Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

The Sinner: Season Three Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman June 25, 2022

At time of writing, 'The Sinner: Season Three' is only available as part of a four season, eight disc 'The Sinner' boxed set.

The Sinner was originally conceived for a a single season but the show's breakout success led to an expansion for the series, resulting in three more seasons which together form not a continuous story but rather an anthology of disturbing human behavior and off-kilter realities that make for absorbing television. Season two proved every bit as compelling as its original season one counterpart, beginning with an unthinkable, out-of-the-blue tragedy which spirals into a tangled web of everything from the curiously odd to the bizarrely macabre. Season three ups the narrative quality even further, delivering what is the best of the first three seasons, telling the story of a high school teacher who is far more, and far darker, than his family man facade appears.

Jamie Burns (Matt Bomer) is a high school teacher whose is more than the sum of his exterior. He's married to Leela (Parisa Fitz-Henley), and the couple is expecting a child. One evening, Jamie's old friend Nick Haas (Chris Messina) comes to visit. That night, Nick and Jamie are involved in a horrific automobile accident. Nick is killed but Jamie survives. Enter Detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) who quickly determines that the accident was no accident at all. The show explores the dark recesses within Jamie's mind, heart, and life.

It's incredible to watch The Sinner evolve from season one forward, breaking away from the confines of the original source material to not drastically change routes but rather to build and evolve on the firm foundation laid in season one to become a compelling anthology that does not hit its stride in season three -- it did that already right out of the gate in season one -- but rather prove its broad viability with another compelling story of darkness and depravity and emotional complexity. The series finds one of its most disturbing and finely tuned characters in Jamie, and through and in him weaves together a complex look at gray area morality and the human condition within a truly unsettling prism.

Season three's arc brings together two men who are externally disparate but internally not fully dissimilar, a truth which is pushed throughout the season (and established by Harry's larger series arc as the only constant throughout The Sinner). The story's genius lies not necessarily in the narrative twists and turns, which are compelling on their own, but rather in the dualling psyches that are so central to the narrative line. Audiences will care about how and when and where and what, but the question always returns to why, a question the show answers in time and the characters express in their own ways from the first moment forward, though expressed with more and more clarity as the season progresses. Pullman is special again as Ambrose and Bomer is a rock as the unsettling and unhinged Jamie.

The following episodes comprise season three; summaries are courtesy of the complete series Blu-ray packaging:

Disc One:

• Part I: Detective Ambrose investigates a tragic yet suspicious car accident on the outskirts of Dorchester.
• Part II: Ambrose looks into Jamie and Nick’s relationship before the crash. Jamie begins to unravel.
• Part III: Ambrose investigates Jamie’s past; Leela gives birth as Jamie’s anxiety reaches a breaking point.
• Part IV: Ambrose pursues Jamie through New York City and tries to prevent another homicide.

Disc Two:

• Part V: Ambrose urges the NYPD to investigate Jamie for a new crime; Jamie struggles to salvage his life.
• Part VI: Jamie pays Sonya a surprise visit; Ambrose goes to extreme lengths to get a confession.
• Part VII: After a major turn un the case, Amrbose's tactics are scrutinized.
• Part VIII: Jamie seeks vengeance, putting him on a collision course with Ambrose.

The Sinner: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

As with previous seasons, the 1080p transfer for season three is very solid. The picture reveals perhaps not reference detailing and clarity but certainly enough to do this format, and the material, proud. The picture is sharp and revealing, capturing essentials like Harry's facial hair and skin details with all of the natural complexity Blu-ray can muster. The image is a little depressed, inherently, a bit on the grim and gloomy side, but even in the most challenging low light shots the image proves stable and reliably textured top to bottom, extending also to clothes and environments. Colors please within the show's intended parameters. There's a stability within the blue-gray-washed out appearance that never allows the picture to thrive, tonally, but rather hold solid within the muted palette. Black levels are deep and skin tones are fine within the inherent structure. Noise is minimal and there are no encode issues to report.

The Sinner: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack conveys the show's audio elements nicely. The Sinner is not about intensive sonic cues but rather mood critical atmosphere and music, both of which are handled well. The former presents with striking efficiency and immersion, impeccable clarity, and total saturation of the stage, even considering the lightest natural elements. The latter, the music, is crisp and well defined throughout the full spectrum. It is also well spaced, presenting wide front end stretch and natural surround engagement and subwoofer support. A few more intensive action elements, like a car wreck finally heard towards the end of the first episode, offer well defined chaos and precision to twisting metal and crashing elements. Dialogue is clear and center positioned for the duration.

The Sinner: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Unlike season one, which included a few deleted scenes, no extras are included on either Blu-ray disc. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

The Sinner: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Sinner's third season sees the series reach its peak. This is tremendously engaging stuff, shaped by a wonderful script and a pair of stellar lead performances. Universal's two-disc Blu-ray, which at time of writing is exclusive to the complete series boxed set, delivers no supplements but at least offers solid video and audio. Easily recommended.