Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

The Skeleton Key Blu-ray Movie Review

2005's 'The Skeleton Key' returns to Blu-ray disc in this limited-edition release (limited to 1,500 units) which is stacked to the rafters with supplemental material courtesy of Imprint. Starring Kate Hudson and John Hurt, the film follows nurse Caroline Ellis (Hudson) as she takes a job deep in the Louisiana bayou where she is thrust into the world of the supernatural and the unexplained. This slipboxed release features hours of new supplemental material headlined by a commentary track from film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and a video essay from film scholar Kelly Robinson, both of which were produced in 2023. Neither a DVD nor a Digital Code are included.

The Skeleton Key Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

While I do not have the original release to perform a direct comparison, based on the screenshots from Mr. Liebman's review and his discussion of the positives and negatives of that presentation, I believe these transfers to be extremely similar if not identical. To that end, please follow this link for a review of its 1080p presentation.

The Skeleton Key Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The audio track on this release provides consistently strong surround involvement in terms of both music and atmospherics. The sound of bugs, crunching car wheels on gravel roads, frogs and more bring the soundfield to life and immerse the viewer in the spooky tale. Music, which at times is pushed to the forefront and which also helps to create a sense of place, is handled very well. Bass is sufficient to add appropriate depth to music and sound effects alike. Dialogue is consistently clearly delivered and is front and center focused for the most part. Directionality is spot-on and sounds move smoothly through the field. It's a very solid track.

The Skeleton Key Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio commentary by director Iain Softley - Softly's informative commentary is a legacy feature from the original release.

• Audio commentary by film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (2023) - Working from scripted thoughts, Heller-Nichols begins by placing this film in time, explaining that it was released at the advent of "torture porn" and the proliferation of J-Horror remakes, and defending horror as a window into the concerns and fears of the time in which the film was created. She also discusses the gothic trappings of The Skeleton Key and the overwhelming and all-permeating sense of loss and sorrow. She occasionally falls silent for minutes at a time as she waits for the film to catch up to where it needs to be relative to her notes. Quoting from a variety of texts to help support and make her points, she simultaneously gives film fans a volume of material to add to their reading lists. Heller-Nichols obviously has much affection for the film and holds it in significantly greater esteem than many other critics. Over the span of the film, she weaves a compelling argument to reassess the The Skeleton Key and examine it more closely in context to its socio-political dimensions. It's an enjoyable, well-thought-out, and scholarly commentary.

• Unlocking "The Skeleton Key' - Interview with author Dr. Mikel J. Koven (2023) (15.05) - Koven covers a variety of subjects, beginning with describing the similarity in plot structure with I Walked With a Zombie, the film's Southern Gothic atmosphere and symbolism, and his assessment of the film's ending. Be advised that this feature contains spoilers.

• The Swamps are Full of Corpses: The Symbolic Southern Gothic of 'The Skeleton Key' - video essay by film scholar Kelly Robinson (15.49) - Robinson argues that the true meaning and focus of the film are hidden behind the trappings of a ghost story that never fully materializes as she addresses praises and criticisms leveled at the picture. She discusses the Southern Gothic aesthetics and the symbolism of the swamp, a brief history of slavery in the area, and Hoodoo. Well-crafted, and encouraging of a reassessment and greater appreciation of the layers of symbolism and genre tropes that mask the film's clues to its hidden truths, this feature also includes spoilers.

• Deleted scenes (with optional audio commentary by director Iain Softley (21.40) - Legacy feature with a number of deleted scenes.

• Behind the Locked Door: Making 'The Skeleton Key' (5.26) - This window-boxed supplement features high-level input from many members of the cast and crew about the creation of the film.

• Exploring Voodoo/Hoodoo (4.15) - This window-boxed supplement focuses on several practitioners who provide a very brief overview and history of Voodoo and Hoodoo and the differences between the two.

• Blues in the Bayou (6.10) - The music of the area and the film along with relevant locations are covered by this window- boxed supplement.

• Plantation Life (3.37) - A very short feature covers the harsh life for slaves on the plantations for whom arduous work began at the age of 6.

• Casting 'The Skeleton Key' (9.13) - Director Iain Softly leads the discussions on casting Hudson and the rest of the cast, as they speak about what drew them to the film.

• A House Called Felicity (5.20) - The house where much of the film's action takes place is the focus of this feature, and it becomes a character in its own right.

• Recipie & Ritual: Making the Perfect Gumbo (3.22) - Gumbo is quickly crafted after ingredients are purchased and the stock is prepared.

• Kate Hudson's Spooky Ghost Story (2.33) - Hudson shares a personal ghost story from her youth during a time she was living with her mother in an old house in London.

• John Hurt's Story (3.30) - Hurt reads a story from the book Voices of Slavery.

• Gina's Love Spell (1.20) - Actor Gena Rowlands reads a spell for love and friendship.

• Theatrical Trailer (2.20)

The Skeleton Key Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

From its opening moments, there is an inescapable and intentional air of inevitability about The Skeleton Key. There are a variety of clues and foreshadowing spread throughout the film, the most on-the-nose of which would have to be Caroline Ellis's (Hudson) unfortunate "Live Fast Die Young" key chain which may have gone unnoticed had the camera not so deliberately zoomed in on the item. Hudson is out of her element as soon as she leaves the city, and through her, we experience an alien world filled with strange religious practices, a dark history, and a setting that nature seems keen on reclaiming. Atmospheric, and filled with Southern Gothic trappings, the brooding film trudges toward Ellis's doom, moving as slowly as afternoons on the bayous themselves. Those looking for slightly different supernatural fare are encouraged to give this release a look, especially given its copious supplemental features. Recommended.