4K Digital Review: Barbarian

 

Director Zach Cregger has pieced together a fantastic horror film with Barbarian. The cast is wonderful here with Georgina Campbell as Tess, Justin Long as AJ and Bill Skarsgard as Keith. The basic premise is that Tess arrives at her Airbnb in Detroit only to find that there is already another renter there named Keith. 

The tension between the two strangers who do not trust each other is perfect. You will be on the edge of your seat until the film takes another turn when the Airbnb owner AJ shows up. Campbell is fantastic here playing someone who has to overcome their terror of confronting their own fears and be brave enough to survive. Skarsgard is great as well but Long really shines. He is a perfect blend of a villain who is also pretty funny and dumb all at the same time.  Surround this with some over-the-top scenes and some dark comedy and you have a horror film unlike any other and is a welcome change to the genre. 

Video:

The video is a really great 2160p UHD 4K transfer on streaming platforms. The dark basement areas are inky black and the Airbnb is warm with rich orange and browns. Later on in the film, we see the landscapes and buildings in beautiful primary colors. One flashback to the 1950s brings the pastels of the homes to life. Other details such as close-ups of physical makeup effects, gore and blood are vivid. Skin, clothing textures and environmental details are amazing.  

Audio:

The digital release comes with a digital 5.1 audio mix. Dialogue is crisp and easy to follow. Environmental sounds such as rain and thunder are low in the background with a low rumble with the bass. Sounds such as gunshots, car engines, frightened breathing and people screaming all sound fantastic. The surround channels bring the creaking sounds of the house to life. 

Bonus Features:

Featurette 

• Behind Barbarian - Director Zach Cregger and the cast and crew discuss both the unique and familiar horror elements that make Barbarian terrifying and reveal the inspiration behind the horrific tale. 

 

Deleted Scenes 

• Bonnie 
• Doug Extended
• Tess Calls Marcus
• The Rat

Conclusion:

Barbarian is a welcomed addition to the horror movie genre. It is a solid movie with wonderful characters, a story that it all too real, some wonderful laughs and really great scares. The video and audio are great but I wish there were more bonus features such as an audio commentary. But I recommend it solely for the film itself. 

Barbarian is out on all major digital platforms already. 

*A review copy of the film was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the sole purpose of review and the review is strictly my own opinion.*