Boy, The

In The Boy, Greta (Cohan) is a young American woman who takes a job as a nanny in a remote English village. She soon discovers that the family’s 8-year-old is a life-sized doll that they care for just like a real boy, as a way to cope with the death of their son 20 years prior. After violating a list of strict rules, a series of disturbing and inexplicable events bring Greta’s worst nightmare to life, leading her to believe that the doll is actually alive. (Gary Reber)

Special features include upfront previews and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.40:1 1080p AVC picture was photographed digitally using the Arri Alexa XT Plus camera system and exhibits a remarkably filmic appearance. The color palette is warmly rendered with rich hues and strong primaries. Fleshtones are natural throughout. There are numerous dark scenes, especially within the interior of the mansion, yet shadow delineation is revealing. Contrast is generally good with deep, solid blacks. The Boy, dressed in black attire, is nicely defined as well as the intricate woodwork, furniture, upholstery, and other object textures. Facial features, hair, and clothing also are nicely detailed. The exterior stone facade and surround grounds are naturally rendered as well. This is a very pleasing visual experience that sets the perfect mood for the storytelling. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding, with creepy nuanced sound effects and atmospherics, such as various creaks, running water, and moans, which enhance the sense of pending terror. Surround energy can be quite aggressive and effective, creating a sense of dimensional authenticity. Even exterior sounds are realistic, such as the sound of an English Taxi, wind, rain, and thunder. Deep bass is extended during heightened suspense sequences to sub-25 Hz frequencies, which really enhances the eeriness of the proceedings. The orchestral music score is wonderful, with impressive fidelity and robust soundfield dimension. Dialogue is intelligible throughout, with good spatial integration. This is a terrific reference soundtrack that perfectly stirs the emotions and excites. (Gary Reber)