Review: 'The New Mutants' Introduces a New Generation

Don't call them X-Babies...really!

The big-screen adaptation of the X-Men comic book spin-off has been a long time coming! "The New Mutants" were among this past season's leading contenders of blockbuster hits, but the global pandemic hit and director Josh Boone's feature-length film was put on pause. The film did get to stretch its legs in the European markets that had begun to lift restrictions, but unfortunately, that didn't last very long, and instead "The New Mutants" have come home on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital.

Set in the cinematic universe of the "X-Men" franchise, this film stands apart from its predecessors in that it tips the superhero-genre film in a most unexpected way, going full-on gothic horror and placing our aspiring team of heroes right smack in the middle of a nightmarish haunted house from which attempts at escape are futile. Based on the Marvel Comics characters, "The New Mutants" represent the "next generation" of mutant heroes that will graduate into full-fledged members of the X-Men once they learned to hone their unique gifts. The New Mutants will learn to forge their own path, and their adventures will become legendary in their own right.

The film introduces five of the adolescent mutants, who find themselves all under the care of Dr. Cecilia Reyes (Alice Braga), isolated from the world outside, and hidden from prying eyes in a darkly sinister institute. Illyana Rasputin (Anya Taylor-Joy) is a rebellious Russian upstart; Rahne Sinclair (Maisie Williams) is able to transform herself into a werewolf; Sam Guthrie (Charlie Heaton) is unable to control his ability to spontaneously combust; and Roberto Da Costa (Henry Zaga) is just too hot for words. When they are joined by Dani Moonstar (Blu Hunt), they find themselves facing their greatest fears.

Boone, who is clearly familiar with the comic's mythology, chooses one of the greatest arcs from the title's run, bringing the celebrated story to the screen. The new mutants bond while facing a threat that is deeply personal and, if left unchecked, will destroy one of them, and take them all down before they've had a chance to make it out in the world. The film takes a very deliberate turn to scale down the epic sense of it all; by isolating the five main characters, it creates an uninviting and frightening environment. The strategy works, and the actors are perfectly cast, with perhaps the exception of Blu Hunt as Dani – although she'll win you over by the film's end, she doesn't feel as big-screen as the rest of the group..

Fans who are familiar with the books will resonate with Anya Taylor-Joy's interpretation of Illyana, especially when she reveals her true colors, and Maisie Williams is perfectly appealing as Rahne. The relationship between Williams' character and Hunt's Dani is charmingly evolved and serves as the heart of the story. The crew gels beautifully as the danger they are all in manifests itself, and, in true superhero fashion, they step up! "The New Mutants" is very much worth adding to your collection, especially on 4K Ultra HD, and includes bonus content that reveals the origins of the comic book counterparts and the story that inspired the film.

"The New Mutants" is available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital Combo Pack for $24.99.