The Block Island Sound 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		0.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The Block Island Sound 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

"It's a good thing we're doing."

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown January 9, 2025

The Block Island Sound has stirred up quite a bit of critical interest of late. But it's also a film that's divided audiences and critics, with reviewers impressed by its atmosphere, tension and sense of mounting, looming dread (you're not going to find much of a mold-break here) and many a viewer claiming it's overhyped, boring and much ado about nothing. Shot on a shoestring by brothers Kevin and Matthew McManus, it struck me as a smart, unnerving little indie that knows how to utilize its budget, milking every dollar for all it's worth. But it is a slowburn, acid-paced light on thrills thriller with no discernible beastie. Much like the original Blair Witch Project, the film builds towards something sinister you'll never actually see, and knowing that going in is probably the best gift I can give anyone reading this. For those who have properly adjusted expectations, long for something different to emerge from the seven horror seas, and are willing to shut off the lights and invest some patience in pseudo-Lovecraftian, vaguely apocalyptic terror, a diamond in the rough awaits.

When his father Tom (Neville Archambault) disappears from his boat after developing strange behavioral changes, only to wash ashore drowned days later, his son Harry (Chris Sheffield) struggles to understand what happened. His sister, Audry (Michaela McManus), who works for the Environment Protection Agency, helps in his unofficial investigation as his mental health suffers, particularly when he begins to have "encounters" of some sort with alarming phenomena anytime he takes his father's boat out to sea near Block Island; the same place where his father initially disappeared. Accompanying Audry is her co-worker Paul (Ryan O'Flanagan) and her young daughter Emily (Matilda Lawler, a natural), though neither are prepared to come face to... something with whatever is out on, above or below the water. As Harry and his sister continue to grapple with their father's death and his increasingly bizarre claims, they learn similar events are being reported all over the world, bringing them back to the sea again and again; Harry almost as if a will higher than his own is compelling him onward, Audry out of love and concern for her brother. The film also stars Jim Cummings, Jeremy Holm, Willie C. Carpenter and Heidi Neidermeyer.

Rest easy, there is an answer to the mystery by the time the credits roll. Whether each viewer accepts it or, more importantly, finds it satisfying seems to be a point of contention. Small adjustments could have left things far more open-ended, but the McManuses don't seem keen on leaving us squarely in the dark after asking so much of us throughout the picture. All of which leaves The Block Island Sound resting firmly on the shoulders of its cast, who do a fine job conveying confusion, fear and a sense of deep loss. Sheffield is given the greatest burden and the heaviest lifting, crafting a performance that makes the film feel as if it were shot chronologically to aid his slow descent into madness. (It wasn't and, frankly, he obviously didn't need it to be.) His unraveling is the heart of the horror here, with befuddlement slipping into unease, unease drifting into anxiety, and anxiety leading to disassociation and utter terror. Michaela McManus isn't just benefitting from her familial connection either, as she matches Sheffield's mounting insanity with doubt that soon veers into her own fear. Together with little Matilda Lawler, they form a family unit beset by something supernatural, otherworldly, and decidedly inhuman.

Slight spoilers. I had hoped for something more Cthulhuian than the answer we get but I'm always in the bag for Lovecraft. The minute fish were washing ashore, the thought began gestating. But what the McManus brothers offer instead is more on the nose with things we've seen before, though not for quite a long time. One movie especially comes to mind (click here to learn which, if you aren't bothered by having the mystery completely spoiled), though it's handled in a manner that isn't disappointing, so long as you haven't sunk too much capital in your own incorrect theories. Had I known the ending ahead of time, I'm not sure the suspense would have held me. The strength and scares of The Block Island Sound are in the mystery; once it evaporates, it's all quick falling action. And even then, several clues midway through the film may so alert you to the inevitable that you're left sitting around waiting for Harry and Audry to catch up. Always one of the worst things that can happen in one of these films. Ultimately, the performances and setting hold attention long enough to lull you into the movie's hypnotic horror. Those who fall prey to its trance-like states will walk away pleased, while those impervious to its enchantments will continue to label it boring and uneventful. I was taken with it. Your mileage may vary.

The Block Island Sound 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Block Island Sound features a 2160p 4K image that's wholly faithful to cinematographer Alan Gwizdowski's intentions and the McManus's vision of horror on the open sea. The film gets dark, very dark, but delineation doesn't falter, allowing the shadows to serve the unease rather than limit it. Clarity remains excellent throughout regardless of whether the sun is high or set, boasting crisp, clean edge definition and exacting fine detail and textures. Take one look at the hairs of Tom's red mane, the wrinkles creasing his face, the bulging veins beneath his skin, the heavy textiles of his sea- clothes and tell me I'm wrong. Colors, meanwhile, are cold but exceedingly natural, with vivid hues punctuating the wintry seas and shores, bold primaries splashing into view when called upon, black levels that are deep and unnerving, and contrast is consistently satisfying. I also didn't catch sight of any compression artifacts, macroblocking, banding, errant noise or other issues that might have mucked up the proceedings. This is low-budget horror with a high-quality digital transfer. Other than aesthetic choices, you won't find much to complain about here.

The Block Island Sound 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Though quieter than you might expect, The Block Island Sound's lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track knows how to amp up the horror with the howl of wind, the roar of the ocean, the crashing of waves, and the eerie sounds that accompany whatever phenomena Harry encounters. LFE output is strong and sturdy, acing its assignments with ease. Rear speaker activity is effective and enveloping, using precise directional effects and plenty of ambient know-how to create a Rhode Island seascape that's as believable as it is immersive. Dialogue is terrifically prioritized too, without sounding overly "dropped" into a more chaotic or frightening scene. There are a few issues in terms of overall fidelity but I suspect the film's sound design is the culprit, not its lossless audio track.

The Block Island Sound 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary (HD, 3 minutes) - Kevin and Matthew McManus. The commentary is found under the audio menu, rather than the special features menu.

• A Practical Apocalypse (HD, 3 minutes) - Crafting the story, with directors Kevin and Matthew McManus.

• Finding the Cast (HD, 9 minutes) - A casting featurette.

• Filming on the Water (HD, 7 minutes) - Not the easiest location but one that was necessary to the film.

• Special Effects on a Shoestring (HD, 8 minutes) - Though light on VFX, the film still required moments that couldn't be achieved fully with in-camera effects. McManus leads us behind the scenes to learn about the process of capturing a lot for a little.

• Los Angeles Behind-the-Scenes: Super 8MM (HD, 2 minutes) - Test footage.

• McManus Family Home Movies (HD, 6 minutes) - Homemade short film clips from childhood.

• Teaser Trailer (HD, 1 minute)

The Block Island Sound 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Block Island Sound won't work for everyone -- critics are consistently impressed while audiences are divided right down the middle -- but it's a stab at low-budget horror that doesn't take place in a forest (the go-to locale du jour in indie horror) and its mysteries hold to the end. If you crack the code too early, you might call it predictable and tiresome but I was in it till the very end, and more than satisfied as a result. The performances held my attention, the phenomena creeped me the hell out, and the endgame sent the hairs on my neck skyward. The film's 4K Blu-ray release is excellent as well, with a perfect video presentation, strong DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, and a decent complement of extras. Recommended.