Kelly-Anne wakes up every morning to wait outside the courtroom to secure a seat at the high-profile trial of Ludovic Chevalier, a man charged with the murder of three teenage girls, with the gruesome videos of two of the crimes surfacing for sale online on the dark web. She finds herself bonding with a fellow voyeur, momentarily breaking her out of her loneliness, while also witnessing the emotional decline of the victims’ families. As the proceedings continue, it becomes increasingly difficult for Kelly-Anne to maintain the psychological and physical balance between her normal life and her morbid fixation with the accused killer, with her obsession reaching new lengths when the final piece of evidence reveals itself within reach.

For in-depth thoughts on Red Rooms, please see my colleague Will Bjarnar’s review from its theatrical debut here.

Video Quality

Red Rooms comes to Blu-Ray in a 1080p presentation that deftly realizes the artistic intent of this story. The film is visually nimble, and the transfer handles every shift in the environment with the utmost care. The transfer reveals texture within the costumes and production design that adds substantial depth to the picture. Skin tones are detailed and natural all around. Some very bold colors capture the backdrop well, especially in some of the lighting choices in key scenes. There is nothing artificially boosted here, but there is an underlying intricacy that makes the world come alive. Highlights are handled effortlessly with no instances of blooming, and the blacks are deep and do not suffer from crush or compression artifacts. Utopia has done a faithful job with this release.

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray disc comes with an unsettling DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track in the original French with forced English subtitles that executes this narrative with care. The film uses music to haunting effect as it saturates the room with an enveloping soundscape. The sound design is not overly flashy, yet the execution is perfect with sounds positioned precisely in the mix. Environmental effects expand the soundscape and make the world feel more three-dimensional. There are fleeting sequences that dig deep in the low end to add some texture to certain moments when appropriate. Dialogue comes through clearly without ever being overshadowed by competing sounds. This is a top-tier release all around.

Special Features

Audio Commentaries: There are two commentary tracks that provide different perspectives on the film including the realities of the production with the filmmaker and the artistic and thematic qualities as analyzed by a film historian. Each of these tracks is worth a listen to gain more from the feature.

- Audio Commentary #1: Director Pascal Plante

- Audio Commentary #2: Film Historian Alex West

Making Of Documentary: A terrific 49-minute making-of documentary is provided that delivers a fly-on-the-wall look at the production of the film including set construction, blocking, hair and makeup, costume fittings, and much more.

Live Musical Performance with Composer Dominique Plante: A nearly 20-minute live musical performance is provided.

Theatrical Trailer: The two-minute trailer is provided here.

Booklet: There is a multi-page booklet included featuring an essay by film critic Jourdain Searles in which she examines the film and its themes in a very illuminating manner.

Final Thoughts

Red Rooms is one of the most psychologically intense viewing experiences you will embark upon this year, and it conjures true dread without showing anything overtly disturbing. It is the uncertainty of what makes a person act the way they do and the upsetting realities of human darkness that get under your skin. The film thrives on all levels from impeccable craftsmanship to committed performances. The film will linger with you for quite a while, and you will be grateful to have watched something that evokes such an intense response. Utopia has released a Blu-Ray featuring a fantastic A/V presentation and great special features. Don’t let this one pass you by. Recommended

Red Rooms 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: Utopia & 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.