The first in a planned series of two epic sci-fi action time-warpers, the film is a tale of two eras, following two Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) shamans seeking a legendary, time-bending blade as they unexpectedly cross paths with modern-era people hunting down a dangerous alien concealed inside a human’s body.

For in-depth thoughts on Alienoid, please see my colleague Andre Couture’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

Alienoid comes to Blu-Ray with a stunning AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. This vibrant film is replete with beautiful colors in the clothing, lighting and the production design. Nearly every scene has an element that radiates off the screen. There is an impressive level of detail in even the most subtle elements of the background. The world built during the Goryeo era is wonderfully realized with great depth. The picture is clear with very little loss of shadow detail even in the darkest moments. Black levels are mostly impressive in their depth. Skin tones are natural throughout with some wondrous details present in certain shots. The film sports some luscious cinematography which is showcased pretty well here. Well Go USA has done a fine job with this presentation, although it would have been nice to have this one on 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray disc comes with a terrific DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio presentation in the original Korean that handles the persistent action incredibly well. All of the various sounds are balanced well during the action sequences including destruction of structures and explosions. The scenes of vehicles careening down the street and other such kinetic moments provide a fantastic amount of activity in the low end. Speakers are subjected to a full-on sonic throttling during the more intense showdowns while providing a three dimensional environment. The track offers impeccable immersion into the environment with the subtlest elements rightfully represented. Directionality of sound is never an issue with this track, and dialogue is reproduced flawlessly. The audio presentation brings this film to life exceedingly well. Optional English subtitles are provided. There is also a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio English dub provided, but do yourself a favor and do not consider that a viable option.

Special Features

Making Of: A three-minute featurette is provided in which the cast and creative team discuss the creativity of the story, the direction of Choi Dong-hoon, how this serves as a “part one” and more.

Trailers: There is a Character Trailer (3:45) and Trailer (2:07) provided for Alienoid. There are also trailers provided for Hansan: Rising Dragon, Emergency Declaration and The Loneliest Boy In The World.

Final Thoughts

Alienoid is a gonzo action sci-fi adventure which plays by its own rules while never losing respect for the audience. Even if you are paying strict attention, you may find it a bit difficult to keep track of the time hopping and morphing characters, but even a simple surface-level assessment should make it clear how much fun there is to be had. The tone can run a tad bit juvenile, but it’s all a part of the heightened aesthetic it establishes from the beginning. Well Go USA has released a Blu-Ray with a great A/V presentation but not too much in the way of special features. If you enjoy big, gaudy sci-fi action epics with a lighthearted flair, give this one a spin. Recommended

Alienoid will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital on December 6, 2022.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Well Go USA Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.