Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Sick 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 11, 2025

“Sick” takes viewers back to 2020, when the first wave of COVID-19 dominated daily life, turning everything upside down as people struggled to understand what was happening to health and society. That’s enough right there to power a horror movie, and a few productions have attempted to detail life during pandemic times, but “Sick” has something slightly different in mind when it comes to manufacturing a fear factor. “Scream” screenwriter Kevin Williamson (joined by Katelyn Crabb, his former personal assistant) looks to revive his slasher interests with the project, blending moves from previous productions with fresh community paranoia, making for a mildly compelling chiller. It’s no major offering of suspense, but director John Hyams (who made a similar endeavor in 2020’s “Alone”) creates a few tense moments of survival while Williamson and Crabb paw lightly at the agony of the COVID-19 event.

Parker (Gideon Adlon) is a college student sick and tired of pandemic life, looking to make an escape with pal Miri (Beth Million), driving to a lake house for a week, where they plan to spend time with only each other, keeping up with social bubble requirements. They experience the remoteness of the area, happy to distance themselves from the nightmare of it all, but such peace is soon broken by DJ (Dylan Sprayberry), who arrives in the middle of the night. Once involved with Parker, DJ can’t get over their breakup, traveling to the dwelling to make his case for a reconciliation. Parker doesn’t have interest in such matters, but her focus is soon pulled to a more sinister development, discovering a masked figure clutching a sharp knife is inside the house, looking to take lives. Scrambling for safety, Parker and Miri fight to understand what’s happening, left with nobody to turn to in the middle of nowhere.

“Sick” maintains a “Scream”-like atmosphere during its opening sequence, which follows Tyler, a young man on a mission to find essential items at the local supermarket. This being 2020, such a quest is doomed to fail, as Tyler learns toilet paper is no longer available, making do with odds and ends as he finds his way to the checkout line. He’s receiving odd texts from a stranger during the journey, and these words turn into observations and photos, making it clear the young man is being followed. A stalking sequence commences, and one carrying pandemic touches, watching Tyler wipe down his groceries, while the whole store stares as someone daring to sneeze. It’s a chilling reminder of the way things were, and the writing hopes to build on such memories with a new display of slasher activity, as Tyler faces an unknown intruder. Again, Williamson has been here before, repeatedly, but “Sick” hopes to twist expectations with COVID-19 anxiety.

“Sick” turns its attention to Parker, who feels suffocated by the state of the world, electing to break away via a trip into nature. She’s joined by Miri, who’s a more cautious person, careful to mask up and maintain distance from others. The lake house is their destination, and the screenplay sets a relaxing mood in a time of community unrest, with the young women enjoying the sun and isolation, getting back to their version of “normal.” DJ soon arrives to ruin the moment, as the heartsick character tries to make sense of his breakup with Parker, putting the vacationers in a difficult position of inclusion, which is eased by DJ’s stash of marijuana. “Sick” remains simplistic, but that’s the design of the material, keeping the threesome in a state of relaxation before a shadowy figure enters the premises, launching a fight for survival.

Sick 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Sick" comes to UHD, listed as a "New 4K presentation from the original elements." The Dolby Vision viewing experience has its issues, finding highlights distractingly bright at times, especially with decorative lights around the property. Compression mostly holds together, but some mild banding is found along the way. And the feature is primarily set at night, working through plenty of darkness that seems a little too oppressive during select sequences. While the Blu-ray viewing experience isn't perfect, it handles the film's visuals a bit better, and perhaps some viewers will prefer this presentation. Color offers slightly murkier hues with low-lit events, but primaries are distinct on clothing and decorative elements. Woodsier house hues are appreciable, and greenery is powerful. Skin tones are mostly natural. Detail is strong, exploring skin particulars on the cast, also capturing texture on costuming and hair. Lake house interiors are dimensional, identifying the enormity of the dwelling. Exteriors retain depth, reinforcing the isolation of the location.

Sick 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 7.1 Dolby TrueHD mix brings the small world of "Sick" to life, leading with dialogue exchanges, which remain sharp and emotive, also securing whispered encounters. Music is alert, offering defined instrumentation that occasionally moves throughout the surrounds, playing with separation. Dramatic support is present throughout the listening event, and soundtrack selections handle with authority, including clear vocals. Atmospherics explore surrounding elements of nature and lake house ambiance. Sound effects are distinct. Low-end perks up during harder hits of violence.

Sick 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features movie critic Alan Cerny.

• Commentary #2 features actresses Gideon Adlon and Beth Million.

• Commentary #3 features director John Hyams and cinematographer Yaron Levy.

• Interview (19:27) is a video conference discussion of "Sick" with sound designer Samuel Nacach, who began his career in music, slowly making his way into film production, where he's been for the last ten years. The interviewee shares the mission of his job, laboring to create moods and reality for the picture, and he shares praise for director John Hyams, who has a fondness for sound design and its "importance." Nacach also identifies his work on "Sick," searching to create a nuanced mix for the feature.

• Interview (10:53, HD) is a video conference discussion of "Sick" with actor Marc Menchaca, who's developed a relationship with director John Hyams, sharing praise for the filmmaker and noting his authority and flexibility on set. Love is also offered to screenwriter Kevin Williamson, celebrating the tone of "Sick." Co-stars are also commended, with special focus on Jane Adams.

• Interview (15:24, HD) is a video conference discussion of "Sick" with composer Nima Fakhrara, who shares his hiring story, previously working with director John Hyams on 2020's "Alone." Describing the pandemic world of "Sick" as a "funny thing," the interviewee goes into his creative choices on the project, also identifying his love for horror and its musical possibilities and challenges.

• Interview (8:46, HD) is a video conference discussion of "Sick" with Visual FX Supervisor J.D. McKee, who previously worked with director John Hyams, happy to reunite with his "friend." The interviewee explores the "invisible" effects of the film, including house removal to make the central location appear isolated. McKee also details digital tricks used for select shots.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Sick 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Sick" doesn't reinvent the slasher film, with Hyams more attentive to traditional sequences of stalking and panic, giving viewers some thrills as the college students struggle to stay out of sight. The action heads outside for some chases, and a passing motorist (Jane Adams) is encountered. "Sick" is ultimately headed somewhere that's behind spoiler walls, and while Williamson and Crabb don't take their concept to its natural conclusion, they have something interesting brewing involving contagious actions and reckless youth. It's enough to keep "Sick" engrossing, especially with a short run time, as Hyams hits his beats of suspense and distress skillfully, making for an adequate lap around the usual horror happenings.