‘Spoonful Of Sugar’ Blu-Ray Review – Drug-Fueled Horror Outing Taps Into Psychological Dread

A disturbed babysitter experiences a sexual awakening while using LSD to alternatively treat a seemingly “sick” child from a family with dark secrets of their own.

For in-depth thoughts on Spoonful Of Sugar, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required: 

Video Quality

The film debuts on Blu-Ray with a 1080p presentation in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio that steadfastly captures the intended aesthetic of the picture. The movie has a reserved color palette that is faithfully saturated in what is mostly muted interiors with flourishes of stark lighting. Key hues make an impression, but detail and clarity are the more obvious achievements. There is lovely detail on display, especially in the production design and textures of the costumes. The transfer serves up deep black levels that do not struggle with crush or other shortcomings. Objects stand out in the shadows and retain their depth with no unforgivable banding at hand. There is a slight loss in detail when our lead character is experiencing the effects of the substances she is consuming. There is no damage or digital noise on display in this transfer. Shudder has done a top-notch job with this release. 

Audio Quality

Spoonful Of Sugar arrives on Blu-Ray with a mighty DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that represents the film perfectly. Dialogue and various sound effects stay admirably balanced throughout the duration where nothing gets lost in the track. Surround channels provide some unsettling activity with the interior tones and other sounds that make you question your reality. The track’s low end provides some vital texture when the tension is building. The movie digs deep when it is supposed to, and environmental sounds consume you quite well. Music permeates the room for an immersive experience. This track does everything that is asked of it. Optional English SDH and French subtitles are provided. 

Special Features

• Audio Commentary: Director Mercedes Bryce Morgan and producers Matt Miller, Natalie Metzger, and Katrina Kudlick provide a commentary track in which they provide some great insights into the production process, the themes of the film, the qualities of the performers, the location shooting, the production design, and more that is worth a listen.

• Behind The Scenes Footage: A three-hour-and-twenty-minute fly-on-the-wall look at the production of the film. 

• The Story Featurette: A two-minute overview of the narrative with the cast and creative team. 

• The Horror Featurette: A minute-long look at the unsettling nature of the feature. 

• Original Teaser (0:33)

• Original Trailer (1:27) 

• Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring the essay “Spoonful Of Sugar Goes Down In A Most Delightfully Demented Way” from film critic BJ Colangelo is provided here. This piece gives a well-rounded analysis of the film. 

Final Thoughts

Spoonful Of Sugar is not your traditional horror outing thanks to the combination of psychological dread and underlying human decay. Morgan Saylor puts forth an enviable performance that goes beyond the “damaged outsider” archetype to achieve something truly unique. The choice to extend the darkness to the other members of the household allows this to transcend any moral panic around drug consumption and linger with inherited complications. This is a work that lingers with you for some time after the credits have finished rolling. Shudder has released a Blu-Ray featuring a strong A/V presentation and an enviable assortment of special features. Recommended 

Spoonful Of Sugar 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.