Livid Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Livid" presents an intriguing visual experience marked by a mixture of strengths and deficiencies. The film is framed at 2.4:1 with a 1080p AVC encode, and the overall presentation is one of stark but artistic craftsmanship. The cinematography, particularly in the film’s first act, shines with its use of color grading, which leans heavily on colder hues such as blues and dark browns. This choice enhances the seaside town’s wintery feel and the eerie atmosphere of the decaying mansion settings. Skin tones are deliberately de-saturated, aligning seamlessly with the movie's washed-out daylight aesthetic. Although the detail remains reasonable throughout, the visuals suffer somewhat due to less-than-ideal black levels and occasional noisy shadows, particularly noticeable in early indoor scenes.

Conversely, the video transfer excels in presenting sharpness and clarity despite the film’s many dark scenes. Encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and maintaining a 1080p transfer, the Blu-ray captures fine details with commendable depth, even during brief daylight sequences. The color reproduction is notably robust, with cold blues, greens, grays, and blacks being richly saturated without any post-production anomalies such as banding or aliasing. Additionally, the transfer is free from undesirable artifacts including pixelization or edge enhancement issues. This results in a high-definition transfer that, while not entirely flawless, remains highly competent and should satisfy fans of the film.

In summary, "Livid" on Blu-ray showcases a combination of artistic visual choices and technical execution that makes for a compelling if slightly imperfect viewing experience. The meticulous color grading and sharpness stand out amidst minor shortcomings in black levels and shadow detail, ultimately offering a solid home viewing experience for this haunting film.

The Blu-ray release of "Livid" features two audio tracks: a French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and a French LPCM 2.0, with imposed English subtitles. Although UK audiences might feel slighted with just the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, compared to the French release's 7.1, the 5.1 track is nonetheless a robust audio presentation. Dialogue is crystal clear and utilizes high-frequency ranges exceptionally well, ensuring natural sound quality without excessive EQ manipulation. Foley work is exemplary, immersing the viewer with mood-specific sounds that complement the visuals. The LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) provide a subtle but effective bass presence, adding impactful thumps during jump scares.

The surround sound is effectively used, ensuring precise and immersive atmospheric effects. Despite the limited number of channels in the 5.1 track, each surround channel is expertly utilized to heighten tension and enhance the viewing experience. There are no reported audio anomalies such as pops, distortions, or dropouts, which promises a consistently high-quality auditory experience. The score by Raphaël Gesqua, while typical for the genre, complements the film's atmosphere well, enhancing the overall horror experience. Overall, the audio quality on this Blu-ray release is commendable, providing an engaging and clear listening experience suitable for any home theater setup.

The Blu-ray of "Livid" includes a modest yet fascinating selection of extras, all in French with adequate English subtitles. These features provide an insightful look into the filmmaking process and the creative minds behind the project. The Making Of Featurette offers an engaging behind-the-scenes view, showcasing directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, as well as actors, in action. The Interviews are particularly informative, featuring discussions with the directors about their inspirations and distinctive atmosphere created for the film, along with cast members delving into their character portrayals. Additionally, the original trailer adds a touch of nostalgia for avid fans.

Extras included in this disc:

Making Of Featurette: An insightful look at how certain scenes were filmed, featuring coaching sessions with directors and actors.

Interviews: Directors and cast discuss the movie's inspiration, atmosphere, and characters in depth.

• Alexandre Bustillo & Julien Maury
• Marie-Claude Pietragalla
• Catherine Jacob
• Félix Moati & Jérémy Kapone

Original Trailer: The original French trailer with English subtitles.

"Livid," the second feature from French directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, offers an adult fairy tale blending classic Hammer Horror aesthetics with a unique Gothic atmosphere. Diverging from the shocking intensity of their debut "Inside," "Livid" opts for a more cerebral horror experience that doesn’t consistently maintain suspense but still compensates with a notable twist towards the end. Set in a large, eerie house, the narrative follows an inexperienced caregiver, Lucy (Chloe Coulloud), who, along with her boyfriend William (Felix Moati) and his brother Ben (Jeremy Kapone), decides to hunt for a hidden treasure belonging to a comatose former ballerina, Mrs. Jessel (Marie-Claude Pietragalla).

Despite a story that could be considered somewhat predictable, the film captivates with its meticulously crafted atmosphere and exceptional visual presentation. Particularly in the latter half, when Lucy and her companions realize the malevolent forces at play in the house, the tension escalates effectively. Although peppered with a few inconsistent flashbacks that might disrupt immersion for attentive viewers, the film's climax satisfactorily ties up these loose threads. Performances are solid across the board, with Coulloud standing out as the level-headed heroine.

The technical execution in "Livid" is commendable, with standout contributions from special effects artist Olivier Afonso and sound mixers Emmanuel Augeard and Alexis Marzin. The make-up and distinctive masks, especially in scenes featuring young ballerinas, enhance the film’s eerie allure. The Blu-ray release from Studio Canal provides a decent audiovisual experience despite the film's slightly lackluster picture quality, making it a worthwhile addition for fans of foreign horror and Gothic narratives. Bonus features include behind-the-scenes content and interviews, further enriching the viewing experience.

In their sophomore feature, "Livid," directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury deliver a visually stunning dark fairy tale that caters predominantly to genre enthusiasts. The film's unique aesthetic is effectively preserved and accentuated in its Blu-ray transfer, showcasing a masterful amalgamation of stylized cinematography and haunting atmosphere. The narrative, while not as graphically intense as their debut film "Inside," still grips the audience with its moody and ethereal storyline, blending horror with surreal fantasy elements seamlessly.

The Blu-ray release is technically impressive, with high-definition visuals that maintain the film's intended dark and eerie ambiance. The attention to detail in the transfer ensures that the rich color palette and intricate production design are highlighted, bolstering the overall viewing experience. Audio quality is equally commendable, encapsulating the viewer in the eerie soundscape that is pivotal to the film’s atmospheric tension. Fans of the genre who appreciate meticulously crafted cinematic experiences will find "Livid" a rewarding experience on Blu-ray.

"Livid" stands as a testament to Bustillo and Maury's ability to craft a captivating visual story that entices and intrigues without resorting to excessive graphic content. While it might not reach the same level of visceral impact as "Inside," it offers a more stylized and artistically ambitious narrative. For those seeking a dark yet visually compelling fairy tale, "Livid" on Blu-ray is certainly recommended.