Sometimes there are movies that just entirely escape your radar. Then you realize a boutique label is giving the film the treatment it arguably deserves and you decide to take the plunge and watch it for the first time. Before I decide to give any thoughts on anything, if you’ve seen Dark Water, then you know what you’re getting yourself into. But if you haven’t and enjoy true crime docu-series, then this will feel eerily familiar to something you’ve seen. Now, here is where it gets creepy, a little too creepy if you ask me. The movie was released in 2002 and the true story I’m referring to happened in 2013, and it’s not just a typical story either. However, if you’re new to this Japanese horror (J-horror) and you’re unaware of what was previously alluded to, all you need to know is that the short story this is based on draws from author Koj Suzuki and directed by Hideo Nakata, two creatives who previously worked together to adapt Suzuki’s work into 1998’s The Ring (Ringu). So prepare yourself for the Arrow Video treatment on the J-horror, Dark Water.
The movie focuses on Yoshimi (Hitomi Kuroki) and her only daughter Ikuko (Rio Kanno) as they find themselves on a new adventure living in this dilapidated apartment complex. However, there is clearly something supernatural lurking in this complex as Yoshimi starts hearing and seeing things that not only cause her to be psychologically questioned, but also put Ikuko’s well-being in jeopardy as Yoshimi seems to be slipping away from reality. Dark Water pushes the boundaries of what audiences can figure out to be real or supernatural, leaving them constantly questioning everything. This, along with an annoying leak in the apartment’s ceiling, truly brings the tensions to the forefront, keeping audiences deeply engaged in the twisted story.
When looking at this 4K UHD transfer of Dark Water, it makes me question what the Blu-ray looked like originally. This isn’t because the transfer looks particularly bad, but it is because the transfer isn’t jaw-dropping either, and isn’t as incredible as Arrow’s transfers usually look. The best way to describe this transfer would be akin to watching a dirty 35 mm print of it. It’s still cleaned up, it just lacks that extra umph one has come to expect with 4K transfers, especially from boutique labels. It does, however, come with Dolby Vision and HDR10, so that is an upgrade from the previous Blu-ray, but it does, unfortunately, seem to lack that extra something that has nearly been expected with Arrow releases.
There are still plenty of reasons, outside of transfer, to upgrade this J-horror classic. There are features galore on this, seven separate features with some of Arrow’s beautiful signature artwork and packaging. Included with all the features is the reversible sleeve that features original and new art by Peter Strain, a collector’s book featuring writing on the film by film historian David Kalat and editor/film writer Michael Gingold. Now, if all of that is not enough to convince you that this upgrade is worth checking out, then there is unfortunately nothing that will. Arrow truly does some of the best work out there, ensuring everything from packaging to included extras make their release the best and definitive version for a collector to own. To reiterate, everything that was said previously, despite the transfer leaving a little more to be desired, the packaging and bonus features are surely to satisfy the fans who want to dive further into Deep Water.
Deep Water Special Features:
- Original lossless 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by David Kalat and Michael Gingold
- 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- Trailers and TV spots
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain
- Original “making-of” documentary
- Archive interviews with actresses Hitomi Kuroki and Asami Mizukawa, and theme song artist Shikao Suga
- Visualizing Horror – interview with cinematographer Junichiro Hayashi
- Family Terrors – interview with author Koji Suzuki
- Ghosts, Rings and Water – interview with director Hideo Nakata
- Optional English subtitles
Available on 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Limited Edition from Arrow Video U.S. March 19th, 2024.
For more information, head to the official Arrow Video Dark Water webpage.
To purchase, head to the MVD Entertainment Group Dark Water webpage.
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Categories: Home Release, Home Video, Recommendation, Reviews
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