Azrael Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Azrael Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 7, 2025

In 2023, John Woo’s “Silent Night” attempted to pull off a revenge tale with little to no dialogue, relying on the performers to physically communicate all the feelings as a violent odyssey was explored. Now there’s “Azrael,” which goes without dialogue for 99% of the endeavor, also examining terror and determination as plans of vengeance and survival skills are tracked. It’s the newest film from director E.L. Katz, who made a strong impression with 2013’s “Cheap Thrills,” only to lose some career momentum with 2017’s greatly disappointing “Small Crimes.” He’s back into fighting form with “Azrael,” joined by screenwriter Simon Barrett (“You’re Next,” “The Guest”) for this blunt study of self-preservation, with the production putting its faith in star Samara Weaving to deliver all the panic involved in this tale of one mute woman’s mission to protect what little light remains in her bleak existence. It’s a hostile, suspenseful picture, and it pulls off its central gimmick quite well as matters intensify for a character who can’t scream.

The Rapture has decimated the world, with the leftovers limited to those capable of surviving in packs or on their own. Azrael (Samara Weaving) is a mute woman trying to remain out of sight with her boyfriend, Kenan (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), fearful of blackened creatures who respond to sound, prowling around the forest. One afternoon while foraging for food, Azrael and Kenan are jumped by a local cult, taken prisoner as the couple is separated, leaving Azrael panicked and alone. She’s offered as a blood sacrifice by the gang, with leader Josefine (Katariina Unt) doing her duty by feeding the monsters, only to watch Azrael escape into the night. Gathering her courage, Azrael seeks out the cult’s camp, discovering more about their living situation and the power of pregnant priestess Miriam (Vic Carmen Sonne), who’s careful to maintain order with the monsters as Josefine attempts to recapture her prey.

There’s not much information provided during “Azrael” that explains what’s exactly going on. The writing leaves a lot of the details to audience imagination, but the basics involve a post-Rapture world where the “sin of speech” is respected in full. There are silent survivors roaming the world, and Azrael is one of them. She has a mark on her throat, hinting that her voice wasn’t taken by choice, and she’s trying to live in some form of peace with Kenan, who’s committed an additional sin by lighting a crackling fire in the forest to keep warm. Noise is the trigger in the picture, with the scenario eerily similar to the “Quiet Place” franchise, as Barrett also arranges an endurance test for his characters, keeping them on the move as a vicious enemy patrols for sounds.

The lovers are soon separated, and Azrael is subjected to the mad plans of the cult when she’s bound to a chair and offered as a meal to the creatures, who have a fondness for snacking on throats. “Azrael” goes into hunt mode, following the lead character as she tries to get away from cult enforcers, only to encounter more challenges in the forest, putting pressure on her to remain as quiet as possible. There are tense moments with ghoulish makeup effects, and a more defined plot emerges when Azrael elects to collect Kenan, making her way to the encampment, where some sense of order is found. “Azrael” arranges a mystery in Miriam, who’s about to give birth, leading the community in a church-like setting where a prophecy of sorts is painted on the walls. Josefine and the priestess have a connection, putting the enforcer on the move to kill Azrael, who causes trouble as she desperately hunts for her lover.

Azrael Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers a decently sharp viewing experience for "Azrael." Detail is generally strong on skin particulars, examining the wear and tear on the characters and their griminess. Makeup achievements are also open for inspection, securing gruesome artistry. Forest experiences maintain depth, preserving a feel for the open world and its threats. Limited interiors carry dimension, and decorative additions are easily understood. Color is steady, favoring a colder palette with forest encounters, working through defined greenery. Campsite and church events are also cooler, with woodsier hues, and blood is sharp red. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Compression largely holds together, with some dips into banding.

Azrael Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix deals with a feature that only has a few spoken lines. The rest of the track is devoted to the heavy breathing and grunting of the characters, which passes here for dialogue exchanges. Voices, muted and chanting, are defined throughout the listening event. Scoring supports with sharp instrumentation and circular position, as musical moods, including soundtrack selections, work into the surrounds. Low-end carries some weight during hard hits of violence. Atmospherics are intense at times, with a circular sense of forest activity and evil movement. Sound effects are appropriately crunchy and gushy.

Azrael Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director E.L. Katz, screenwriter Simon Barrett, and co-producer Dan Kagan.

• "Church Fight Featurette: Pre-Visual vs. Final Cut" (1:51) explores a climactic event in "Azrael," offering a split-screen appreciation of the scene's initial form, where stunt performers worked with cardboard to sell the intensity of the moment.

• "Makeup Special FX by Dan Martin" (37:05, HD) examines the ghoulish highlights of "Azrael." Commentary is provided by Martin, who presents ample video and photo evidence of his team's creative accomplishments, working out the kinks on gruesome encounters in the film. BTS footage is always welcome, supplying an understanding of the stages of craftsmanship and experimentation, and Martin also goes over the fine details of the work. Topics include "Burnt Ones," "Head Removal," "Neck Tear," "Antichrist," and "Extra Bits."

• Behind the Scenes (HD) is split into two clips: "Church After Dark" (:11) and "Tent Village" (1:29). The length of these offerings is disappointing, but some sense of the production in motion is shared, watching the crew members in action, also providing a tour of the set.

• Concept Art Gallery is split into two subjects: "Church" (:06) and "Creatures" (:04). Again, not much here, but there's some interesting design work and disturbing monsters to briefly explore.

• Set Design Gallery is divided up into six subjects: "The Church: Exterior" (:09), "The Church: Interior" (:11), "Tent Village" (:12), "Sacrificial Chair" (:05), "Graveyard" (:06), and "Vehicles." As with the other offering on this release, there's only a small collection of images to examine, but what's here clearly highlights attention to detail from the design team.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Azrael Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Katz keeps "Azrael" in motion, ordering up various challenges to the woman's safety, including a brawl with a gunman trying to kill her. The character becomes more feral as she goes, encountering all sorts of trouble, and Katz endeavors to make a visually exciting film, going claustrophobic and ferocious as the situation gets bloodier for all. Weaving delivers a nicely fatigued performance, offering an expressionistic turn as Azrael is threatened and beaten, and the supporting cast also contributes intense interpretations of panic. There's more going on in "Azrael," especially as it nears its enigmatic conclusion, but most of the feature is devoted to the adrenaline rush of survival, offering a pure cinematic viewing experience that hits intended beats of terror.