May Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

May Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman May 20, 2025

Note: May was a bit of a trailblazer back when it was originally released in 2002, and in a way it is again, as it is the first film with Lionsgate's Vestron Video Collector's Series imprint to be released by Lionsgate Limited (I suspect a wider release may be in the offing). This may also be the first time (I frankly didn't go back to check thoroughly) that a Lionsgate Limited release is only in 1080. Somewhat interestingly, while Lionsgate released this film theatrically, UK distributors Second Sight offered the first Blu-ray release a couple of years ago, and many of the supplements look like they were ported over from that release to this one (they all bear a Second Sight masthead).

In a very real way, May plays rather like the veritable "flip side" to Frankenstein, or perhaps more accurately to The Bride of Frankenstein, as it documents the sad trajectory of the lonely titular woman (played sympathetically and terrifyingly by Angela Bettis). Plagued by a "lazy eye" in her youth, something that makes her a pariah with kids her own age, May is gifted by her Mom with a kind of scary doll named Suzie, with Mom's ultimately ironic advice, "If you don't have any friends, make one". While her eye problem is ultimately repaired, May is still an outsider, unable to really easily forge social connections, and that deficit leads to a number of gruesome decisions on the character's part, all in pursuit of "making" a friend.

May works at a vet's office with Polly (a brunette Anna Faris), though she is obviously lusting after nearby mechanic Adam (Jeremy Sisto). Suffice it to say that May's inability to interact "normally" with people may seem to be receding a bit as she actually is able to make halting connections with both of these sidebar characters, though also suffice it to say things don't end especially well for either Polly or Adam (as well as several others). The film is kind of a melancholic meditation on the effects of ostracism and loneliness, spiced with liberal doses of shocking gore as May begins to experience whatever tether she had to reality fraying rather spectacularly.

May Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

May is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate's Vestron Video Collector's Series imprint with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. Per this imprint's standard operating procedure, there's no technical information about the transfer imparted on the cover. This is by and large a very appealing presentation, with a nice accounting of an often deeply suffused palette, and some really commendable fine detail levels, beginning with the ribbed canvas fabric that provides the backdrop for the credits sequence. There are a few kind of curious downgrades in image quality and densities (the first cutaway to Sisto smoking a cigarette outside the car shop is one example), but they tend to come and go fairly quickly. (It's perhaps salient to note that the IMDb lists a trio of different film stocks which were used, which may have contributed to this situation.) Sisto's character shares a self produced video he made (see screenshot 5), which is intentionally distressed and in black and white. Grain resolves with any issues.

May Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

May features a really vibrant DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that provides a wealth of (admittedly sometimes subtle) surround activity courtesy of a source cue stuffed soundtrack. A lot of the film does take place in relatively cloistered environments like the vet's office or May's home, and those scenes tend to feature more limited immersion featuring ambient environmental sounds. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.

May Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary with Alexandra Heller-Nicholas


• Audio Commentary with Director Lucky McKee, Cinematographer Steve Yedlin, Editor Chris Sivertson, and Actors Angela Bettis, Nichole Hiltz and Bret Roberts


• Audio Commentary with Director Lucky McKee, Editor Rian Johnson, Composer Jammes Luckett, Production Designer Leslie Keel and Craft Services Guy Benji


• The Toymaker (HD; 24:49) is an interview with Lucky McKee.


• Perfect Hands (HD; 11:23) is an interview with Jeremy Sisto.


• Blankety Blank (HD; 16:59) is an interview with James Duval.


• How to Execute a Murder (HD; 13:12) is an interview with cinematographer Steve Yedlin.


• Peeling Back the Layers (HD; 19:24) is an interview with editor Rian Johnson.


• Jack and Jill (HD; 20:54) is an interview with editor Chris Sivertson.


• In the Cut (HD; 17:34) is an interview with editor Kevin Ford.


• Blood, Gore and Rock 'n' Roll (HD; 24:08) is an interview with composer Jammes Luckett.


• Bits and Pieces: On the Set of May (HD; 14:43)


• From Frankenstein to May (HD; 21:08) is a really interesting visual essay by Dr. Miranda Corcoran.

Additionally a digital copy is included and packaging features a slipcover.

May Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's kind of funny to hear Jeremy Sisto reveal that he isn't really a big fan of horror movies in his interview included on this disc, and those with an aversion to bodily immolation and lots of pretty gruesome effects (complete with a rather detailed disclaimer in the closing credits roll that neither humans nor animals were harmed during the production) should probably stay away from May and/or Suzie. Technical merits are generally solid and the supplements very appealing. Recommended.