On Halloween Eve in Brooklyn, an average Joe loser named Chris finds an invitation to a costume party. Arriving at the “party,” Chris discovers he’s fallen prey to a lethal trap set by deranged artists. As the night wears on, rivalries within the group flare up. A body count accrues, and Chris must take advantage of the ensuing chaos if he’s to survive the night.
For thoughts on Murder Party, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:
Video Quality
Murder Party debuts on Blu-Ray as the first title under the new partnership between Magnolia Pictures and OCN Distribution, and we could not have asked for a better first title. This no-budget film arrives with a strong 1080p video presentation derived from a 2024 transfer and upres of Original Tape Materials which was approved by Director Jeremy Saulnier. You might not expect much from such a fly-by-night production shot on digital at this time, but this new transfer is quite impressive given the source. There is some texture to the screen with a world of inventive production design flourishes and iconic Halloween costumes.
All of these elements provide notably clear textural details and depth to the image. The image is clean with consistency from setting to setting even within the budgetary confines. The color palette faithfully saturates the screen with some of the gory effects really popping in the third act. The film employs bold splashes of colors within the design elements which never lack for something appealing. Black levels are fairly deep with no observable digital noise. The flesh tones are natural with a serious amount of detail in close-ups such as face paint and stubble. This Blu-Ray will prove to be worth the wait for fans.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray comes with a great DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that captures the nuances and capabilities of this distinct sound design. Dialogue is a major part of the film, and it always emanates clearly without being overshadowed by any competing sounds. Kinetic moments kick in sporadically, most notably in the finale, but even the more subdued environmental sounds of the warehouse engage the surround speakers in a truly memorable way. When the characters are walking around, some nice ambient details flesh out the scene. The music at play comes through with an agreeable fidelity. These sounds fill the speakers in a wonderful, well-balanced way. Certain sound effects such as the chainsaw engage the low end of the track in a way that supplies a vital texture to the proceedings. The audio track delivers on all fronts. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.
Special Features
- Audio Commentaries: There are two commentary tracks provided that provide different perspectives on this film. The archival track with the creative team was recorded prior to the film’s release, so there is more of a focus on the challenges of making the film and how everything came together through sheer force of will. The new commentary track from the film critic allows for some creative analysis and historical context. Both are well worth a listen.
- Audio Commentary #1: Film Critic Simon Abrams (2024)
- Audio Commentary #2: Writer/director Jeremy Saulnier and actors Chris Sharp and Macon Blair (2007)
- Crashing The Gates – An Interview with Writer/Director Jeremy Saulnier: A nearly 24-minute interview with the filmmaker in which he discusses the early challenges of breaking into the film business, the development of Murder Party, the necessity of shooting on the smallest budget possible, his desire to not get pigeonholed into horror comedy, what he learned making Murder Party, and much more that is very thoughtful.
- Extreme Truth – The Making of Murder Party: A 25-minute archival featurette in which the creative team delves into the creation of the film, the collaborative process, and much more.
- Valediction In Black – Lexi’s Art Installation Video: A minute-and-a-half-long look at the film-within-the-film.
- How To Make Your Own Brown Knight Costume: A five-minute how-to video on creating your own signature costume.
- Outtakes and Bloopers: A four-minute collection of flubbed lines, goofy moments, malfunctioning props, and more.
- Original Trailer: The minute-and-a-half-long trailer is provided here.
- Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring new writing by film critic Kim Newman is provided that analyzes the film and puts it into context with the output of Jeremy Saulnier.
Final Thoughts
Murder Party is a wonderfully unhinged debut from Jeremy Saulnier that overcomes any budget limitations to provide a strong foundation for a great career. The movie may move a bit slow at first for some, but we love the time spent with these characters during rather mundane interactions as it feeds into how we respond to their ultimate fate. The film delivers hilarious pitch-black comedy and goopy, gory goodness for a Halloween tale you won’t soon forget. This is an absolute blast! Magnolia Pictures has released a Blu-Ray featuring a respectable A/V presentation and a delightful selection of supplemental features. We cannot wait to see what else Magnolia has in store under this new partnership. Recommended
Murder Party 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: Magnolia 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.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
