Humane Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

Humane Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 22, 2026

One has to wonder what the holidays are like in the Cronenberg household. Iconic director David Cronenberg has generated a family business with his offspring, as son Brandon has helmed three pictures (including 2023’s “Infinity Pool”), and now daughter Caitlin makes her feature-length directorial debut with “Humane,” building on her celebrated photography career. Keeping up with her father and brother, Caitlin offers her own slice of doom with the endeavor, which follows the events of a special family gathering during the ecological collapse of Earth, studying relationships and hostilities while facing an impossible time of decision and accusation. “Humane” is a dark comedy, a funny one at times, and Cronenberg shows skill with performances and tone, going to some rather bleak places cooked up by screenwriter Michael Sparaga. It’s a bizarre film, but one that holds attention with its sinister sense of humor and authentic sense of sibling resentment, which launches a most askew thriller.

With the world on fire, countries around the world have agreed to meet population reduction goals to help slow the depletion of natural resources. This includes euthanasia enlistment, which is overseen by the Department of Citizen Strategy. Charles (Peter Gallagher) is an ex-newscaster making a hard decision about the state of the world, electing to enlist with his wife, celebrity chef Dawn (Uni Park), preparing a final meal with his children to say goodbye. Joining the evening are Jared (Jay Baruchel), a professor and government ally; Noah (Sebastian Chacon) is a former drug addict trying to clean up his life; Ashley (Alanna Bale) is a struggling actress; and Rachel (Emily Hampshire) is a pharmaceutical executive currently on trial for killing users, bringing along daughter Mia (Sirena Gulamgaus). Charles shares word of his decision, causing tremendous stress on his children. However, the evening is quickly complicated when Dawn takes off, unable to go through with the procedure, while D.O.C.S. officials arrive, and rep Bob (a wonderful Enrico Colantoni) demands two bodies to satisfy the contract.

“Humane” doesn’t have a large budget, and Cronenberg limits the view of this new world order to a few shots of misery, including a line for water rationing, and there’s the persistent threat of the sun, finding citizens working hard to block the deadly rays. More direct are displays of television news, with Jared a fixture on these shows, defending government efforts to do something about the situation through population reduction goals (Canada isn’t meeting its quota). He’s not popular, joined by Rachel, who’s hated by most, and “Humane” effectively creates an understanding of family disorder and community routine, as trucks from D.O.C.S. make their stops, collecting bodies and paying families for their sacrifice. It’s ghoulish, but Cronenberg sets a semi-cheery atmosphere for the feature, and Sparaga brings these personalities to life in just a few moves, creating a special tension in the household that extends to everyone at the dinner party.

The black cloud of death hangs over the gathering, with Charles, once a trusted newsman, ready to do his part for the cause, joined by Dawn. Debate is tracked, with the kids shocked by such submission, and Sparaga slowly exposes longtime family issues, with Noah the adopted son, and he has numerous troubles to manage. “Humane” drills into the anxiety of the situation, but it also finds wonderfully strange ways to develop suspense, with the sudden departure of Dawn and the arrival of Bob altering the mood of what’s become a dysfunctional family showdown. Instead of rising anger, horror sets in as Bob requires someone to be taken with Charles, locking down the house while the kids are forced to decide who’s going to die with dad. Mia is pulled out of the running, sent to stay in a truck with Bob, whose peculiarities bend his medical training into something malevolent.

Humane Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation (1.85:1 aspect ratio) for "Humane" struggles with encoding issues, with patches of blockiness present during the viewing experience. Banding is also a common sight, with a few major flare-ups. Detail is appealing, capturing skin particulars, and textured household and medical additions are open for inspection. Clothing is decently fibrous. Domestic interiors maintain dimension. Exteriors are limited in the movie, but hold their depth, and signage is easily understood. Color is strong, often contrasting bright sunlight with darker hues inside the house. Medical team gear and greenery remains lively, and style choices provide deeper blues and grays. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is acceptable.

Humane Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

"Humane" is primarily a dialogue-driven picture, and the 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix remains mostly frontal. Dialogue exchanges are sharp, preserving emotionality and rising tempers without distortion. Scoring supports with clear instrumentation. Surrounds occasionally feel out musical moods, and mild atmospherics are present at times. Low-end isn't challenged, but heavier electronic beats are understood.

Humane Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet offers an essay by Nadine Whitney.

• Commentary features director Caitlin Cronenberg and writer/producer Michael Sparaga.

• Deleted Scenes (6:14, HD) are offered.

• Image Gallery (9:28) collects BTS snaps.

• "The Endings" (4:42, HD) is a short film from director Caitlin Cronenberg.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Humane Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Humane" breaks out into violence on occasion, and Cronenberg details her own appreciation for body horror, including the pulling of teeth and crude cauterization procedures. More aggressive in the writing is the reveal of secrets and resentment, which are weaponized over the course of three hours, watching the characters turn on one another in increasingly vicious ways. There are chases and confrontations in the picture, but Cronenberg does just fine bathing in the toxicity of it all, while Sparaga adds points of pressure from class attitudes, racism, and government propaganda (David Cronenberg appears in a voice cameo). "Humane" remains small in scale, but it packs a punch, finding life through snappy performances and a potent premise. Cronenberg also offers confident direction, handling the wild tone of the material and its graphic displays of physical and psychological torment.