Stuck in summer school with one day to get her life back together or get kicked out, Kennedy defies all responsibilities and rallies a ragtag crew for a midnight pool-hopping adventure through the lavish estates of her college town. But as the secrets spill, this wild escape becomes a cathartic journey of self-discovery.
For thoughts on Pools, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:
Video Quality
Pools comes to Blu-Ray in a 1080p presentation that capably translates the film to a home viewing experience. The transfer exposes texture within the clothing and production design that adds significant dimension to the picture. Subtle facets like perspiration from the intense heat come through well. Highlights are confidently handled with no instances of blooming, and the blacks are deep and do not succumb to any crush or compression artifacts. We did spot a brief instance of pixelization when a character jumps into a pool, but this appears to be the only major transfer hiccup. With this story taking place during the summer, the color palette leans warm with many vibrant and bold colors represented in the design elements and nature itself. The transfer conjures every environment with the appropriate amount of care. Skin tones are detailed and natural all around. Circle Collective has put forth a fine effort.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray disc comes with a perfectly straightforward DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that skillfully brings everything to life. One of our favorite aspects of the film is the soundtrack, and each tune adds some welcome texture to the low end at points. The music creates a chill vibe that effortlessly flows through the room. Dialogue comes through clearly without ever being overshadowed by competing sounds. Environmental flourishes add character to the locales to make them feel lived-in. The sound design is not straining itself with complicated notes, but the sounds are executed perfectly in the mix. This is a favorable soundscape on all fronts. Optional English SDH subtitles provided.
Special Features
- American Cinematheque Q&As: The cast and creative team take part in multiple Q&As in which they discuss the intention of making the film, the production process, themes tackled in the film, the relatable aspects of the material, the clothing in the film, and much more.
- Thursday, September 11, 2025 (21:47)
- Sunday, September 21, 2025 (25:31)
- Tuesday, September 23, 2025 (6:49)
- Behind the Scenes Featurette: A nearly eight-minute piece in which you get a look at life on the set during production, including comparisons between how things looked on set and the finished form.
- Behind the Scenes Photos
- Pool Party & Premiere Photos
- Alternate Poster Designs
- Film Photo Gallery
- Original Trailer (1:53)
Final Thoughts
Pools is the type of low-key hangout movie that we can put on at any time and enjoy. Odessa A’Zion does a really great job of bringing empathy and endearing traits to this slacker character who could very easily become a bit too obnoxious or a caricature that is not believable. The rest of the ensemble is likewise charming in their individual roles, leaving you glad that you chose to spend time with this burgeoning friend group. There are a few character arcs that are not completely satisfying, yet the journey in totality is one that we recommend taking if you enjoy a good college dramedy. Circle Collective has released a Blu-Ray featuring a solid A/V presentation and some great special features. Recommended
Pools is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome/OCN Distribution.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Circle Collective & 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.
