Overlord follows a small unit of paratroopers deployed to France with a critical mission: to destroy a German radar tower in a French village, a key objective for the Normandy landings. Led by Boyce (Jovan Adepo) and Ford (Wyatt Russel), the surviving soldiers encounter Chloe (Mathilde Ollivier), a resilient local who helps them infiltrate the village. As time runs out, they uncover a far more sinister threat lurking beneath the tower than they initially anticipated.
Director Julius Avery has crafted a compelling war film with an authentic aesthetic reminiscent of World War II classics like Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan (the films share the same costume designer). The narrative effectively develops the characters, ensuring audience investment as the situation deteriorates. Overlord prioritizes practical effects, enhanced by computer-generated imagery, resulting in a palpable sense of realism. The tangible reactions of the actors to real explosions provide a welcome departure from the often sterile feel of purely digital effects.
Jovan Adepo’s portrayal of Boyce effectively draws the audience into this extraordinary situation. His grounded charisma lends credibility to even the most improbable events, allowing viewers to readily suspend disbelief. The film avoids descending into camp due to the direction and performances, which treat the unfolding events with a sense of realism, even the unsettling revelations of the underground laboratory.
Wyatt Russel embodies Ford as a more conventional, rugged American soldier, prioritizing action over deliberation. While the role may lack significant nuance, it remains effective within the film’s context. Notably, Russel bears a striking resemblance to his father, Kurt Russel, inheriting some of his iconic charm and screen presence.
Mathilde Ollivier’s portrayal of Chloe initially felt somewhat forced, but her performance improves significantly as the story progresses into the third act. Ollivier shares a particularly poignant and emotionally resonant scene with Adepo.
Pilou Asbæk’s portrayal of the villainous Wafner, the film’s central Nazi antagonist, also deserves mention. Asbæk initially presents a relatively human character, but sheds all restraint in the third act. One particularly brutal scene involving a meat hook elicited a visceral reaction, even from a seasoned reviewer.
Areas for potential improvement include the incorporation of somewhat clichéd characters, such as the fish-out-of-water photographer Chase (Iain De Ceastecker), whose primary function seems to be creating complications. His presence on such a critical, clandestine mission remains questionable, as his skillset seems ill-suited to the task. Similarly, the archetypal tough guy Tibbet (John Magaro) feels derivative of similar characters in other war films, lacking originality.
Overlord could have benefited from an earlier and more substantial introduction of the zombie elements. The film delays the reveal that it transcends the typical war film genre.
The UHD edition, however, is a standout. The visual presentation is exceptional, boasting razor-sharp blacks and excellent contrast. The opening sequence features sparks with an almost three-dimensional quality, and the HDR implementation during Chloe’s use of the flamethrower offers a significant improvement over the standard Blu-ray’s SDR lighting. This ranks among the best UHD editions tested on the editorial staff’s reference TV. The immersive Dolby Atmos sound (also included in the Blu-ray edition) complements the visuals, enhancing the overall cinematic experience. Experiencing Overlord with such high-quality audio and video elevates the viewing experience considerably.
A 51-minute documentary detailing the film’s production is included, providing an unusually thorough and detailed look at the filmmaking process, a welcome departure from typical promotional featurettes.
In conclusion, Overlord is highly recommended. While the film exhibits some familiar tropes and minor shortcomings, it remains a well-executed and engaging genre hybrid. The exceptional UHD presentation further enhances its appeal.
