their removal offer fans a glimpse of what could have been, while the included trailers add a promotional touch.

Extras included in this disc:

Commentary with Writer/Director Gerard Johnstone, Producer Luke Sharp, and Executive Producer Ant Timpson: An informative and entertaining track discussing production challenges, influences, digital effects, and editorial decisions.

Deleted Scenes: Includes "2nd Dinner table scene," "Peanut Butter," "Stairwell Argument," with explanations for their removal.

Trailer: Official film trailer.

Additional Trailers: Includes trailers for other films: Ironclad: Battle for Blood, The Scribbler, Poker Night, and The Mule.

Housebound is an enthralling blend of horror, comedy, and mystery that has garnered attention from genre aficionados and professionals alike. Directed by Gerard Johnstone, this film debuted at the 2014 SXSW Film Festival to stunned and delighted audiences. The film offers a meticulously crafted story that brilliantly intertwines supernatural elements with sharp humor and unexpected twists. From the onset, viewers are introduced to Kylie Bucknell (Morgana O'Reilly), a juvenile delinquent sentenced to house arrest in her estranged mother's home after a botched ATM robbery. This setup sets the stage for a series of eerie and humorous events that unfold within the gothic confines of the household.

Johnstone's directorial prowess is evident as he deftly balances the film's narrative layers, maintaining an offbeat yet coherent story. Each character is vividly portrayed, especially Rima Te Wiata as Kylie's relentlessly chatty mother, Miriam. The dynamic between Kylie and Miriam brings both comedic relief and tension, enhancing the film's multifaceted appeal. The house itself becomes a character – an almost sentient entity with strange noises, electrical anomalies, and objects behaving inexplicably. This environment amplifies the tension and suspense but does so without losing the comedic undertone that makes Housebound uniquely engaging.

The film's technical aspects are equally impressive, considering its modest $250,000 budget. The production values are high, with effective practical effects and atmospheric design contributing to the overall sense of dread and whimsy. Housebound's success owes much to Johnstone's writing and direction, where unconventional plot twists keep the viewer engaged without detracting from the story's core. Comparable to early Peter Jackson films, this gem delivers finely tuned performances, adept pacing, and clever reveals that ensure repeated viewings offer new delights. Whether you're a fan of horror, dark comedy, or innovative storytelling, Housebound is a standout addition to the genre and comes highly recommended.

Housebound" is a brilliantly crafted blend of horror and comedy that excels in creating a tense yet entertaining atmosphere. The film manages to balance its darkly comedic elements with genuinely suspenseful moments, striking an impressive equilibrium between laughter and chills. The narrative's complexity, centered around unraveling a haunting born out of past misdeeds, is engaging and keeps the audience guessing till the very end. Performance-wise, the cast delivers commendably, breathing life into characters that are both relatable and intriguing.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray presentation of "Housebound" is exceptional. The visual quality is superb, with sharp and vibrant images that enhance the eerie ambiance of the film. The sound design is equally impressive, delivering clear and dynamic audio that perfectly complements the unfolding suspense and sudden shocks. Special features such as audio commentary and deleted scenes provide valuable insights into the filmmaking process, making this package an excellent choice for film enthusiasts who appreciate behind-the-scenes details.

In conclusion, "Housebound" isn't a particularly gory film, but it does have some suitably disgusting moments. (As the deleted scenes reveal, others were left on the cutting room floor.) Comedy takes precedence over violence, but the violence is still there, and deaths do occur. Like most hauntings, this one sprang from a ghastly misdeed, but figuring out just what happened requires more than the usual amount of digging into the past, and quite a few people are involved. To say any more would be a crime. Highly recommended.