The Convent 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

The Convent 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 23, 2024

Director Mike Mendez made his filmmaking debut with 1996’s “Killers,” aiming to cash in on the world of tabloid crime and the success of “Natural Born Killers” with an offering of tremendous violence. He drowned the endeavor in visual overkill and lousy performances, but his love for genre entertainment remained unsullied, returning to worlds of horror and comedy with 2000’s “The Convent” (there was a 1997 compilation picture, “Bimbo Movie Bash,” but I doubt Mendez wants to discuss that one). A blend of slapstick and 1985’s “Demons,” “The Convent” tries very hard to be big fun with gory events, and screenwriter Chaton Anderson is gunning to make something approachable with the broadest of broad characters and general goofiness when the story isn’t focused on the destruction of humans and monsters. Mendez plays into visual trends of the day, striving to create nightmare visuals for a feature that’s not committed to being scary.

Clorissa (Joanna Canton) is preparing to join her fellow sorority sisters and local frat guys for a night of spooky exploring, visiting an old convent rumored to be the sight of a nun and priest massacre committed by a desperate 16-year-old named Christine. Trying to join the fun is Mo (Megahn Perry), Clorissa’s old friend, with the goth girl threatening to expose her pal’s spooky past to help gain access to the convent, searching for evidence of murderous events. Arriving at the location, Frijole (Richard Trapp), Biff (Jim Golden), Kaitlin (Renee Graham), Chad (Dax Miller), and Clorissa’s little brother, frat pledge Brant (Liam Kyle Sullivan), soon make their way into the dilapidated building, with Mo quickly kidnapped by satanists Saul (David Gunn) and Dickie-Boy (Kelly Mantle), who need a virgin for a sacrificial ceremony inside the convent. They succeed in reaching the other side, triggering a night of horror as a demon infection is passed around quickly, forcing Clorissa to seek out Christine (Adrienne Barbeau), who’s faced these vicious enemies before.

To enjoy “The Convent,” one has to accept that Anderson’s script is never going to get better than its opening scene, which involves Christine’s rampage of revenge, killing a collection of church officials in vivid detail. There’s no dialogue, a most welcome choice in this film, but silence is fleeting, with the tale jumping ahead 40 years to meet with the sorority/fraternity gang and their plans to sneak into the convent for kicks. Imagine if every character in “American Pie” was Stifler, and that’s “The Convent” viewing experience, with Anderson making sure to pile in as many obnoxious people as possible in the name of “fun.” There’s Frijole, a drug addict and potential sexual predator. Biff enjoys tormenting Brant as a frat bro. Kaitlin is a cheerleader and general dope. And Mo is a pushy goth girl willing to make trouble for Clorissa just to tag along on the journey. There’s not a likable person around, and viewers are stuck with these people for most of the feature.

“The Convent” strives to be bloody and goofy, which is a delicate combination, and one that Mendez can’t manage. There are no characters to root for here, making the slaughter scene uneventful, though makeup achievements are generally quite strong for a low-budget production, and Mendez looks to jazz up unreality with blacklight visuals. He also slathers on cinematographic and editorial trends of the day, trying to turn the feature into a Nine Inch Nails video at times. Demons do rise and they’re out for blood, but “The Convent” is mostly a comedy, occasionally unintentionally, pushing for lightness in the middle of grim business. This includes the arrival of Saul and Dickie-Boy, who are the Laurel and Hardy figures of the story, fumbling their way through satanic rituals. And there’s a visit from campus cops, with Starkey (Coolio) and Ray (Bill Moseley) using their authority to entertain themselves. The clownishness is difficult to endure, and essentially diminishes whatever sense of threat Mendez tries to launch as the viral threat tears through the visitors.

The Convent 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"The Convent" comes to UHD, listed as a "4K remaster of the uncut version supervised and approved by director Mike Mendez." The Dolby Vision viewing experience offers sharp detail throughout, exploring skin particulars on humans and demons, offering a textured exploration of makeup achievements. Locations are also open for examination, with the decaying views of the convent intact, and costuming is fibrous with period style. Exteriors are rare but deep. Colors are precise, working with the blacklight world of "The Convent," with such extremity in demonic engagement secured. Primaries are crisp, including blood reds and blue lighting, and fashion choices deliver varied hues. Blacks are deep, handling shadow play and gothic displays. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in excellent condition.

The Convent 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix offers a clear understanding of dialogue exchanges. Performances are defined and intensity is balanced. Scoring offers satisfactory support, working with a more active synth sound at times, including furious detours into dance music when violence arrives. Surrounds feel out musical moods, creating some immersive moments. Atmospherics are active with demonic happenings and convent exploration. Low-end provides acceptable weight with violent events and explosions.

The Convent 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (six pages) offers an essay by Corey Danna.

• Commentary #1 features cast and crew.

• Commentary #2 features the "Lords of Hell," including Saul and Dickie-Boy.

• Behind-the-Scenes Featurette (8:33, SD) explores the making of "The Convent," featuring interviews with director Mike Mendez, writer/producer Chaton Anderson, and actors Liam Sullivan, Joanna Canton, Meghan Perry, Oakley Stevenson, Renee Graham, Kelly Mantle, Jim Holden, and Coolio. The interviewees explore the genesis of "The Convent," discussing story origins and the speed of production, with the premise financed while the script was being written. Long nights are recalled, with exhaustion a common sight during the shoot. And praise is shared for co- stars Coolio and Adrienne Barbeau, adding to overall cast camaraderie.

• "Houses of the Unholy" (14:33, HD) is a walk down memory lane with director Mike Mendez, who provides a location tour for his first two movies, "Killers" and "The Convent." Mendez visits these areas, offering memories from the shoots, also supplying some interesting anecdotes from his time on the films.

• Deleted Scene (:31, SD) is offered.

• Gore Outtakes (5:54, SD) provide extended, uncut looks at some of the grislier moments from "The Convent." Lots and lots of screaming is involved.

• Original Electronic Press Kit (11:33, SD) explores interviews from executive producer Ryan Carroll, writer/producer Chaton Anderson, director Mike Mendez, and actor Coolio. Some BTS footage is included as well.

• Image Gallery (6:26) collects film stills, BTS snaps, marketing art, and publicity shots.

• And Promotional Trailer #1 (1:44, HD) and Promotional Trailer #2 (1:45, HD) are included.

The Convent 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Jokes are lame and performances are cranked all the way up, making highlights in "The Convent" difficult to come by. Barbeau adds some much needed attitude to the feature, but she's only around for the last act, unable to save the viewing experience. The rest of "The Convent" is stuck with a weird tonality that defangs moments of horror in the quest to be wacky, and while the blood does flow in the picture, Mendez and Anderson don't take the hint, avoiding a more intense study of rampaging evil.