Don't Grow Up Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Don't Grow Up" offers a generally impressive 2.39:1 AVC-encoded video presentation. The film employs a desaturated and bleak color grading scheme, predominantly saturated with blue, green, and gray shades. This subdued palette effectively conveys the film's atmospheric tone but limits instances of vibrant color. However, some outdoor scenes provide a welcome respite with bright, sunny visuals that exhibit stunning clarity. Fine details are meticulously rendered, ensuring sharp facial features and well-defined backdrops. Although the blacks exhibit a slightly grungy texture, they maintain adequate shadow detail. The overall digital image, captured with an Arri Alexa XT, presents a clean, sharp, and detailed picture, despite occasional softness.

Cinematographer Matias Boucard, known for his prior work on shorts and as an executive producer for "Pixels," brings a precise and deliberate visual style to "Don't Grow Up." The understated and undersaturated palette dominates both expansive landscapes and institutional interiors, making sporadic bursts of bright red blood particularly striking. Shudder's Blu-ray mastering at an average bitrate of 25 Mbps ensures a competent encode, allowing viewers to appreciate the film's intended visual nuances. Inserts featuring distressed video interviews of characters add authenticity to the narrative’s documentary-like segments. Overall, the Blu-ray video presentation delivers a satisfactory viewing experience that aligns with the film's artistic vision.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Don't Grow Up" features a lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack that, while functional, leaves room for improvement. The surround activity chiefly enhances ambient sounds and underscores the atmospheric thriller/horror score by Jes�s D�az and Fletcher Ventura, contributing to an immersive experience. However, the mix falls short in delivering clear dialogue, which occasionally gets lost amidst the background effects and music. This becomes a significant drawback since key plot points rely heavily on verbal exposition.

Overall, the audio design is proficient in establishing an unsettling mood but falters in balancing the speech elements with the broader soundscape. Viewers may find themselves struggling to catch every word during critical scenes due to this imbalance. The utilization of the rear channels to augment suspenseful moments is effective, but the core issue with dialogue clarity detracts from what could have been a thoroughly engaging auditory experience.

The extras provided on the "Don't Grow Up" Blu-ray offer a mix of promotional content and modest behind-the-scenes insights. The inclusion of BD-Live, albeit devoid of content, mirrors Magnolia Home Entertainment's approach, which Shudder has adopted for this release. Users can expect short, yet informative segments such as the making of the film and in-depth looks at the cast and crew. Unfortunately, introductory trailers for external content appear unskippable upon startup and cannot be accessed via the Special Features menu. These brief snippets provide a glimpse into the creation and conceptualization of the film, though they may leave some desiring more in-depth content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making of Don't Grow Up: Brief behind-the-scenes footage.
• On The Set: Languages And The Director: Insights into linguistic choices and direction.
• Inside The Group: Cast And Characters: Exploration of main cast and their roles.
• Don't Grow Up Trailer: Official film trailer.
• Introductory Trailers: Previews of other films and promotional spots.

"Don't Grow Up," directed by Thierry Poiraud, is a unique blend of coming-of-age drama and apocalyptic horror set in an eerie, desolate environment. Originally released in 2015 under the title "Alone," the film has only recently become accessible to wider audiences through a release by Shudder Films. Unlike traditional zombie flicks, "Don't Grow Up" focuses on a group of teenagers from a halfway house who wake up to find that every adult has vanished. This newfound freedom quickly turns nightmarish when they discover the reality: the remaining adults are feral and homicidal. The instability of their world forces the teens to confront maturity's dire implications in a setting where adulthood itself is a death sentence.

The film's pacing is methodical and grounded, adding layers to its narrative through character development rather than relying on frequent zombie confrontations. The young cast, comprising largely unknown British actors, authentically portrays the confusion and desperation of youth thrown into chaos. Yet, despite the promising premise and the atmospheric setting of Spain's Canary Islands, "Don't Grow Up" struggles with consistency. The film suffers from structural weaknesses, such as poorly executed editing and an underdeveloped plot, leaving crucial questions unanswered. This methodical build-up sometimes drags, lacking the momentum to drive viewers towards its grim conclusion convincingly.

The sparse population and oversized buildings of the fictional resort island stretch credulity and detract from the film's tension. Scenes meant to evoke suspense often fall flat due to lackluster atmosphere and failures in exposition. Despite this, Poiraud successfully creates an unsettling narrative backdrop, underpinned by a forbidding landscape that amplifies the overarching sense of isolation. Each teen's journey towards an undesired adulthood introduces intriguing emotional dimensions but lacks sufficient depth to offer lasting impact. Overall, "Don't Grow Up" offers an original twist on zombie lore but falters in its execution, making it an interesting yet imperfect addition to the genre.

"Don't Grow Up" ventures into the horror genre with a unique blend of coming-of-age elements, creating a hybrid that distinguishes itself from conventional zombie films. The film boasts a commendable teenage cast with standout performances by Fergus Riordan and Madeleine Kelly. Director Thierry Poiraud weaves a narrative reminiscent of "The Crazies" intertwined with the survivalistic themes of "Lord of the Flies." Despite its intriguing premise and occasional bursts of action, the movie's pacing leans heavily towards methodical and introspective, which may not satisfy all horror enthusiasts.

In terms of technical features, "Don't Grow Up" is presented in a 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio, offering a visually striking experience that complements its dark and atmospheric tone. The audio is delivered through an English DTS-HD MA 5.1 track, ensuring clarity and an immersive soundscape that enhances the film's tension. Several subtitle options, including English SDH and Spanish, make it accessible to a broader audience. Poiraud’s direction utilizes a mix of dynamic and brooding visuals, although at times, his stylistic choices arguably detract from the film's potential impact.

Overall, "Don't Grow Up" isn't the quintessential zombie film but serves as a solid horror entry with a thoughtful narrative approach. Its strength lies in its character-driven story and the way it intertwines fear with the angst of growing up. While its script and some directorial decisions might leave spaces for improvement, it remains an engaging watch. This Blu-ray is best suited for horror fans who appreciate slow-burn narratives with deeper themes beyond mere thrills.

Recommendation: A worthwhile rental for its distinct take on horror and coming-of-age storytelling.