Them Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Them Blu-ray Movie Review

THEM is an engaging and memorable supernatural-horror thriller. Executive produced by Frédéric Doniguian (Beauty and the Beast, Martyrs), THEM is an unusual and thrilling horror film with an uneasiness and sense of dread that permeates throughout the entire production. Produced by Richard Grandpierre (Brotherhood of the Wolf, Irreversible), THEM is a cult film with a fanbase that appreciates the slow build and the impressive performances by Olivia Bonamy and Michaël Cohen.

Clementine (Olivia Bonamy) is a successful teacher at the prestigious Lycee located in Bucharest. Clementine’s husband, Lucas (Michaël Cohen), is a novelist who works entirely from home. The couple have a seemingly perfect and happy existence. The two lovers have a nice residence alongside the beautiful countryside.

Yet the two lovebirds find themselves in trouble when an ominous presence known as “Them” begins to stalk them – watching them, following them, and surrounding them whenever possible. The ominous and strange presence begins to cause chaos in the lives of both Clementine and Lucas. The ominous “them” feels determined to enter their home at night and become a presence.

The performances are one of the essential elements of the feature. Olivia Bonamy and Michaël Cohen both deliver worthwhile performances showcasing their impressive acting chops. There is much to appreciate about the actors and their dedication to their roles. The actors do well in spades – the performances highlighting the subtle nuances of each performer. There is so much that is worthwhile by each actor.

Edited by Nicolas Sarkissian (Tomorrow Is Ours, Hunted), THEM is a well-paced adrenaline-rush horror film. The filmmaking is impressive and there is plenty to appreciate about the artistry of the film and everything it entails. Sarkissian is a talented editor and someone with a keen understanding of the filmmaking style. The results work wonders and add a lot to the tone of the film. The pace offers a continual sense of dread that is impressive and that audiences will find absorbing.

The costume designs by Elisabeth Mehu (The Queen of Hearts, La France) are well done. The costuming adds so much creativity to the production. Mehu is a gifted costume designer and the efforts here add some wonder to the filmmaking. Mehu is a wonderful talent and her efforts bring so much style throughout the film. The costumes are perfect for the characters and there is a genuineness to everything that is a nice backdrop to the horror elements.

Composed by René-Marc Bini (Savage Nights, Tenderness), THEM has fantastic music and the score certainly adds a lot to the production. Bini is a talent as composer and the score provides eeriness, intrigue, and adrenaline. The music builds and crescendos throughout the production. The music expanding on the storytelling in a compelling way.

Featuring cinematography by Axel Cosnefroy (The Serpent Queen, Vanishing), THEM is a beautifully lensed feature-film. The cinematography is wondrous and the evocative aesthetic adds so much profound depth to the style of the filmmaking. The style is gritty, independent, and unique. An impressively lensed film with a dark aesthetic showcasing the scope of the visual style.

Written and directed by David Moreau (The Eye, MadS) and Xavier Palud (The Eye, Blind Man), THEM is a compelling horror feature. The filmmaking is tense and engaging throughout. THEM is certainly a well-done genre effort and there is plenty to appreciate about the dread that builds during the film. This is compelling independent horror and audiences who are in tune with the genre will appreciate what it offers. The experience all the more memorable and compelling. THEM is a must-see genre gem.

Them Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Umbrella Entertainment, THEM is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The transfer is a bit of a surprise and is somewhat problematic overall. The transfer retains the authentic style of the film and manages to evoke the grittiness of the genre filmmaking.

Yet the transfer also showcases the more independent style of filmmaking (of its era) and the low-fi quality of the production methods. The filmmaking has a notably lower digital quality that is not as pristine as modern features but even so the style is well reproduced and the transfer is faithful to the original source. Umbrella Entertainment has done a solid job with a transfer that is authentic to the original theatrical presentation.

Them Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound and French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. English subtitles are provided. The lossless audio adds crispness and fine detail to the presentation. The audio soundstage offers memorable clarity and soundstaging. The soundtrack is well reproduced on the release. The subtitles are well done and are free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

Them Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The collectors edition release comes packaged in a deluxe chipboard art-box. The deluxe edition comes with a slipcover edition inside of the chipboard art-box (showcasing additional key artwork). The set provides a poster and a set of art cards. The release also includes a nice booklet as well.

On disc supplements include:

Audio Commentary with Alexandra West and Andrea Subissati

Safe As Houses – A Video Essay on Home Invasion Films by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (HD, 14:02)

The Making of Them (SD, 26:44)

Clementine's Ordeal (HD, 7:15)

Police Press Conference (HD, 1:41)

Footage Recovered from Original Location (SD, 00:59)

Interview with Composer Rene-Marc Bini (SD, 10:18)

New French Extremity Trailer Gallery (HD, 32:29)

BFI at Home – Horror A La Francaise Online Panel with Anna Bogutskaya, Alexandra West and Dr. Lindsay Hallam (SD, 1:06:47)

Them Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

THEM is a fantastic and eerie horror thriller. The slow-build suspense of the filmmaking is top-notch. There is a wonderful sense of dread to the film that carries throughout it.

The performances by Olivia Bonamy and Michaël Cohen add a lot to the filmmaking, too. Writer-director David Moreau (The Eye) made something special and well worth appreciating. A genre gem.

The Umbrella Entertainment Collector's Edition includes a deluxe chipboard art-box, a slipcover edition inside of the package, a poster, and art cards. The release includes a booklet as well. Recommended.