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Birdeater
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray ALL - Australia - Umbrella Entertainment Review written by and copyright: James-Masaki Ryan (31st March 2025). |
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The Film
 "Birdeater" (2023) Louie (played by Mackenzie Fearnley) and Irene (played by Shabana Azeez) are a young couple that are about to get married. While there are headaches in planning and arranging their wedding, Louie is having a buck party with his former schoolmates to celebrate. While traditionally, bachelor parties are for just the guys getting together, they decide to modernize it by having Irene join as well. Invited by Louie are Dylan (played by Ben Hunter) who is unhinged with his way of speaking his mind, sometimes to the level of offense, Murph (played by Alfie Gledhill) who is a more laid back soul, and Charlie (played by Jack Bannister) who brings his fiancée Grace (played by Clementine Anderson). Irene also invites her friend Sam (played by Harley Wilson), a bisexual free spirit who is unattached to anyone. They all meet at a secluded cabin in the rural outback, to celebrate and have fun, but things become quite complicated as disturbing truths get unearthed… The first half of “Birdeater” is an interesting character study of a group of acquaintances, and how supposedly knowing someone might not be entirely honest. The characters of Louie and Irene seem like a loving young couple who are having the usual anxieties of preparing for marriage. But details are revealed, such as how he is always pouring water for her to drink, her issues with her visa and staying in the country, how she is relying on sedatives to sleep, and his story about their first encounter seems completely different from what she recalls, things don’t add up for their relationship. Is she really making him happy, or is he unassumingly controlling her? With their friends asking questions and information being unveiled, audiences start to focus that main couple as perpetrator and victim as opposed to seeing the loving quirks. It is a disturbing feeling, and is mirror to the #MeToo movement which many question with “Why didn’t the victims come out and reveal things earlier?” Not only is it a matter of feeling guilt and not having the courage, but in some situations, it is because the victim didn’t realize that they were actually victims. Buck parties, or bachelor parties are known for their rowdiness and fun (as well as bachelorette parties) where the carefree attitude between best friends binging on alcohol and other substances is a common practice in many cultures, and it relieves much of the stress of the wedding and marriage beforehand, as discussed by the Louie and Irene at the start of the film. When seen in comedies such as "The Hangover" or "Bridesmaids" the results can be troubling with a hilarious view, but "Birdeater" is the opposite, giving more and more disturbing levels of tension as truths are revealed. From the start, the character of Dylan is the most unhinged, seemingly not in a mentally stable place, questioning actions, and blurting out offensive remarks. But later the tables seem to get turned when his remarks seem to take a different turn when backgrounds of the others are revealed further. The relationship between Louie and Irene is at the center of the story, but looking at the conservative Christian relationship of Grace and Charlie, and how the virgin couple are having issues of their own in the power struggle, there are some interesting things to note about them as well. The characters are well developed and the actors do a very good job at giving each person life and personality, but the spiraling downfall in madness in the second half proves to be the more difficult sell. Having drugs, alcohol, nudity, and violence, the latter half of "Birdeater" doesn't quite live up to the tension that was built in the first half. Taking cues from "Wake in Fright" which was a major inspiration for the filmmakers, the descent into madness feels more of a stylistic showcase rather than an emotional one, and is a disjointed affair. First time writers and directors Jack Clark and Jim Weir aimed to present a story about a frail relationship where abuse and emotional turmoil were underlying themes, and the approach is commendable with the build. Atmospherically the first half borrows heavily from intense single room dramas and horror, but once the floodgates are open, it feels hard to contain everything. Unfortunately by the end of the film there is more detachment from the characters, and even the ambiguous ending feels understated. The production was shot in New South Wales at the end of 2021 on location and it certainly looks beautiful with the lush green found in nature and the rural surroundings. Unfortunately due to unusual rainy weather, the production saw delays and the cast and crew eventually returned in May of 2022. Unfortunately the original actor cast as Dylan was unavailable to return due to prior commitments, and had to be completely recast with Hunter in the role, also meaning previously shot scenes with the character had to be completely reshot. The film had its premiere at the Sydney Film Festival on June 11th, 2023 followed by a screening at the Melbourne International Film Festival in August 2023, and then its international debut at the South by Southwest Film Festival on March 9th, 2024. It received its Australian theatrical premiere on July 18th, 2024. The film won the AACTA Award for Best Indie Film and Best Australian Narrative Feature at the Sydney Film Festival. The reception has been quite divided, with some praising the underlying tension and the disturbing themes of control and gender norms, while others were negative with having little connection or sympathy for the characters. The disjointed second half is an issue with some as well. While there is much to praise with the performances in "Birdeater", it does feel underwhelming as it overstays its welcome. Note this is a region ALL Blu-ray
Video
Umbrella Entertainment presents the film in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio in 1080p AVC MPEG-4. The transfer is quite strong, with emphasis on darkness as many of the key scenes take place at night in the dark. Blacks are crisp and dark hues are well reproduced. Light scenes in the daytime also show up quite well, with excellent depth and detail. There is no information available in the extras or the package as to what type of cameras or lenses were used to shoot the production, but it seems to have been fully in the digital realm. There basically is nothing to fault, with an excellent transfer from start to end. The film's runtime is 115:12.
