- Director : Mark O'Brien
- Actors : Henry Czerny, Mark O'Brien, Mayko Nguyen
- Media Format : Anamorphic, NTSC, Surround Sound, Widescreen
- Studio : Arrow Video
- Country of Origin : Canada
- Number of discs : 1
- Run time : 1 hour and 37 minutes
- Release date : July 19, 2022
The Canadian psychological thriller The
Righteous isn’t so much frightening as it is a suspenseful meditation on faith
and religion, which is what leads me to believe filmmaker Mark O'Brien was
likely inspired by the work of Ingmar Bergman. There are also many narrative similarities
to Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1955 film, Ordet. While these are admirable
reference points, they may not be solid selling points for the average modern
film viewers, who often expect a bit more clarity and spectacle. But for those
who enjoy thoughtful and ambiguous cinema, The Righteous may be a welcome
relief from dumbed-down Hollywood blockbusters and entries into shared
cinematic universes.
The plot of The
Righteous follows a former priest named Frederic Mason (Henry Czerny) and
his wife Ethel (Mimi Kuzyk) as they come to terms with the untimely death of
their only child. Shortly after the funeral of their daughter, Frederic comes
across a young man named Aaron Smith (played by O’Brien) who is injured and
lost in the woods surrounding their remote home. Although Ethel is initially concerned
when Frederick brings the mysterious young man into their home to heal, the
older couple eventually begin to bond with Aaron. This changes when Aaron makes
outrageous claims and demands to Frederick, which imply he may have
supernatural abilities connected either to God or the Devil.
Much of the film
involves conversations about faith and life choices that Aaron has with Frederick
at night when Ethel is sleeping. Frederick in turn begins to question what he
knows to be true, both about his own life and the faith he has placed in religious
beliefs. This leads to more conversations between Frederick and other
characters, all building up to a few brief moments of suspenseful action and a
decision which will change his and Ethel’s life, one way or another. The choice
placed at Frederick’s feet also bears some resemblance to decision that must be
made by the protagonist of Yorgos Lanthimos’s The Killing of a Sacred Deer,
though the themes are slightly different.
Essentially
taking place in a single location with a dialogue-heavy plot, black-and-white
cinematography, and an ambiguous ending, The Righteous almost defiantly chooses
an artistic approach over an entertaining one. While some viewers may find this
a refreshing approach, others are likely to be bored and/or frustrated. While I
appreciated the boldness of the filmmaking, I can’t say I have a burning desire
to watch The Righteous again any time soon.
The Arrow Films
Blu-ray release of O’Brien’s debut feature offers a polished presentation of
the stylish black-and-white photography, even if much of the movie just
contains scenes of people talking. The Blu-ray also contains the original 5.1
DTS-HD master audio, and a great deal of attention given to the packaging. There
is a reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork by Grant Boland and Oink
Creative, along with the original poster design on the opposite side. The package
also comes with a booklet insert that has statements on the film from O’Brien
and producer Mark O’Neill, cast and crew info, and an essay on the film by Sean
Hogan. Production stills from the movie add even more to the booklet insert.
Additional
special feature on the disc include the following:
- Optional
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Brand
new audio commentary by writer, director and actor Mark O'Brien and editor
Spencer Jones
- Cast
and crew interviews with writer/director/actor Mark O'Brien, producer Mark
O'Neill, actors Henry Czerny, Mimi Kuzyk, and Kate Corbett, editor Spencer
Jones, cinematographer Scott McClellan, and production designer Jason
Clarke
- Roundtable
discussion with Mark O'Brien and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett and
Chad Villella of Radio Silence
- Stage
Presentation and Q&A with Mark O'Brien and Henry Czerny from the World
Premiere at Fantasia International Film Festival 2021
- Grimmfest
2021 live-streamed Q&A with Mark O'Brien
- Original
soundtrack
- Image
gallery, accompanied by the film's original score by Andrew Staniland
Entertainment Value:
4/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 6.5/10
Historical
Significance: 5/10
Special Features: 8/10
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