The Exorcism of Emma Schmidt – The Horror in 2K Blu-ray Edition

Presented as "the most documented exorcism case in history", The Exorcism of Emma Schmidt by David Midell promises a dive into the depths of faith and demonic possession. Set in 1928, the film should transport the viewer to a dark era steeped in superstition, but the staging is unable to recreate the atmosphere of the period. The excessive use of handheld camera and close-ups gives more the idea of a mockumentary than a classic horror film, depriving the story of greater tension and suggestion.

The screenplay focuses on dialogues between religion and medicine, reducing the supernatural element. The result is a slow pace, with few unsettling or memorable moments that aren't already part of the collective imagination. The horror evoked by the title remains more on paper, never exploding on screen.

Difficult to emerge in the genre film landscape

The cast, which includes Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, and a relatively passionate Al Pacino, fails to elevate the material much: more static performances that accentuate the feeling of a staging capable of only partially engaging. Especially for horror veterans who cannot forget the power of works like The Exorcist (1973) and its true sequel The Exorcist III (1990), Midell's film appears increasingly fragile and destined for genre die-hards.

Shot most likely digitally, unspecified resolution for this unique HD edition of the film, image format "Univisium" 2.00:1 (1920 x 1080/24p), AVC/MPEG-4 encoding on a BD-50 dual layer. Muted colors due to evident aesthetic choices, generating a dark and oppressive atmosphere, solid images and retention of colorimetric nuances even in less bright moments with minimal banding. The detail of background elements is not lacking, although the visual frame often appears "suffocated" by excessive close-ups.

Dual DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 channel (16 bit) track, charisma from dialogues and mostly frontal elements, with echoes and some elements for the rear speakers. Aggressive bass and a soundtrack that does not fail to stimulate the narrative. Listening to the original provides additional strength for the direct sound dialogue. The audio compartment as a whole delivers very good performance, far from reference peaks.

Extras include: making of with contributions from cast and crew (11'); 3 focus clips on the film, story, and production totaling about 6 minutes; trailer. Italian subtitles. Includes a booklet with textual insights by Nocturno editore; cardboard slipcover.