Audio
English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo There are two lossless audio tracks available, one in 5.1 and the other being a downmixed stereo track. Dialogue is always clear and well balanced, mostly in the center field, while the surrounding channels are used for the music and effects. The eerie music cues by Andreas Dominguez use the 5.1 field very well. The rear channels are more on the subtle side though they are effective as well. Again, nothing to fault with the audio. There are optional English HoH subtitles for the main feature, in a white font. The subtitles are well timed and easy to read, though there was a moment or two that the HoH captions had typos.
Extras
Audio Commentary with Directors Jack Clark and Jim Weir, Actor Mackenzie Fearnley and Editor Ben Anderson This is a group commentary with all members recorded together, as they recall the production and give some interesting trivia of behind the scenes. Discussed are about the theme of the troubled relationships and the anxieties they can cause, the inspirations for the score, the various nods to "Wake in Fright" and the importance of that film, difficulties with obtaining the rights for the opening song, the sudden casting change of the Dylan character when production had already started, about the in-camera effects, the various times that sound effects from the N64 "Banjo Kazooie" video game were used as easter eggs, behind the scenes information, test screening feedback and having to change the ending, the ambiguous ending, and much more. The information is not just technical as there are many laughs to be heard as well throughout. in English Dolby Digital 2.0 without subtitles "Chemistry Test to Final Scene - Louie & Irene in Forest" featurette (5:45) Presented here is a three part featurette focusing on Scene 47 in the film, with Louie and Irene. Shown first is the rehearsal shown in a single over the shoulder shot over Irene and focusing on Louie. This is followed by a remote table read with the main six actors on screen, with Fearnley and Azeez saying their lines. Finally it is the completed scene as seen in the film. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in multiple aspect ratios, in English Dolby Digital 2.0 without subtitles "Chemistry Test to Final Scene - Ketamine Denials" featurette (5:41) Like the previous featurette, this is a three part featurette on Scene 51 with Charlie and Grace. This is followed by a remote table read with the main six actors on screen, with Bannister and Anderson saying their lines. Finally it is the completed scene as seen in the film. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in multiple aspect ratios, in English Dolby Digital 2.0 without subtitles Outtakes (2:16) Presented here are a series of flubs from the shoot. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 1.85:1, in English Dolby Digital 2.0 without subtitles Deleted Scene - Princess Anne (1:38) Here is a single deleted scene featuring Charlie and Grace driving to the buck party location as they discuss about Princess Anne and Princess Diane. It shows that there is a bit of a rift in their relationship, but it's easy to be seen why it was dropped as it felt fairly unnecessary at this point in the film to focus on their relationship. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 1.85:1, in English Dolby Digital 2.0 without subtitles Extended Take – Shots! (5:35) Presented here is an extended single shot take of the character of Dylan handing out tequila shots to everyone, then circling around again for a second round. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 1.85:1, in English Dolby Digital 2.0 without subtitles Extended Take – More Shots! (5:58) If the above was not enough, Dylan brings more tequila again. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 1.85:1, in English Dolby Digital 2.0 without subtitles Trailer (1:47) The effective original Australian trailer with numerous critic quotes is presented here. It has been embedded below, courtesy of Umbrella Entertainment. in 1080p AVC MPEG-4, in 1.85:1, in English Dolby Digital 5.1 without subtitles Other notable clips: An interview with the directors from Film Threat Interviews An interview with the directors from Screen Realm A Q&A clip with the cast and crew at SXSW The restoration trailer for "Wake in Fright" courtesy of Umbrella Entertainment
Packaging
The disc is packaged in a clear keep case with reversible cover art. The only difference is the Australian MA 15+ logos are removed. The packaging mistakenly states region B only, as it is region ALL. It is also available with a limited slipcover and a 20 page booklet exclusively at the Umbrella Web Shop, limited to 500 copies. The slipcover has differing artwork from the inlay. The booklet starts with a directors' statement by Clark and Weir on the film and its themes. This is followed by "The Production" which has production notes, "Casting Birdeater" on the casting process and the actors chosen, "Filming Intimacy" on the filming process, "Visual Style" on the cinematography, a "Producer's Statement" by Stephanie Troost, and "Editor's Statement" by Ben Anderson, and a "Composer's Statement" by Andreas Dominguez.
Overall
"Birdeater" starts well with its tense environment and the characters being gradually developed, but the second half is a real disconnect that falls flat. The Umbrella Entertainment Blu-ray has a stellar presentation with image and sound, and has a good selection of extras as well. Umbrella Web Shop Link
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