Mankind’s earliest settlers on the Martian frontier, llsa (Sofia Boutella) and Reza (Johnny Lee Miller) inhabit a desolate farmstead with their child Remmy (Brooklynn Prince and Nell Tiger Free). They work the land and shield their daughter from the dangers of the harsh surroundings. When hostile intruders threaten to expel them from the compound the family is forced to fight to survive in this science-fiction thrill ride.
For thoughts on Settlers, please see my colleague Michael Cook’s review from its original theatrical release here.
Video Quality
Settlers comes to Blu-Ray with a gorgeous AVC encoded 1080p transfer that showcases the look of the film really well. Where the transfer really shines is the impressive level of detail both in the costumes and the environment. Everything from the textures of the interiors to the intricacies of the costumes are quite impressive. The cinematography features very few pops of color with everything appearing to have an extremely warm, desolate quality about it to match the location. The film mostly subsists on various shades of orange with not much else leaping off the screen. The picture is mostly clear with only brief instances of murkiness during a few darker scenes. Black levels are admirable but could stand to be a bit deeper. Skin tones are natural throughout with some impeccable details present in certain shots. Overall, this is a lovely transfer that should please fans.
Audio Quality
The film comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that has quite a bit of depth and is well balanced. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without being overwhelmed by any of the other sounds. The music maintains a nice fidelity throughout. Activity in the low end is very subtle and is mostly used to add a bit of texture to some of the more kinetic moments. Environmental effects play a substantial role in the film, and this track brings these elements to life quite capably. The use of the rear channels to create a fully enveloping world works quite well. The directionality is quite precise so sounds always present as natural when coming from their respective points. RLJE Films has delivered a top-tier track for this film.
Special Features
- Becoming Settlers: A pretty great 15-minute featurette in which director Wyatt Rockefeller discusses his initial inspiration for the story, the thematic notes he wanted to tackle, researching and discovering scientific facts that were incorporated into the narrative and more. The cast also weigh in on what the story means for them, their role in the journey, the process of shooting in such an isolated location and more.
Final Thoughts
Settlers is a slow-burn science fiction drama which gently unravels into darkness. There are many admirable aspects to this narrative, but it does not quite nail the nuances to reach greatness. With a little more fine-tuning of the focus and pacing, we may have gotten there. Visually the film impresses on a limited budget, always keeping you firmly entrenched in this out-of-this-world journey. The performances are consistently great across the board, especially the two actors who play Remmy. RLJE Films has released a Blu-Ray featuring a strong A/V presentation and a decent supplemental feature. If you are a science fiction fan, it’s worth giving it a shot. Recommended
Settlers is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: RLJE Films 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.
