Broadcasting through a makeshift network of discarded televisions, KUSO is a shifting series of vignettes tangled in the aftermath of Los Angeles’s worst earthquake nightmare. Travel between screens and aftershocks into the twisted lives of the survived. Blending nightmarish visions, animation and a shocking image of a distorted America, this is the daring debut and Sundance sensation from director Steve, aka renowned musician Flying Lotus. Delirious, provocative and darkly hilarious, KUSO is as verbose with macabre, music, melancholy and unimaginable imagery. You won’t believe your eyes, or your mind.

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Video Quality

The film debuts on Blu-Ray with a 1080p presentation in its original 2.40:1 aspect ratio which deftly captures the aesthetic intention of the feature. This is a visually varied film with a mixture of digital filmmaking, 35mm, 16mm, and 8mm all conformed to a 2K Digital Intermediate. This results in an appropriately grimy outing that is represented very well in HD. The movie has a radiant color palette that is accurately saturated when showing off the backgrounds, clothing, and other design elements. Some of the lighting elements stand out with bold hues.

The detail and clarity of the picture renders with stomach-churning clarity. Every wound, boil, and slimy discharge is on hideous display. Even when there are shadowy moments, you can not get away from the crisp nightmare fuel. The transfer provides strong black levels that do not suffer much in the way of crush or other shortcomings. There is no damage or unexpected digital noise on display in this transfer. Objects retain their depth with minimal banding at hand. There is a subtle loss of detail when it comes to some of the panning shots in the shadows, but it is not a major issue throughout. If you are a fan of the film, you will pleased with this HD transfer.

Audio Quality

Kuso arrives on Blu-Ray with a perfectly deployed DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that brings this one to vivid life. The sound effects may not be as disgusting as what you are seeing visually, but the do have an offputting nature to them that is replicated well on disc. Dialogue and sound effects are harmonious throughout the duration. Surround channels provide some choice activity that makes the world feel immersive. The track’s low end provides some effective texture when the story calls for it. All elements play well with the music and score where nothing feels lost in the track. The audio experience holds as well as the video side of things. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Film critic Simon Abrams provide a commentary track that offers up some great insights into the film that are especially unique considering he was mixed on the movie when he first watched it. He gets into some of the thematic layers of the production, influences on Flying Lotus, the background of the creatives, and much more that makes us more open to giving this another shot in the future.

Interview with Writer/Director Flying Lotus: A new 21-minute interview with the artist in which he discusses how the idea for this project developed, his influences on the material, what he learned from making his first feature, why he wanted to make something that expands what representation means, and more.

Bob – Unreleased Short Film: A nearly seven-minute short film that is every bit as weird and upsetting as you would expect from Flying Lotus.

Smear – 8mm Animated Short: A 48-second animated short that is not as gross as most of the other content here.

Behind The Scenes Footage: A nearly four-minute fly-on-the-wall look at the production of the film.

Delete and Extended Scenes: A ten-minute collection of unused material is provided here.

FX Tests: A 57-second look at some prop testing.

Behind The Scenes Stills: A two-minute collection of photos from the production.

Art Gallery: A minute-long look at some of the sketches and designs created fro the film.

Booklet: A multi-page booklet is included featuring a new essay by film critic Michelle Kisner that provides a good examination of the film’s background, the direction of Flying Lotus, the themes, and more.

Final Thoughts

Kuso is a something of an endurance test for viewers who are not into disgusting cinema. There are moments we can appreciate in terms of the ingenuity and creativity that went into making it a reality, but we do not personally have a high tolerance for this type of content. Sickos are sure to enjoy the chaotic energy of this stomach-churning oddity, and the inclusion of some notable on-screen talent is sure to coax a few audience to test out this nightmare. Shudder has released a Blu-Ray featuring a strong A/V presentation and a fantastic assortment of special features. If you are still interested after hearing all the reasons you might not like, you will probably love it.

Kuso 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: Shudder 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.