Retired hunter Sophie invites her fellow hunter and childhood best friend, Kyle, to her family’s secluded cabin deep in the woods. There, she plans for Kyle to meet and teach her fiancé, Nolan, how to hunt for an article he’s writing and to share the news of their engagement. Tensions flare between Kyle and Nolan over their shared history with Sophie, escalating during the hunt that goes awry when they are ambushed by a vicious pack of territorial wolves. As alliances fracture under the pressure of survival, Sophie is forced to rely on her long-abandoned hunting prowess to face the deadly predators and save the one closest to her heart.

For in-depth thoughts on Out Come the Wolves, please see my colleague Phil Walsh’s review from its original theatrical debut here.

Video Quality

The film debuts on Blu-Ray with a 1080p presentation in its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio that represents the movie exceedingly well. There is no overt damage or digital noise in this transfer. Objects hold up favorably in the shadows and retain their depth with only the slightest banding at hand. The transfer provides deep black levels that rarely stumble with crush or other shortcomings. There is a slight loss in detail when it comes to some of the shots of the violent attacks, but it is not a major issue throughout. The movie has a reserved color palette that is faithfully saturated with earthy tones and vibrant pops of vegetation. We are struck by the detail and clarity afforded by this format. You can appreciate the minute facets on display, especially in the rustic production design and bloody makeup effects brimming with grotesque textures. Shudder has done nice work with this Blu-Ray.

Audio Quality

Out Come the Wolves arrives on Blu-Ray with an impeccably executed DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that brings things together quite well. Dialogue and an array of sound effects stay favorably balanced throughout the duration. While not particularly showy, the movie digs deep when the narrative requires it, and environmental sounds provide an effective atmosphere for the story. The track’s low end provides some memorable texture when the tension is building. All elements play well with the music where nothing gets swallowed up in the track. Surround channels provide some spine-tingling activity with the interior tones and other developments in the darkness. The track gives you everything you want as a horror fan. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Director Adam MacDonald provides a track with some great insights into the production process, the background with the talent, the shooting locations, the song choices, the special effects work, and more.

Electronic Press Kit: A six-minute piece in which the cast and creative team discuss the collaborative process, the creation of the film, working with the wolf puppets, the themes of the film, and more.

Sophie Bike Crash Pre-Vis: A creative 30-second rendering of a key scene in the film.

Still Gallery of Storyboards and Production Materials

Final Thoughts

Out Come the Wolves is a pulse-pounding, economical thriller that rarely wastes a moment in ratcheting up the tension, either when it comes to ferocious beasts or the emotional turmoil between these three individuals. There is a practical quality to the filmmaking that convincingly sells the threat at hand, even if the character development could be a bit more well-rounded to keep you more invested in the ultimate fates of the players. Missy Peregrym is a compelling lead who holds up the movie to keep it as successful as it is. Further refinement could make this a more accomplished tale, but it entertains enough to justify a watch. Shudder has released a Blu-Ray featuring an excellent A/V presentation and a decent assortment of special features. Recommended

Out Come the Wolves 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.