6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Two couples rent a vacation home for what should be a celebratory weekend get-away.
Starring: Alison Brie, Dan Stevens, Jeremy Allen White, Sheila Vand, Toby HussHorror | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The company Airbnb has done a remarkable job transforming the vacation rental marketplace, and it’s even more impressive how much it’s influenced genre entertainment. Over the last few years, terror from the depths of luxury living has been explored in “Trespassers,” “Welcome Home,” “Tone- Deaf,” and the recent “You Should Have Left.” And now there’s “The Rental,” which also examines an unfolding nightmare facing a group of travelers looking for the perfect getaway, only to come up against an insidious enemy. The effort marks the feature-length directorial debut for Dave Franco (who co-scripts with Joe Swanberg), and he’s done his homework, endeavoring to provide a spooky ride of mysterious events while gently working in a greater appreciation for character connections. He’s making a relationship movie with a body count, and it’s effective, more so when dealing with people and their problems than acts of murder.
The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation preserves the moody cinematography of "The Rental," which deals with a darker look, using limited light sources as daytime travel turns into nighttime horrors. Delineation preserves most frame information. Colors come through as intended, with warmer interiors and costuming, while outdoor adventures deal with a moonlight. Decorative primaries are preserved. Skintones are natural. Detail is strong with facial surfaces and fibrous clothing, and textures in various rooms of the house are appreciable. Heavier elements of fog bring on some artifacting, with the climax of the picture triggering flashes of banding.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA offers a subtle listening event for "The Rental," which is primarily dialogue driven. Performances are crisp and emotive. Scoring favors a deeper sound of dread that often carries into the surrounds, enjoying sharp instrumentation. Mild panning and separation effects are utilized, and nature atmospherics and room tone are active. Low-end isn't challenged in full, but violence offers heavier hits.
The first two acts of "The Rental" are more effective than the feature's climax, with Franco scratching some horror movie itches as the picture becomes more physical, dealing with chases in the dark and body disposal mishaps. What's interesting about the film is how it generates more unease simply dealing with human fallibility and poor impulse control, giving the actors something to work with as exhaustion collides with self-preservation. "The Rental" reaches its full potential when wading into the muck of these unions. More slasher-y asides fail to carry the same level of dread.
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