Rating summary
| Movie |  | 3.0 |
| Video |  | 3.5 |
| Audio |  | 4.0 |
| Extras |  | 5.0 |
| Overall | | 4.0 |
They Look Like People Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 19, 2022
2015’s “They Look Like People” is sold as a horror feature to attract viewers, but the material actually concerns the disintegration of reality for a very
ill character. Writer/director Perry Blackshear explores the insidious ways of mental illness, using the intimacy of friendship and all the trust it requires
to capture a dangerous situation of instability.
“They Look Like People” examines the experience of schizophrenia as it emerges between two longtime friends revisiting their bond. The living
experience with these emotionally wounded men becomes complicated by the arrival of dire thoughts concerning demonic events, but Blackshear
doesn’t transform the picture into a series of frights. He’s trying to be a bit more sensitive to the situation while still working to tighten tension as
impulse control is abandoned and reality is compromised.
They Look Like People Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "The Look Like People" remains slightly softer, with a milder sense of detail. Facial
particulars remain passably textured, along with decorative detail. Exteriors retain some dimension. Colors tend to follow states of coherence, with
psychotic episodes dialed down, while everyday life is vivid, delivering secure primaries. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Compression
issues are present, trigging some banding, and light blockiness is present.
They Look Like People Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers consistent dialogue exchanges, with clear voices. ADR efforts are also noticeable, with slippery sync at times. Music is
minimal, but registers with sharpness. Atmospherics supply crisp elements of madness.
They Look Like People Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Booklet (10 pages) includes an essay by Anton Bitel.
- Intro (1:27, HD) has writer/director Perry Blackshear welcoming viewers to the Blu-ray of "They Look Like People,"
sharing fond memories of supplementary material he viewed in his youth.
- Commentary #1 features writer/director Perry Blackshear.
- Commentary #2 features writer/director Perry Blackshear and actors MacLeod Andrews and Evan Dumouchel.
- Commentary #3 features actors MacLeod Andrews, Evan Dumouchel, and Margaret Ying Drake.
- Interviews (11:16, HD) provide video conference time with writer/director Perry Blackshear, and actors MacLeod Andrews,
Evan Dumouchel, and Margaret Ying Drake.
- Behind the Scenes Collection (22:42, HD) examines the planning involved with "They Look Like People," getting a sense of
anticipation as the 2013 shoot began. BTS footage is also included, highlighting production labor.
- Deleted and Extended Scenes (12:09, HD) are offered with or without commentary from writer/director Perry Blackshear.
- And a Trailer (1:00, HD) is included.
They Look Like People Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
"They Look Like People" has its moments of tension, but it mostly remains human, helped along by strong performances that capture the confusion in
play. It's a low budget offering of occasional suspense, and Blackshear isn't always attentive to pacing, but he has a different vision for this story of
paranoia and pain, and that takes "They Look Like People" to some interesting area of personal connection.
