Æon Flux 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Æon Flux 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 25, 2025

Paramount has released the 2005 film Aeon Flux to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless audio. The disc replaces a significantly aged 2006 release (it's so old it's numerical annotation in the Blu-ray.com database is literally "1," making that old BD something of a piece of history). But this new UHD at least replaces that issue's lossy soundtrack, but without going the "extra mile" of offering it in the Atmos configuration. There are also no new supplements, but the included BD, which is the same as that 2006 release, contains the legacy extras. At time of writing, this release also ships exclusively in SteelBook packaging.

For a few thoughts on the film, see the original Blu-ray.com review of the 2006 Blu-ray by clicking here.

Æon Flux 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

When Aeon Flux released to Blu-ray 19 years ago (yes, it's really been that long!) it featured a now very antiquated MPEG-2 encode. Needless to say, 19 years and another format means that this UHD far exceeds the quality of the previous issue. I don't see much use expending digital ink on comparing the two. It's enough to say "this one's far, far better" and just talk about what makes this a really good UHD rather than just say "it's far better than the Blu-ray in this area or that one" in every sentence.

Paramount's new 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD release looks nice. Strikingly nice. The 2160p resolution brings with it crisp and efficient details that are complemented by a fine and consistent grain structure that brings the film to the home theater screen with all of the cinematic credentials one could want. Facial close-ups represent the best of what the image has to offer, where viewers will see every fine detail with clarity that looks to approach best case scenario for the film. Certainly, location details are also well rendered, as are natural elements (though digital elements masquerading as real elements, like the famous "grass" scene, really look pretty poor at this resolution, but that's the nature of the VFX, not a fault of the image). But on the whole this image is very sharp and naturally so, with no evidence of grain reduction or unnecessary tampering.

Colors are attractive, from dark black attire to crisp white locations. The Dolby Vision grading breathes significant new life into the spectrum compared to the last Blu-ray (we had to get a comparison in there somewhere!), amplifying the tonal parameters and bringing a sense of depth and pop that suits the material very well. Those blacks really hold steady, whites are brilliantly punchy, and everything in between finds a very natural appearance, looking splendidly vivid where vividness is warranted and steadily true in some of the less edgy and punchy colors.

I did not notice any print anomalies or encode issues with this one, either. Everything looks great, and fans should be delighted with what they see on their screens.

Æon Flux 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As with the video, the (now nearly ancient) Blu-ray featured a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 lossless soundtrack. While Paramount has almost inexplicably foregone an Atmos soundtrack for this new UHD upgrade, it has at least done away with the lossy mix in favor of a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 encode. And, while it lacks the serious immersive characteristics that Atmos might have provided, the content here is plenty active and lively, granting new life to the aged audio presentation of years gone by.

The film's sound design is a little dated. It lacks refinement and subtlety but the new lossless track definitely allows it to present with all of the clarity and verve one could want. On top of that, spacing is very good and discrete effects pop in and sound traverses through the listening area with pretty seamless fluidity. The track offers a nice blend of potency and reservedness, though neither reaches a level of absolute audible perfection. Balance is never perfect, either, but I think that is a product of the chunky and over-engineered sound design elements. Music is rich and full and dialogue is clear and centered for the duration.

Æon Flux 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of Aeon Flux contains no extras on the UHD disc proper, not even the commentaries; all extras will have to be accessed via the included 2006 Blu-ray. See below for a list of what's included and please click here for full coverage.

• Audio Commentary: Actor Charlize Theron and Producer Gale Anne Hurd
• Audio Commentary: Co-Screenwriters Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi.
• Creating a World: Aeon Flux
• The Locations of Aeon Flux
• The Stunts of Aeon Flux
• The Costume Design Workshop of Aeon Flux
• The Craft of the Set Photographer on Aeon Flux
• Theatrical Trailer
• Previews

This SteelBook features a rather uncreative front cover. In fact, it's essentially just the familiar artwork that adorned the 2006 Blu-ray, but with the logo at the bottom removed and the film's title moved from the bottom to the top. Theron's name is given a larger font size and the background is an airier blue rather than the bolder blue from the previous issue. The rear panel features that front-removed red triangle/pyramid shape with the eye inside of it. It's red, fills a fair chunk of the panel, and the scuffed blue background carries over. The front and rear panels are glossy and smooth. The spine retains the blue color with the film's title, center, in a white/silver-gray color and the logo at the front of it in the same color. A Paramount logo has been placed at the top.

Inside, the digital copy code is tucked underneath the left-hand-side tabs. The two discs, one UHD and one Blu-ray, are situated on the right in staggered-stacked formation. The inner print is a two-panel spread that features Aeon Flux on the left, holding up a gun and reaching for a sword behind her back with her right hand. On the right panel are the words "the future is flux" scrawled in red against a dark blue background.

Æon Flux 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I can't say I loved even a minute of Aeon Flux. It's just so...routine. It just...tries too hard. It's just...not cool despite trying so hard to be "cool." But fans should find plenty to like about this new UHD. The 2160p/Dolby Vision video is first-class. The 5.1 lossless soundtrack is a nice upgrade from the BD's 5.1 lossy presentation, but an Atmos track would have been preferred. No new extras are included, but buyers get the old BD in the package. The SteelBook is fine. Recommended to fans.