'Good Madam' Blu-Ray Review - The Horrific Lingering Trauma Of Subjugation
For in-depth thoughts on Good Madam, please see my colleague Mike Vaughn's review from its original streaming debut here.
Video Quality
The film debuts on Blu-Ray with a 1080p presentation in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio that delivers on all fronts. The movie taps into darkness to ratchet up tension, and the transfer provides deep black levels that do not suffer from crush or other shortcomings. There is no observable damage or digital noise in this transfer. Objects hold up considerably well in the shadows and retain their depth with only the slightest banding at hand. There is a minimal loss in detail when it comes to some of the panning shots in the shadows, but it is not a standout issue throughout.
The movie has a conservative color palette that is faithfully saturated in what is mostly straightforward interiors with flashes of strong lighting. Some colors make an impression, but we are more impressed by the detail and clarity at hand. You can truly appreciate the subtle facets on display, especially in the production design and makeup effects brimming with unique textures. Shudder has treated this video presentation very well on Blu-Ray.
Audio Quality
Good Madam arrives on Blu-Ray with an unsettling Dolby Atmos track in the original mixture of English and Xhosa. Dialogue and various sound effects stay capably balanced throughout the duration. All elements play well with the music where nothing gets overshadowed in the track. Surround channels provide some creepy activity with the interior tones and other bumps in the darkness during any build-up to any creepy development.
The addition of height channels is a major positive as they tastefully expand the soundscape to complement the overall ambiance. The track's low end provides some exquisite texture when the tension is building. The movie digs deep when called upon, and environmental sounds provide a clear atmosphere for the story. The experience suits the requirements of the narrative and will be appreciated by horror fans who pick up this disc. Optional English (Xhosa Dialogue), English (All Dialogue), and English SDH subtitles are provided.
Special Features
Audio Commentary:
Director, cinematographer, co-writer and co-producer Jenna Cato Bass, co-writer and co-producer Babalwa Baartman, and actress and co-writer Chumisa Cosa provide a track that provides some great insights into the production process, the background with the talent, the shooting locations, shooting during the height of the pandemic, and more.
Interviews:
There is an array of interviews provided with the talent on-screen and behind the scenes that allow the creatives to discuss how the project came together, the challenges faced during production, the creation of the music, and much more which is a valuable listen.
Co-Writer / Co-Producer Babalwa Baartman (10:49)
Director / Co-Writer Jenna Cato Bass (9:23)
Actress Chumisa Cosa (8:44)
Co-Writer / Actress Nosipho Mtebe (3:39)
Musicians Kanyisa Mavi and Nasfa Ncanywa (20:05)
Original Trailer (1:40)
Booklet:
A multi-page booklet featuring the essay 'Black Hands, White Ghosts' from film critic Jourdain Searles is provided here. This piece gives a well-rounded analysis of the themes of the film.
Final Thoughts
Good Madam is a very effective representation of the lingering trauma of apartheid and the manifested horror of racism and class disparity. The Cape Town setting brings a lot of history and personality to this claustrophobic story in which a single house holds so much meaning and power over the residents. The performances from both the professional and non-professional actors are excellent, and the direction of Jenna Cato Bass conjures up some effective thrills to accompany the heavy themes. The build-up to terror is gradual, but it lands once all of the pieces are in play. Shudder has released a Blu-Ray featuring a first-rate A/V presentation and a favorable assortment of special features. Recommended
Good Madam is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Shudder and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
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