Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		2.5

Don't Worry Darling 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Where's the beef?

Reviewed by Randy Miller III November 27, 2022

A modest hit despite the accompanying tidal wave of "production turmoil" gossip, actor-turned-director Olivia Wilde's sophomore effort Don't Worry Darling was famously at the center of a fierce bidding war after the runaway success of her first film, 2019's Booksmart. An attempt to smash the patriarchy in fictional business town Victory, California circa 1950, it's a fitfully engaging but fatally incomplete film that keeps viewers almost completely at arm's length while its purposefully flat and almost interchangeable characters crash violently into one another.

It sure looks pretty, though. But Don't Worry Darling's idyllic backdrop -- a sun-soaked suburban paradise where the men leave for work almost in perfect synchronicity (think of the similar scene in Edward Scissorhands, one of many films it takes visual cues from) while their attractive housewives tend to domestic duties -- predictably melts away to remind us that things aren't as they seem. Our perspective is mostly through the eyes Alice Chambers (Florence Pugh), wife of Jack (Harry Styles) who, like every other domestic goddess in the neighborhood, is encouraged not to ask any questions about her husband's career at Victory Headquarters, headed by the quietly domineering Frank (Chris Pine). Curiosity gets the best of Alice, especially in light of strange behavior from her friend Margaret (KiKi Layne), and she ventures out to HQ after witnessing a place crash from miles away. Margaret later confides in her about similar sights during her own visit to the strange building, but neither are able to convince anyone else about their shared visions. A dinner party with friends, including Frank, takes a turn for the worse after Alice is gaslit by him; this culminates in an empty house and a total rebuke from Jack, who lets her get taken away by men in red jumpsuits.

A spiritual cousin to The Stepford Wives with other borrowed thematic and visual elements from the likes of Get Out, The Truman Show, and even Requiem for a Dream (also shot by cinematographer Matthew Libatique), Don't Worry Darling features an interesting atmosphere and terrific lead performance by Florence Pugh... but flounders in almost every other category. Its narrative feels incomplete and even needlessly confusing at times; not in a way that mirrors the paranoia and potential unreliability of our central figure, but in a way that feels like the script is literally missing a few random pages and paragraphs. (An impossibly short backstory scene near the film's middle offers perhaps the best example of this -- it explains almost nothing and asks more questions than it answers.) A twist ending even attempts to correct course to a certain degree but, like the story itself, it seems like a clear case of "too little, too late."

For a similarly lukewarm take on the material, please see our theatrical review by Brian Orndorf.

Nonetheless, there's a certain itch that Don't Worry Darling attempts to scratch and, though it feels more like a misfire than some sort of hidden gem ripe for rediscovery, fans of its cast may want to judge for themselves. To Warner Bros.' credit, the film's notorious production turbulence -- which I won't even get into, because enough ink has been spilled already -- has not sabotaged its debut on home video, as fans are treated to this full-fledged 4K combo pack in addition to a separate Blu-ray/DVD set. Both editions feature similarly great A/V specs and almost no extras.

Don't Worry Darling 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Cinematographer Matthew Libatique shot Don't Worry Darling digitally with the ARRI Alexa LF and Mini LF at 4.5K source resolution with a true 4K digital intermediate; this provides a consistently sturdy foundation for Warner Bros.' exceptional 2160p, HDR10-enhanced transfer. From the lush and almost candy-colored outdoor footage (complete with impossibly green lawns, blue skies, and era-specific costume designs) to its warm and mostly inviting interiors, this is quite an attractive looking film and it plays without a hitch. Fine detail and textures are equally impressive in close-ups and much wider shots alike, with suitably excellent density and depth that give it a very thick and rich level of stability. Shadow detail and near-blacks hold up extremely well with no signs of posterization, black crush, or other compression artifacts, while that HDR10 enhancement -- which likewise gives those exterior and interior colors a substantial but entirely tasteful boost -- provides satisfyingly wide contrast levels that also extend to the bright whites of harsh lights and reflections. All things considered, it's a truly excellent presentation all around, with the curious absence of Dolby Vision (which is apparently available in streaming versions) being the only missed opportunity here.

For my thoughts on the included Blu-ray's comparatively strong 1080p transfer (which is the source for this review's screenshots), please see my separate review of that title.

Don't Worry Darling 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Not surprisingly, the default Dolby Atmos mix (which, as always, unfolds to TrueHD 7.1 if your receiver doesn't support the newer format) provides a similarly strong foundation for its excellent sound design. Truth be told, it doesn't travel into territory unexplored by previous films in the suspense thriller genre: front-loaded dialogue is occasionally broken up by creative surround usage, whether it's a fully organic part of the scene or added for stylistic purposes, like when the walls start closing in on poor Alice. (At one point, quite literally so.) LFE support is substantial during key moments, likewise adding to the tension in a way that doesn't seem overcooked. Although yours truly wasn't expecting a 5/5 rating for this film, it certainly swings for the fences at times and shows no tangible room for improvement.

Optional foreign dubs and subtitles are included during the main feature and applicable extras.

Don't Worry Darling 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This two-disc release ships in a dual-hubbed keepcase with poster-themed cover art and a Digital Copy code. Not surprisingly given its production difficulties, extras are slim and can be found on the Blu-ray disc only.

• The Making of Don't Worry, Darling (17:54) - Despite its longer than expected length, this BTS featurette doesn't dig terribly deep; it's closer to a promotional fluff piece than the kind of in-depth analysis (or scathing tell-all) than some fans may have been hoping for. But if nothing else, it features director/actor Olivia Wilde front and center, who isn't shy about her enthusiasm for making the film and working with its cast and crew.

• Alice's Nightmare (0:54) - A short and almost context-free deleted scene, this black-and-white sequence is similar in style to the one seen in the film. Surely more (and better) cut material exists than this?

Don't Worry Darling 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Olivia Wilde's Don't Worry Darling is a film with strong "social statement" ambitions that fall flat due to its lackluster script and hit-or-miss performances, whether a direct result of the turbulent production or even earlier reasons. It's still fitfully engaging and probably worth a watch for fans of the cast, but obviously not a recommended blind buy unless you've seen and enjoyed it already. Those who fall for its charms will appreciate Warner Bros.' welcome 4K combo pack, which serves up a fantastic A/V presentation but comes up disappointingly short on extras.