Mercy Road

In "Mercy Road," after committing an impulsive, vicious crime while searching for his missing daughter (Susie Porter), a frantic father (Luke Bracey) goes on the run from law enforcement and soon begins receiving chilling calls from an unknown entity claiming to know her whereabouts. As he faithfully follows the caller's increasingly unhinge instructions, he is driven perilously close to the edge of sanity while discovering exactly how far he is willing to go to save his child. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the trailer and upfront previews.

The 1.78:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally using the Arri Alexa Mini LF camera system and sourced from a 2K Digital Intermediate. The picture takes place in the confines of the driver's truck cabin as he drives to avoid the police and drive with instructions from an unknown mobile caller. As such the imagery is constricted to nighttime lighting with key light accents that just provide enough light to make out the imagery. The imagery is extremely dark with dark contrast and poor shadow delineation. Colors are subdued due to the limited lighting. The father's flesh tones are natural given the poor lighting. Resolution is good with a focus on the father's sweaty face, sweat-covered skin pores, and beard. Object texture is obscured. This is an emotionally charged picture. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack is dialogue focused and includes both dialogue by the father in the truck and dialogue emanating from his mobile phone as he speaks and yells at the callers. The background is a constant bass roar of the truck engine. At one point there is an aggressive helicopter effectively flying overhead as well as police sirens. Surround directionality is excellent during these events. A caller's instructive voice is strong and center forward and the father's voice is well integrated spatially. The music score is aggressive with a wide soundstage presence that extends to envelop the soundfield. Atmospherics also are convincingly realistic. Sound effects are strong such as the sounds associated with the moving truck, a crash through a wired fence, a moving high speed train and other environmental effects. This is a haunting holosonic® soundtrack that delivers the sense of mystery and pending uncertainly. (Gary Reber)