It Comes at Night

It Comes at Night" makes its Blu-ray debut from Lionsgate Films, projecting a chilling cinematic experience via an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the original cinematic aspect ratio of 2.39:1. Enhanced by the technical merits of being shot on Arri Alexa XT cameras and finalized with a 2K DI, the visual presentation strives for authenticity, albeit with a deliberately dreary tone. The filmmakers' choice to embrace darkness not only as a thematic element but also as a predominant visual motif, manifests through scenes swathed in shadows, illuminated sparingly by dim sources like a solitary camp lantern. This choice in lighting, while effective in elevating the film's tense atmosphere, can occasionally obscure finer details and texture in the darker sequences. However, when daylight breaks, the image refreshes, revealing a more detailed and dimensioned scene despite the intentionally desaturated and cool grey-green palette.

The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 image retains a cinematic quality, with a moderated digital grain that underscores the movie’s gritty realism, though this can lead to a noisier appearance in certain shadow-laden shots. Noteworthy is the fact that the movie's aspect ratio subtly shifts in some scenes to 2:55:1 and 3.00:1, enhancing visual storytelling but potentially drawing attention to the lighter blacks compared to the letterbox bars during fades, which could distract some viewers. Colors throughout are muted, fittingly reflecting the film’s bleak themes, while contrast levels effectively punctuate the darkness with brighter elements such as flashlight beams or firelight. Though blacks tend to appear more grey than deep black, contributing to a somewhat softer image in low-light conditions, this seems an intentional choice accentuating the film's haunting aesthetic. Despite these nuances, no significant digital artifacts or compression issues mar the presentation, ensuring that "It Comes at Night" is delivered with an intentional visual style that complements its narrative of despair and isolation.

It Comes at Night" presents an audibly captivating experience with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that adeptly combines detailed ambient sounds and striking surround bursts to immerse the viewer. The audio intricately balances between understated environmental nuances, such as rustling leaves and distant animal calls when outside, and more dynamic moments like thunderous explosions in action-heavy scenes. This creates a believably tense atmosphere, essential for the film's eerie narrative. Dialogue clarity is consistently maintained, despite some characters engaging in whispered exchanges or their speech being slightly obscured by gas masks, which only occasionally affects the audibility of lines. The fidelity across this cleanly produced track is commendable, ensuring that every sound detail, from subtle footsteps moving across the scene to the soft ambient underscore, is crisply rendered.

The mix's directionality is notably precise, with sounds moving seamlessly across the channels to create a palpable sense of space and movement. This use of the soundstage, from the creak of a floorboard to the sudden impact of a gunshot, adds layers of depth to the viewing experience. Furthermore, the dynamic range on display here is impressive, punctuated by moments of stark silence interrupted by powerful audio outbursts—each scream, gunshot, or musical cue lands with impactful force, making excellent use of the low-frequency effects (LFE) channel during peak moments of tension.

Despite a few instances of muffled dialogue due to the characters’ use of gas masks and intentional whispers, the track excels in crafting an isolated and foreboding atmosphere that mirrors the film's visual tension. The detailed layering of ambient sounds alongside sudden aggressive effects encapsulates the viewer in the film’s uncertain world, enhancing the overall unease and suspense. This audio presentation contributes significantly to "It Comes at Night's" immersive and unsettling cinematic experience.

The extra features of the "It Comes at Night" Blu-ray present an insightful glimpse into the film's making, offering fans a comprehensive look behind the scenes. The audio commentary with writer/director Trey Edward Shults and actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. provides an engaging and somewhat informal exploration of the movie's origins, casting decisions, and the specifics of certain scenes' execution, including the planning, shooting style, and occasional friendly disagreements that arose during production. Additionally, the "Human Nature: Creating It Comes at Night" documentary proves to be an above-average EPK (Electronic Press Kit), clocking in at roughly 30 minutes of high-definition content. It delves deep into the movie's development process, featuring enlightening interviews with the cast and crew, alongside on-set footage. This documentary thoroughly examines the film’s thematic essence, storyboarding, cinematography, location scouting, editing, sound design, and musical score, making it a must-watch for enthusiasts wanting to understand the filmmaking process more intimately.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Trey Edward Shults and Actor Kelvin Harrison Jr.: A detailed exploration of the film's creation from script to screen.
• Human Nature: Creating It Comes at Night: A documentary that provides an in-depth look at the movie’s production, including interviews and on-set footage.

It Comes at Night," directed by Trey Edward Shults, delves into the psychological horror genre with a minimalist approach that echoes the thematic elements of isolation and dread found in the scarcely known indie film "Plague." Set against a post-apocalyptic backdrop where an enigmatic illness has ravaged the population, the story follows Paul, Sarah, and their son, Travis, as they barricade themselves in a remote house in the forest in a desperate attempt to survive. The family's fragile sanctuary is disrupted when they encounter another group seeking refuge. The film meticulously crafts a narrative that is as much about the specters of mistrust and paranoia within the walls of their makeshift home as it is about the unseen horrors lurking outside.

Shot with precision, the film employs long takes and a claustrophobic aspect ratio in dream sequences to heighten the sense of encroaching doom, while its dimly lit interiors and sparing use of dialogue underscore the prevailing atmosphere of tension and impending catastrophe. The narrative's strength lies in its exploration of human nature under duress, pivoting around Travis’ perspective as the young protagonist whose internal turmoil and fear reflect the external chaos. Yet, despite its compelling setup and solid performances, particularly from Joel Edgerton as Paul, the film's pacing stumbles across its runtime, leading to an anticlimactic denouement that might leave audiences yearning for more conventional horror thrills.

While "It Comes at Night" successfully recoups its modest investment through critical acclaim, it tread familiar ground within its genre, lacking significant innovation in its plot progression. The film strategically leverages ambiguity and the power of suggestion to evoke fear, avoiding graphic displays of violence in favor of psychological depth. However, this choice—alongside a narrative that ultimately feels somewhat unresolved—may not resonate with all viewers, positioning the film as a noteworthy, though not groundbreaking, entry in the realm of psychological horror.

It Comes at Night," a film that ventures far beyond the typical boundaries of the horror genre, offers a deep, psychological exploration into the dark corners of human nature and survival amidst despair. Steering clear of conventional horror clichés, the film delves into the brutal realities of a post-apocalyptic world, where circumstances force characters into ruthlessness, invoking a mix of despair and introspection among viewers. This thematic depth is complemented by remarkable performances that heighten the movie's intense, foreboding atmosphere, making it a compelling yet challenging watch.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray release does justice to the film's intricate moodiness. The video and audio quality are robust, preserving the film's eerie ambiance effectively. Additional content like director commentary and behind-the-scenes documentaries enriches the viewing experience further, providing insights into the movie's creative process. Noteworthy is the film’s departure from fast-paced horror, opting instead for a slow burn that methodically builds its unsettling psychological focus. Amidst its exploration of fear and the dark facets of survival, some may find the pace testing, yet it undeniably contributes to the film’s unique appeal.

In conclusion, "It Comes at Night" stands out as an atypically haunting piece within the horror genre, bolstered by its excellent Blu-ray presentation. Its emphasis on the psychological aspects of fear and survival, paired with stellar audiovisual quality and insightful bonus features, makes it a recommendable choice for those yearning for a film that challenges both emotionally and intellectually. However, viewers should brace for a film experience that demands patience and contemplation, rewarding those willing to immerse themselves in its bleak yet thought-provoking narrative.