In the spring of 2019, 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox) was acquired by Disney. This acquisition brought the X-Men franchise back to Marvel, paving the way for these characters to potentially appear in future MCU films. Since Bryan Singer’s X-Men debuted 21 years ago, Fox produced several sequels. As previously noted in my review of X-Men: Dark Phoenix, the quality of these films has unfortunately declined. Therefore, the release of The New Mutants sparked considerable curiosity: could the filmmakers revitalize this increasingly fatigued franchise?
Dani Moonstar (Blu Hunt) experiences a devastating attack on her home by a powerful entity, resulting in her father’s death. Rendered unconscious, she awakens in what appears to be a hospital. She soon discovers that this is no ordinary medical facility, but a specialized institution for mutants with extraordinary abilities. Here, she encounters a small group of other young mutants, and together they must confront a formidable challenge.
The decision to frame The New Mutants as a horror film is an interesting one, and the final product evokes a blend of A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Breakfast Club. The setting is compelling, and the filmmakers initially succeed in establishing an intriguing and mysterious atmosphere.
However, The New Mutants suffers from a lack of focus. As a horror film, it lacks genuine scares, and as a superhero film, it struggles to generate excitement. Furthermore, the filmmakers seem unsure of the protagonist. While Blu Hunt’s portrayal of Dani Moonstar drives the narrative, and Maisie Williams as Rahne Sinclair appears to be a supporting character, behind-the-scenes footage and end credits suggest that Williams is considered the lead. This raises the question: is this due to Williams’ greater recognition (as Arya in Game of Thrones), or is there another reason for this perceived discrepancy?
The direction and screenplay are underwhelming, making it difficult to become invested in the characters’ fates. The film’s climactic battle feels anticlimactic, and the ending arrives abruptly. The filmmakers clearly intended to create a sequel, but it is highly unlikely that this will materialize.
The Blu-ray edition offers satisfactory quality, with audio and visual presentation meeting the format’s standards. A UHD 4K edition is currently unavailable in Sweden, requiring viewers to import it from England at a significant cost (or await a potential 4K release on Disney+). The Blu-ray includes behind-the-scenes documentaries and numerous deleted scenes, which clearly highlight the challenges faced during the film’s production. However, the documentaries are brief and characterized by excessive praise and self-congratulation, which ultimately becomes tiresome and unappealing.
In conclusion, The New Mutants possesses some positive attributes and an intriguing atmosphere. However, it ultimately falls short, resulting in a disappointing and unremarkable experience. While the potential for something significant was present, the filmmakers’ attempt at a child-friendly horror film proved unsuccessful. A bolder approach, akin to Deadpool, with a higher age rating, might have yielded a more compelling outcome.
