Homestead Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Homestead Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 22, 2026

There has been an unmistakable draw towards dark days and end times in the modern fiction scene, be that on the big or small screen or in the pages of literature. Why? Maybe the writing really is on the wall. Maybe people want a glimpse of what the future might hold. But it's also fertile ground for human interest stories and opportunity to celebrate the human will to survive that might hold the appeal. All of those things are the focus of Homestead, a movie from Angel Studios that focuses on a nuclear detonation in Los Angeles and the sprawling repercussions it has across the country and the world, but with its tightest focus on a luxurious ranch in the Rockies where an assemblage of people struggle to survive, do the right thing, and love their neighbors in the midst of great uncertainty and chaos playing out in the world around them, including right up to the gate and even in their own ranks.

Everyday life is happening across the country, but everything is disrupted — deeply and, it would seem, permanently — when a nuclear weapon explodes of the coast of California. There is a ripple effect: power goes out on the east coast and society from coast to coast quickly breaks down. There is a mass convergence on a luxurious homestead in the Rockies owned by Ian Ross (Neal McDonough), a man with a plan and plenty of supplies to hold out for the long haul, both for his family and the various people, both extended family and armed military security he has hired to come in case of emergency. That military team is led by Jeff Erickson (Bailey Chase), a no-nonsense type who demands greatly tightened security, especially with untrustworthy survivalist neighbors nearby and a growing crowd of people looking for food and shelter amassing on the outside of the compound. Things get dicey when tensions rise and conflict over what to do with the hungry people outside; Ian believes that there’s not enough to be generous, while his wife Jenna (Dawn Olivieri) finds her heart overflowing with compassion for them. But as it is, they have everything from wheat to belt-fed machine guns…and a whole lot of property to defend. As the days pass, pressure builds on those inside and outside the compound.

Homestead accomplishes its mission of building up an unnerving and tense world once the bomb goes off, allowing for an effortless gateway into the tension that quickly mounts on both sides of the fence at the compound. The opening sequence is terrific. It’s less of a Hollywood spectacle and more of a real life “what if,” focusing more on characters and less on the destruction and dynamics of a nuclear weapon explosion. This is not a film that follows the path of destruction, shows buildings exploding, and all of that. Rather, it focuses more in the internal implosions that happen amongst a gaggle of characters, following their responses from the moments after the explosion through the timeframe in which the movie takes place.

But that gaggle of characters turns out to be one of the film’s weaknesses. Homestead plays like an extended pilot for the TV show, which it is. It covers a lot of ground with a lot of characters. It’s too much to keep up with in a 110-minute movie, so those who are frustrated by coming to know the characters through faces and not names, actions rather than emotions, especially in those second- and third-tier rungs, will want to pick up with the TV show in order to better come to terms with everything that’s happening and everyone that’s involved. The film does a great job of setting the stage, but I think the real money is going to be found in the TV show. I must follow that with the disclaimer that I have not yet watched the show, but I will be watching it in the coming days.

Otherwise, the film earns high marks for production design, acting, and the like. McDonough and Olivieri are strong as a married couple with increasingly varied views on how to handle life in the compound, with the former counting supplies and calculating caloric needs and the later coming to deeply believe that they have an obligation to care for the people amassing outside of the gate. This becomes the real driving force in the film, especially in the third act. There is some intense human drama at play as well, including the story of Abe (Tyler Lofton), a teenager who finds himself dealing with the immediate, very personal, and longer-term repercussions following his direct involvement in the most calamitous moment in the movie.

Homestead Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Angel Studios releases Homestead to Blu-ray with a crisp and satisfying 1080p transfer. The image is digital clean and absolutely pristine. One can imagine some higher end detail at 4K, but this is really solid stuff at 1080p. Viewers will be able to see intricate facial textures, fine clothing lines, and resplendent details on various foodstuffs and plants inside and around the compound. Natural trees and leaves are razor sharp, and even small print and fine wear on firearms are plainly evident. Colors are bold and accurate. Look at the 42-minute mark where an intense fire rages with brilliant orange flames dancing on the screen. Fall foliage and natural greenery around the compound are also faithful and bold. Splashes of additional colors, on everything from clothing to blood, look full and vivid. Skin tones appear accurate, white balance is terrific, and black levels are solid. Viewers might spot the odd burst of macro blocking (look at the 3:44 mark for one example) and slight noise in lower light, but this is otherwise a clean and accurate picture.

Homestead Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As is pretty much the norm with Angel Studios releases, Homestead settles onto Blu-ray with a Dolby Digital 5.1 lossy soundtrack. While something with more finesse and accuracy is always welcome, I can't say that I was at any time overtly disappointed with this offering. Overall definition and detail are solid to all components, including music, atmosphere, and some more intense elements, like a few gunshots (though a larger shootout towards the end of the film has been reduced for dramatic effect). Surrounds carry a healthy amount of information, again pointing to music and action. Bass is alive and well when necessary, especially during a fire mentioned above in the 42-minute mark. Dialogue is clear and precise with solid front-center placement.

Homestead Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Homestead contains the following supplements, none of which directly relate to the making of the movie but rather offer previews of the spinoff TV shows available through Angel.

• Homestead: The Series (1080p, DD 2.0, 51:44): The first episode from season one.
• Homestead: Family Survival (1080p, DD 2.0, 22:50): The first episode from season one.
• Trailers (1080p): Included are Homestead, Rule Breakers, The King of Kings, and The Last Rodeo. An Angel Promo is also included.

Homestead Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I have a hunch that Homestead is going to work best when paired with the TV show (episode one is conveniently included on this disc) but even as a standalone film this is well worth watching for the focus on the human interest rather than the destruction in the aftermath of a nuclear explosion. That so little time and attention is given to the catalyst speaks volumes, and the film is much better for looking internally rather than externally for its draw. The Blu-ray looks terrific, sounds as good as can be expected with a lossy soundtrack, and even through I wish there were some commentaries or behind-the-scenes bonus features, it is nice having a preview of the TV show included. Recommended!