The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.

For in-depth thoughts on The Zone of Interest, please see my colleague Larry Fried’s review from its original TIFF debut here.

Video Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of The Zone of Interest offers this visually arresting film the most impressive presentation that we could have hoped for. This release treats this movie with the necessary respect, but the lack of an accompanying Blu-Ray makes it impossible to judge the degree of upgrade from the Blu-Ray also available exclusively on the A24 website. Director of Photography Lukas Zal creates a “looking through the window” effect with impeccably clear cinematography that makes the actions land with a greater impact. The transfer reveals a world of texture in the clothing, production design, and natural environment. Skin tones appear to be detailed and natural with subtle facets apparent on faces such as perspiration, pores, and fine lines.

The implementation of HDR10 harnesses all the nuances that this narrative demands. The setting is eerily relaxed in juxtaposition to the horrors occurring on the other side of the camp walls. You nearly get lost in the idyllic nature of the setting until the film snaps you back into the reality of the situation with a smoke plume or cry from afar. The colors are deep but not hyper-saturated thanks to the slight gray tint over everything to match the mood. The increased range of the color spectrum is a major benefit to this production. The highlights in the film are confidently defined with whites stable and balanced with no instances of blooming. Black levels are likewise impressive, staying deep and inky with impeccable detail. The infrared material is rendered exactly as intended by the creative team. A24 has delivered an ideal 4K UHD Blu-Ray release.

Audio Quality

This 4K UHD Blu-Ray comes with a vital Dolby Atmos track that deftly accomplishes everything it sets out to do. This film won the Academy Award for sound for a reason, as the movie would not be able to convey its full power without it. For every gentle walk through the garden, you have the sounds of distant gunfire or muffled screams beyond the wall. The Atmos experience allows the height channels to flesh out the world to feel more three-dimensional. Ambient sounds are perfectly deployed in the rear channels to capture the horror of the situation. Dialogue comes through clearly without being impeded by any competing sounds. The distinct score from Mica Levi emanates from the speakers with first-rate fidelity. The movie is the polar opposite of an action film, but it taps into a textural state that cannot be overlooked. The audio track is impeccable. There are optional English and Spanish subtitles provided.

Special Features

Aleksandra: An eight-minute real-life account of a now-elderly woman who was a part of the underground resistance during World War II and somewhat inspired one of the characters in the film.

Filming Zone: A 32-minute behind-the-scenes piece on the making of the film with an optional audio commentary from production designer Chris Oddy, costume designer Malgorzata Karpiuk, director of photography Lukas Zal, and editor Paul Watts.

Sunbeams: A three-minute song composed by a prisoner in the camp.

Postcards: There are six collectible postcards featuring stills photography by Agata Gryzbowska and Kuba Kaminski.

Final Thoughts

The Zone of Interest is a film that stands apart from anything in its class. We have had countless films about the Holocaust, but few have captured the horrifying mundanity that the perpetrators felt when taking so many lives. The callous nature of these actions is the type of thing that lingers with you after you have left the theater. The filmmaking on display from Jonathan Glazer is unimpeachable, and the performances are haunting. A24 has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray with a first-rate A/V presentation and some welcome special features. If you admire the film, this is a sterling release. Recommended

The Zone of Interest is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray exclusively at the A24 Shop.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: A24 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.