‘They’re listening.’
The Silence is a 2019 German horror film directed by John R. Leonetti (Wish Upon; Wolves at the Door; Annabelle) from a screenplay by Carey Van Dyke and Shane Van Dyke (The Sacred; Chernobyl Diaries), based on a novel by Tim Lebbon (My Haunted House; Pay the Ghost). The Constantin Film production stars Stanley Tucci, Kiernan Shipka, Miranda Otto, John Corbett, Kate Trotter and Kyle Breitkopf.
Plot:
When the world is under attack from terrifying creatures who hunt their human prey by sound, sixteen year old Ally Andrews (Kiernan Shipka), who lost her hearing aged thirteen, and her family seek refuge in a remote haven. However, they discover a sinister cult who are eager to exploit Ally’s heightened senses…
Release:
The Silence has been available via Netflix since April 10, 2019.
Reviews:
“It’s frustrating having to put The Silence up against A Quiet Place, but the former does a lot of the same things only worse. When you have an example of superb filmmaking to learn from, how is it possible to strike out so badly? The Silence isn’t just bad, it’s boring, which is a film’s ultimate sin.” Brad Miska, Bloody Disgusting
“The problem is, The Silence’s own core competency comes far too long in the game…and we’re talking roughly 40 minutes into a 90-minute movie. And those remaining 50 minutes are so granularly focused as to not feel like a film at all. It feels more episodic than anything. In fact, most of The Silencefeels episodic – right down to its bafflingly TV opening credits style intro…” Alec Bojalad, Den of Geek!
“Both earlier movies (A Quiet Place and Birdbox) play with the idea of this chaotic world demonstrating how the family would adapt to the silence/blindness, and each deliver their own approach to the apocalypse. Any level of debate or struggle is used, rather than killing some monsters while ringing a bell.” Larissa Couto, Influx magazine
“In scant moments, such as the sudden camera swoops or the hilariously on-the-nose music cues intended to warn that danger is near, it looks like The Silence may be able to muster a sense of humour about itself. But dignity gets in the way every time this film starts to loosen up and let itself in on the joke. Netflix doesn’t want the aura of stink that emanates from the bottom-feeders at The Asylum, and tamps down the hokier elements…” Charles Bramesco, The Guardian
“While not necessarily better, The Silence is certainly more ruthless that its predecessors and as a result manages to surprise in its own spectacular ways. If you’ve seen A Quiet Place and Bird Box, then you’ll likely enjoy this new take on the emerging format. And if you haven’t? Well, then you’re in for one hell of a not-so-silent ride.” Alison Foreman, Mashable
“The Silence is relatively predictable but entertaining in its 90-minute running time, and it also lacks the scare-factor, very much like Bird Box, where the plot device is propped up for general entertainment rather than specifically for horror audiences. The Silence instead relies on a family-feel narrative with the two parents (played by Stanley Tucci and Miranda Otto) giving the group a naturalistic feeling.” Daniel Hart, Ready Steady Cut!
“The Silence is actor-driven more than character or story driven. So if one of your favorite actors aren’t in this movie, I could imagine you losing interest easily. Add on a rather weak villain and the deaths only up the ante but so much and you get a movie which would likely flop in theaters yet will probably be a Netflix hit.” Amari Sali, Wherever I Look
“It is baffling on many levels. For starters, the world has only been endangered by “the Vesps” as they are called (cool name, I’ll admit) for a few days, yet somehow all sorts of methods of how to live with them have already been adopted. There’s rumor of a place called “The Refuge” up north. I dunno, I feel like this movie plays out way too quickly. And yet, by some miracle, barely anything happens. It’s a perfect equation for frustration.” Jordan Hoffman, TV Guide
Cast and characters:
- Stanley Tucci … TBC – Patient Zero; The Lovely Bones; Monkey Shines
- Kiernan Shipka … Ally Andrews – Chilling Adventures of Sabrina; The Blackcoat’s Daughter; Flowers in the Attic 2014; Carriers
- Miranda Otto … TBC – Chilling Adventures of Sabrina; AnnabelIe: Creation, I, Frankenstein
- John Corbett … TBC
- Sarah Abbott … Hushed Girl
- Kate Corbett … Hushed Mother
- Kyle Breitkopf … Jude Andrews
- Dempsey Bryk … Rob
- Billy MacLellan … The Reverend
- Hannah Gordon … Subway Passenger
- Callum Shoniker … Child in Car
- Taylor Love … Subway Passenger
- Cesare Scarpone … Subway passenger
- Helen Stevens … Woman in Car
- Tammie Sutherland … Cave Reporter
- Ryan Turner … Subway Passenger
- Chris Whitby … Man with Gun
- Alex Hatz … Max
- Gino Raimondo … Subway Passenger #6
Filming locations:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
