‘Holler’ Blu-Ray Review – Nicole Riegel Crafts An Ode To The Downtrodden In Her Intimate Debut

In a forgotten pocket of Southern Ohio where American manufacturing and opportunity are dying up, a determined young woman finds a ticket out when she is accepted to college. Alongside her older brother, Ruth Avery joins a dangerous scrap metal crew in order to pay her way. Together, they spend one brutal winter working the scrap yards during the day and stealing valuable metal from the once thriving factories at night. With her goal in sight, Ruth finds that the ultimate cost for an education for a girl like her may be more than she bargained for, and she soon finds herself torn between a promising future and the family she would leave behind.

For in-depth thoughts on Holler, please see my colleague Mike Vaughn’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

Holler comes to Blu-Ray in a rock-solid 1080p presentation that translates the gritty look of the picture with confidence. The film conveys a cold, depressing aesthetic that suits the narrative and looks great on disc. Each hue is translated precisely to unlock the complexity of the original photography. Certain elements of the production design stand out more on screen, adding a dynamic touch. The black levels are pretty strong, sidestepping most instances of crush and compression artifacts. Nevertheless, you may spot some momentary instances of banding in the darkest corners. Highlights are handled with care with no indication of blooming. The transfer also unmasks texture within the clothing and the natural environment that adds necessary depth to the picture. Skin tones are detailed and natural throughout the ensemble. The transfer is a winner from IFC Films. 

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray disc comes with a nuanced DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that captures all of the quiet intricacies of the journey. This is not a particularly kinetic narrative, but the low end shows some might when it needs to. The extra texture makes the world feel more complex and fully realized. The score from Gene Back permeates the room with a consistent fidelity. The sounds conjure a reality that has a unique, gritty personality. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without ever being drowned out by competing sounds. Environmental flourishes accentuate the soundscape to give the world some favorable qualities. The audio earns top marks. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. 

Special Features

• Audio Commentary: Writer/director Nicole Riegel and actors Jessica Barden and Gus Halper provide an informative and entertaining commentary track in which they delve into the chilly production, the stakes of shooting on film, collaborating with non-professional performers, the shooting locations, and more. 

• Behind the Scenes Video: An eight-minute collection of candid moments from the production. 

• Behind the Scenes Photos

• Deleted Scenes: There is a four-minute collection of unused footage provided that yields some interesting personal moments with our lead. 

• Holler Short Film with Introduction by Director Nicole Riegel: A 23-minute look at the short film that inspired the film with a lengthy explanation as to how the story evolved and how her trajectory was changed by Susan Sarandon. 

• Filmmaker Debra Granik in Conversation with Director Nicole Riegel and Actress Jessica Barden: A 44-minute conversation between the talent behind Holler and the filmmaker behind Winter’s Bone and Leave No Trace. With the similarities between the two filmmakers, there is a wonderful, exciting energy that bubbles throughout the conversation.

• Filmmaker Derek Cianfrance in Conversation with Director Nicole Riegel: A 37-minute conversation between the director behind Holler and the filmmaker behind The Place Beyond the Pines and Roofman. This is another smart pairing that brings up a lot that was not covered in other supplements.  
• Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring an essay from film critic Bilge Ebiri that explores the themes of the film, as well as a piece from producer Katie McNeill that discusses the challenges of making a film on a limited budget. 

Final Thoughts

Holler is an assured debut from Nicole Riegel that takes a familiar story and finds creative ways to mine new insights. The strength of the film is the ease with which Riegel captures the identity of the area and makes these characters feel completely authentic to the world. Jessica Barden is an absolute powerhouse in this role, and she keeps you invested throughout every stressful development. Some narrative shortcomings hold the film back from true greatness, but it is clear that Riegel is a major talent to watch. This largely went under the radar upon its initial release, so we hope more people take notice with this release. IFC Films has released a Blu-Ray featuring an excellent A/V presentation and some terrific special features. Recommended 

Holler is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome/OCN Distribution. 

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

Disclaimer: IFC Films & OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.