The Child Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		2.5

The Child Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman June 21, 2019

Note: This film is available as part of American Horror Project Vol. 2.

American Horror Project Vol. 1 offered an object lesson in what I called “WEHT” syndrome, by which I meant that the “whatever happened to” query that is often aimed at people might be targeted at films themselves. This second volume of offerings from curator Stephen Thrower courtesy of Arrow Films is another “WEHT” extravaganza, though in this case it may indeed also refer to performers, and in fact might be subtitled “hey, actors gotta work, too, you know,” as two of the three films in this set feature late career work by two fairly iconic and Academy Award winning stars, appearing here in what might be charitably termed less than Grade A material. That said, all three of the films in this set offer at least some of the same patent weirdness as was found in the first American Horror Project release, though even diehard genre fans may not consider any of this trio to be undiscovered masterpieces.

At least some elements of Dream No Evil and Dark August don’t really fit all that snugly into at least some fans’ preconceptions about what makes an “official” horror film, but some qualms in that regard should be partially quelled with a viewing of The Child, though this outing, too, doesn't quite avail itself of being easily identified as "this" or "that" type of horror offering. While not initially big in the “blood and guts” category, The Child does provide a more “traditional” foundational element in its depiction of an isolated family whose new governess discovers her charge may be a murderer. It’s a well worn trope that The Child attempts to do something new if arguably not all that improved with by introducing a bit of what might be called The Walking Dead approach.

The Child kinda sorta combines elements that some film fans may think of with regard to offerings like The Bad Seed and Carrie, with a nefarious little girl named Rosalie (Rosalie Cole) on a murder spree that involves both her telekinetic and resurrectional powers. New governess Alicianne (Laurel Barnett) wanders into this nightmare reality that also includes Rosalie’s family, most of whom are just as odd (if not quite as psychopathic) as Rosemary herself is.

There's a palpable feeling of unease and claustrophobia that informs this film (something that's kind of ironic, given its seemingly tranquil rural setting). This film doesn't offer the putative "star value" of the two other films in this set of American Horror Project offerings, but performances here are rather good, and Rosalie Cole is distressingly believable as a brat on a killing spree.

All three films in this second volume of American Horror Project kind of traffic in dreamlike, hallucinatory ambiences, and that’s certainly the case with regard to The Child. While in some ways this film has the most “traditional” underpinnings of the three films in this set, it also has a completely weird, disjunctive style that can be downright psychedelic. The film does trip over into more graphic “blood and guts” territory once the zombie element comes to the foreground, but it’s really this film’s mood that may make the most lasting impression.

The Child Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Child is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with AVC 1080p transfers in either 1.33 or 1.84 (our specs don't currently have the ability to display the two properly in the specs above as this review is being published, but hopefully will soon). Arrow's insert booklet contains the following information on the restoration:

The Child has been exclusively restored by Arrow Films and is presented in 1.37:1 and 1.78:1 [sic] with mono audio.

An original 35mm CRI was scanned in 2K resolution, graded and restored at OCN Digital Labs.

The soundtrack was sourced from the original optical negatives. Additional audio remastering was completed at Pinewood Studios.

All original materials used in this restoration were accessed from Valiant International Pictures.

As can probably be fairly easily made out in the screenshots accompanying this review, the CRI source element contributes to an understandably somewhat skewed palette as well as some kind of uneven looking contrast. As a result, both aspect ratios tend to have an almost slate gray undertone some of the time. Detail levels are variable as well, but some fine detail on elements like fabrics or even foliage in some outside scenes is rather precise looking, all things considered. Both aspect ratios can look decidedly soft at times, though, and some midrange shots don't offer much in the way of fine detail. There's somewhat more ubiquitous age related wear and tear on these transfers than on the two other films in this set, though it tends to be relatively minor, in the form of specks and flecks and occasional small scratches. I've provided screenshots from both aspect ratios, and encourage those interested in this film to look them over. To my eyes the 1.33:1 framing looks a bit better, with the additional vertical space providing more of a balance in several scenes.

The Child Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Child features an expressive LPCM Mono track that does a nice job delivering a higher than usual amount of ambient environmental effects, including kind of weird sounding winds that seem to echo Alicianne's increasing unraveling. Dialogue is rendered cleanly, as is the film's score by Rob Wallace. There's a bit of background noise, including some very minor, almost undetectable, pops, but nothing of any consequence.

The Child Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Zombie Child (1080p; 13:13) offers curator Stephen Thrower's assessment of the film.


• Fathers of The Child (1080p; 12:48) is a rather sweet piece with director Robert Voskanian and Robert Dadashian, where the two discuss not just the film, but their shared ethnic backgrounds.


• Original Theatrical Trailer

  1.33 Version (1080p; 2:25)

  
  

  1.78 Version (1080p; 2:25)

  
  (Some may find the color timing on these somewhat better looking than the actual feature.)

• Audio Commentary with director Robert Voskanian and producer Robert Dadashian is moderated by series curator Stephen Thrower.


• Original Press Book is accessible as BD-ROM content.

The Child Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you see only one film about a murderous telekinetically inclined lass who likes to sic zombies on those whom she disfavors, make it The Child, as there probably aren't too many others with this patently odd combination of plot points. This is another lo-fi horror offering that is really strong on mood, but occasionally lacking in narrative momentum and logic. Technical merits are a bit spotty here, with color timing and contrast limited at least somewhat by the CRI source element. As is typically the case with these niche releases from Arrow, the supplemental package is very enjoyable.