Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Bloodline Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 10, 2020

While it does not take long for 'Bloodline' to set itself on its forward path, discussing even some of the early film plot lines might be considered to enter spoiler territory. Those early film reveals are discussed in the review below. The movie is best enjoyed as blindly as possible.

Family comes first and death is the consequence of not adhering to that truth. In Writer/Director Henry Jacobson's bloody Blumhouse film Bloodline, a family man with a history of abuse puts himself on the front lines of protecting those who have been hurt as judge, jury, and executioner. The film builds its story on a history of hurt in the presence of newfound joy, exploring the life and motivations of an antihero protagonist whose own life of abuse propels him to make things right within his own black and white vision of right and wrong. The picture's outward depictions of violence are countered by complex internal psychology that doesn't necessarily challenge the audience to come to the main character's side and accept his point of view but rather to dig into his psyche and at least see where and how his perspective has been nurtured over the years.

Evan Cole (Sean William Scott) is a high school counselor who only sees abused children. He himself was abused by his father as a child. He is also a new father to a beautiful baby boy named Andrew to whom he makes a vow: he will never hurt, judge, or leave him. He will never allow anything bad to happen to him. But there’s a problem: the baby is not feeding well at the breast and not gaining weight, pushing his wife Lauren (Mariela Garriga) into a living panic. His overbearing mother Marie (Dale Dickey) inserts herself into the equation, taking much of the burden off her son’s and daughter-in-law’s hands, much to Lauren’s disapproval. Evan’s life is not just about the baby, though. He’s taken to protecting the students in his care by murdering those people, often close family, who have hurt them. As he attempts to care for his family and students by day and does his dirty work at night, he finds life increasingly difficult as suspicions arise within his family, law enforcement, and his students and as the body count rapidly increases.

For those entering the movie blindly, it is perhaps a bit of a surprise to discover that Cole is a murderer. After all, he's depicted as a good man who cares for his students and deeply, relentlessly loves his family. But his life is defined by pain. It's best not to reveal the details about his past in this space, but suffice it to say he's coming into the killings not without his own baggage from the past and motivation in several walks of life. But the film isn't quite so linear as that. There is a surprise midway through and the movie builds towards a plot twist that isn't easy to see coming. Altogether it's an interesting tangle of the human condition: rights and wrongs broadly but also a study of how life experience, life needs, and both rational and irrational thought and action can change courses and perspectives over time. The film is not quite so deep as it might have been, but it makes honest effort to support the basic story with challenging psychological notes that leave the viewer more satisfied with the narrative content than the bloody gore in support.

The movie is quite gory, with the kills going for the jugular -- literally -- and spilling a significant amount of blood along the way. It's brutal and unforgiving, though some digital blood is obvious at times. The cast is game for the violence and the deeper issues that run through the story, working through all of the psychological avenues with careful attention to character authenticity and growth along the way. Mariela Garriga turns in good work as Evan's wife Lauren, whose story throughout the film is perhaps most interesting of all. Henry Jacobson and co-writers Avra Fox-Lerne and Will Honley do a good job of both foundation laying and structure building throughout the film. There are necessarily a few flashbacks but most of the action and development takes place in the present as the past's tentacles steer several directions at once. Jacobson doesn't much aim for atmosphere with the movie's style; his vision is more straightforward, allowing the actors and the story's reach to carry the film rather than any sort of technical component.

Bloodline Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Bloodline is presented at an aspect ratio of 2.00:1. The digitally photographed image delivers a clear picture built on a solid foundation. The picture showcases fine detailing in close-up, including natural pores, lines, and hairs, the usual suspects, so to speak, in evaluating baseline Blu-ray and source competency. In addition, various locations throughout the film offer good clean lines and accentuate details, whether in Evans' school office, his home, in an abandoned mansion, or in the hospital. Colors fare well. Much of the movie takes place in darker environments but tones hold steady under the surrounding lighting conditions. There's good neutral contrast and positive saturation. Flesh tones are fine. Black levels appear a little thin in a few places, such as a nighttime exterior at the 25-minute mark. A hint of aliasing may be seen on the blinds at the 64-minute mark. Light noise appears at times throughout but is nothing out of the ordinary. In total this is a fine image from Universal.

Bloodline Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Bloodline's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack never falls short of expectations. The track is fully capable in all areas, perhaps doing little of ear-opening note but handling assigned duties without flaw. One of the more interesting highlights, approaching reference level if only for the activity and uniqueness, comes when a symphony of crying baby sounds swirl around the stage around a 15-minute mark montage to strikingly real and immersive effect. Clarity of these and all elements is superior and general stage spacing and engagement is regular. The track presents music with good fundamental front-end placement and detail while supported by modest surround and subwoofer usage. A few gunshots, knife stabs, and other action-type effects offer good natural detail. Dialogue is clear and well prioritized as it steadily flows from its natural front-center location.

Bloodline Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Bloodline contains no supplementary features. No DVD or digital codes are included. This release does not appear to ship with a slipcover.

Bloodline Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Bloodline explores a life view that believe peace comes from death, that murder is appropriate when conducted in the name of justice. It's not a straight vigilante film, however. It's more a psychological study with Horror notes as well as a family drama component. All of the elements have some level of identifiable draw, and they mesh rather well together. It's not perfect, but the film has a lot of value along each of those fronts. Good performances and solid, unobtrusive direction compliment. Universal's Blu-ray is disappointingly featureless but the video and audio presentations are rock-solid. Worth a look.