In Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller, Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie, Jojo Rabbit, Old), an aspiring fashion designer, is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s, where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer, Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy, Emma, “The Queen’s Gambit”). But the glamour is not all it appears to be, and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something far darker.
For in-depth thoughts on Last Night In Soho, please see my colleague Dom Fisher’s review from its original theatrical release here.
Video Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Last Night In Soho offers a decent uptick in quality over the already rock solid accompanying Blu-Ray, making this one a visual treat. The most notable improvement between the two formats is the increased range of the color spectrum. The Dolby Vision and HDR provides much more nuance and depth to the myriad of hues you have on screen, especially in the neon lighting. You can take a look at any of the various environments throughout the film and be blown away. The highlights in the film are more defined with whites more pure and balanced with no instances of blooming to be found. Perhaps more impressively, for a film that often finds itself creeping through the shadows, scenes are beautifully vivid and finely delineated. The black levels are fantastic in this presentation, staying deep and inky with great detail. Skin tones appear more natural with healthy doses of crisp detail apparent on faces such as pores. This 4K UHD presentation really delivers on all fronts including strong gains in clarity and color. The Blu-Ray is great, but Universal has delivered another superior effort on this latest 4K release.
Audio Quality
This disc comes equipped with a Dolby Atmos presentation that really brings this story to life perfectly. From the opening, the soundscape is set to deliver an expansive experience as we navigate between time periods with very distinct sounds. Sounds are appropriately rendered with precise directionality from the more kinetic scenes to interpersonal moments of dialogue. Ambient details are plentiful and quite satisfying in the rear and overhead channels. The overhead channels serve to complement the other channels rather than carry the main load, which adds a nice sense of space to the mix. Musical cues and the knockout score envelope the room in a thrilling way. Dialogue is presented perfectly clear without ever being overwhelmed by any of the competing sonic elements. There are several set pieces that provide an all-encompassing soundscape that kicks in throughout all the speakers. The low end is engaged in a really solid way that pulses throughout the room. The mix is sure to satisfy those who love an enveloping audio experience.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary #1: Director/Co-Writer Edgar Wright, Editor Paul Machliss, and Composer Steve Price provides a really fun and informative commentary track which leans more into the technical side of the filmmaking process.
- Audio Commentary #2: Director/Co-Writer Edgar Wright and Co-Writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns provide an equally fun commentary track that leans more into the story elements and performances of the film.
- Meet Eloise: A ten-minute look at the character played by Thomasin McKenzie which runs through some of the basic characteristics along with some of the challenges that came with bringing this character to the screen. While not essential, it is intriguing enough to see the training that was undertaken for this role.
- Dreaming Of Sandie: A nine-minute featurette which does much of the same for the character played by Anya Taylor-Joy along with some exploration of the character of Jack played by Matt Smith.
- Smoke and Mirrors: A nearly 13-minute exploration of the aesthetic of the film in its different forms from the perspective of the lighting, makeup, special effects, and creative camerawork. Some of the practical approaches are really cool and add a lot to making this film feel authentic.
- On The Streets of Soho: A nine-minute look at the experience of shooting in Soho, what it added to the film and how locations were transformed to suit the narrative.
- Time Travelling: An 11-minute look at the experience of being transported back in time from the music to the visuals and costumes and how it all ties into the narrative of the film.
- Deleted Scenes: Six scenes of unused material totaling nine minutes are provided here including a scene of Ellie getting conned, an extended chase scene and more.
- Animatics: Four animatics totaling 13 minutes are provided here depicting the First Dream, Shadow Men, Murder and Final Confrontation.
- Extras: An array of straightforward supplements are provided here including Hair & Makeup Tests (7:26), Lighting & VFX Tests (6:20), Wide Angle Witness Cam (1:54), Action Town Hall Steadicam Rehearsal (1:24) and Steadicam Alternative Take (1:45).
- “Downtown” Music Video: A five-and-a-half minute music video for the signature song is provided here featuring Taylor-Joy in the studio interspersed with clips from the film.
- Trailers: This disc includes the Domestic Trailer #1 (2:13) and International Trailer (2:29).
Final Thoughts
Last Night In Soho finds director Edgar Wright at the height of his abilities in a technical sense as he wrangles all of these impressive crafts together for a visual wonderland. The performances are likewise a standout across the board with both Taylor-Joy and McKenzie proving why they are two of the most intriguing performers working today. The story is often very thrilling and visceral in its twists and turns, even if not every element completely works. There are some narrative barriers to keep this from being a perfect film, but it is still a great effort from one of our favorite working directors. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a terrific A/V presentation and a nice array of special features. If you are an Edgar Wright fan, you can buy this with confidence. Recommended
Last Night In Soho is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Universal Pictures Home 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.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
