Phobia Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

Phobia Blu-ray Movie Review

Phobia (4bia) is a horror anthology uniting four tales of the macabre. The anthology includes a selection of tales about facing your fears. One tale is about an accident victim The second tale is about a bullied youngster. A third story is an old-school ghost story. The fourth tale is about a deceased princess.

Phobia is produced by Jira Maligool, Chenchonnee Soonthonsaratul, and Yongyoot Thongkongtoon. Executive produced by Paiboon Damrongchaitham, Boosaba Daorueng, Jina Osothsilp, and Visute Poolvoralaks. A gothic horror anthology worth seeing.

The score composed by Toy Terdsak Janpan (Ong Bak 2, Coming Soon) is one of the best and most consistent qualities of the production. Janpan made effective score music that adds to the genre sensibilities. An effective part of the production.

The cinematography by Somboon Phopituckun (segments "Happiness", "Tit for Tat") and Niramon Ross (segments "In the Middle", "Last Fright") is well-done. The cinematography showcases imagination and robust creativity. The efforts are well worthwhile. The cinematography highlights the filmmaking and genre sensibilities in spades.

Edited by Vijjapat Kojiw (segment "Last Fright"), Paween Purijitpanya (segment "Tit for Tat"), Thammarat Sumethsupachok (segments "Happiness", "In the Middle"), and Surawut Tungkharak (segment "Tit for Tat"), the editorial vision is well handled. The editing is surprisingly consistent across the shorts. The anthology ebbs and flows nicely and is well paced overall.

The production designs by Arkadech Keawkotr (segments "Happiness", "Tit for Tat") and Wuttinun Sujaritpong (segments "In the Middle", "Last Fright") impress and provide a nice sense of scale to the production. The production is all the better as a result. The designs certainly work well for the film and shorts in the anthology.

The art direction by Kanuang Dumkeaw (segments "In the Middle", "Last Fright"), Prachawin Prechgrod

(segment "In the Middle"), and Sophon Pulsawat (segments "Happiness", "Tit for Tat") is another fun and compelling part of the feature. The anthology style allows for unique visions for the art direction. Everything comes together nicely and works well across the separate anthology shorts.

Written by Yongyoot Thongkongtoon (segment "Happiness"), Eakasit Thairaat (segment "Tit for Tat") & Paween Purijitpanya (segment "Tit for Tat") & Vanridee Pongsittisak (segment "Tit for Tat") & Amornthep Sukumanont (segment "Tit for Tat"), Banjong Pisanthanakun (segment "In the Middle") & Witthaya Thongyooyong (segment "In the Middle") & Aummaraporn Phandintong (segment "In the Middle") & Vanridee Pongsittisak (segment "In the Middle") & Sophon Sakdaphisit (segment "In the Middle") & Chantavit Dhanasevi (segment "In the Middle") & Mez Tharatorn (segment "In the Middle"), Parkpoom Wongpoom (segment "Last Fright") & Sophon Sakdaphisit (segment "Last Fright"), the script seems the most uneven when one examines each segment against another – some stories being more engaging than others. Even so, the scripting is decent overall and is reasonably entertaining. Each of the shorts has something to offer.

Directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun (segment "In the Middle"), Paween Purijitpanya (segment "Tit for Tat"), Yongyoot Thongkongtoon (segment "Happiness"), and Parkpoom Wongpoom (segment "Last Fright"), Phobia is well done anthology horror filmmaking and a nice showcase for Thai horror filmmakers.

Phobia Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Umbrella Entertainment, Phobia (4bia) is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio. The high-definition video looks solid overall and the presentation quality impresses for the most part. The transfer does look a little bit dated and could have used a newer 2K or 4K restoration. Even so, a solid transfer of the feature film.

Phobia Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release retains the original Thai audio. The soundstage is impressive. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The English subtitles are well done on the release. A solid presentation overall.

Phobia Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Early Career and Inspiration: An Interview With Director Banjong Pisanthanakun (SD, 2:56)

Interview With Director Paween Purijitpanya (SD, 13:53)

4Bia: Finding Fear in Small Doses – A Video Essay by Matt Donato (SD, 11:59)

Double Trouble: Films of Parkpoom Wongpoom and Banjong Pisanthanakun including Shutter, Alone, 4Bia, and Phobia 2 – Video Essay by David Michael Brown (SD, 11:04)

Stills Gallery (SD, 7:44)

4Bia Trailer (SD, 2:59)

4Bia Critical Audio Commentary by Pierce Conran and James Marsh

Phobia 2 Critical Audio Commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

Phobia Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Phobia (4bia) is a solid anthology horror film. The Thai filmmaking is a nice highlight for the strengths of the different contributing filmmakers. The production values are well done. The Blu-ray release does offer a decent if somewhat dated looking video transfer. The transfer could have used a newer 2K or 4K restoration. Even so, a decent presentation of a reasonably entertaining anthology feature. Recommended.