‘In Flames’ Blu-Ray-Review – Psychological Horror Gives Way To A Societal Reckoning

After the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart by figures from their past. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them.

For in-depth thoughts on In Flames, please see my colleague Cody Allen’s review from its original theatrical debut here.

Video Quality

In Flames makes its Blu-Ray debut with a strong 1080p video presentation that captures the lush cinematography well. The combination of lived-in production design and notable shooting locations provide clear textural details that make the space come alive. The nuanced color palette saturates the screen with some deep, complex colors within the landscapes and lighting schemes. The black levels succumb to a minor amount of banding in a few scenes, but for the most part, they maintain their depth. The flesh tones are natural with a great amount of detail present in close-ups. The presentation shows off a sterling amount of depth, especially when it comes to some of the shots along the water. This Blu-Ray is an ideal representation of this movie. 

Audio Quality

Yellow Veil Pictures gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track in the original Urdu with English subtitles. Dialogue emanates effortlessly without being overwhelmed by any competing sounds. Environmental sounds of the world effectively permeate the surround speakers with waves and certain mechanical sounds allowing the world to feel tactile. When the characters venture through the world, numerous unique ambient details flesh out the setting. The music is key and well-balanced while maintaining its fidelity. A few sequences deliver some welcome texture in the low end response. The audio track is a winner. 

Special Features

• Audio Commentaries: Two commentary tracks are provided in which the creative figures discuss how they achieved the look of the film, the music that was composed, the tone of the movie, the shooting locations, and much more that expands on the production process. 

• • Audio Commentary #1: Director Zarrar Kahn, Editor Craig Scorgie and Director of Photography Aigul Nurbulatova

• • Audio Commentary #2: Director Zarrar Kahn and Composer Kalaisan Kalaichelvan

• Interview with Zarrar Kahn: A nearly 16-minute interview with the filmmaker in which he discusses his frustration with patriarchal values in Pakistan, the creation of this film, the people he collaborated with, the performances in the film, and more. 

• BTS Featurette – The Hospital Oner: A minute-long piece in which the director discusses this difficult shot. 

• Discussion with Zarrar Kahn and Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy: A 13-minute virtual discussion in which the director discusses his reasons for wanting to tell this story. 

• Short Cuts To First Features TIFF Panel Discussion: A stellar 65-minute panel between the directors and producers of In Flames and The Queen of My Dreams. 

• Stray Dogs (Short Film): An 11-minute short film is provided in HD that follows an uncle and nephew taking a trip to the beach to try to reckon with the realities of life. 

• Theatrical Trailer (1:52) 

• Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring the essay “Reflections Of Safety” from Alisha Mughal is provided here. This piece gives a well-rounded analysis of the themes and plot developments of the film which strengthens your comprehension overall.  

Final Thoughts

In Flames is an effective blend of psychological horror and societal reckoning. As in many spaces around the globe, the deck is automatically stacked against women in Pakistan who are encouraged to fall into line with tradition. This dramatic narrative skillfully expands its scope as the movie develops from a personal nightmare to a generational bonfire of grief and anger. It is a good film that works thematically and delivers a high level of entertainment. Yellow Veil Pictures has released a Blu-Ray featuring a strong A/V presentation and a good number of special features. Recommended 

In Flames is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. 

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

Disclaimer: Yellow Veil Pictures and 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.