If you're anything like many others - you've already learnt to always lower your expectations before watching a Netflix original film (their shows tend to be quite impressive, or so I hear, but their films are usually mediocre at best). This attitude has honestly served me well while watching The Silence, as I've actually found myself quite entertained. While not more than average - it isn't bad and definitely didn't feel like a waste of time. Mostly unimpressive, still fun.
First of all, I'm quite impressed with the latest movement of "sense deprivation" Horror films. Hush put us through the experience of a deaf victim trapped by a stalker; Bird Box (another Netflix original) has told the story of evil entities who can only afflict their victim if seen by them (therefore putting us through the experience of people forced into voluntary blindness of sorts); and now The Silence presents a scenario in which speaking above a whisper might bring upon a terrible fate, through the eyes of a family fluent in sign language (pretty "convenient", but serves the plot). While all these films haven't yet fulfilled the full potential of this genuine idea - all are, in my opinion, equally entertaining and rewarding in their own way.
The Silence begins with another cliché end-of-the-world event, this time in the shape of CreepyPasta-looking deadly creatures who hunt by sound. It's actually less silly than it sounds, but not by far. The plot is very roughly and bluntly divided into three parts, each receiving pretty much the same amount of screen time: exposition (what happened, how and to whom); initial coping and survival (what do we do now?); and the encounter with the actual enemy. It pretty much felt like watching three episodes of a mini-series with at least four, as the ending is pretty disappointing and leaves too many loose ends untied (not just enough to be an intriguing and debatable open ending, just not really an ending in my opinion).
Nothing about The Silence is extraordinary, for better or worse. The story is okay, the acting is okay (aside from K. Shipka who was very impressive as recently-deafened Ally, managing to design her speech to be just a little off, very authentic and convincing!), the cinematography and soundtrack is okay, everything is just okay and just enough to have a good time if you don't expect to have your mind blown or your feet swept.
First of all, I'm quite impressed with the latest movement of "sense deprivation" Horror films. Hush put us through the experience of a deaf victim trapped by a stalker; Bird Box (another Netflix original) has told the story of evil entities who can only afflict their victim if seen by them (therefore putting us through the experience of people forced into voluntary blindness of sorts); and now The Silence presents a scenario in which speaking above a whisper might bring upon a terrible fate, through the eyes of a family fluent in sign language (pretty "convenient", but serves the plot). While all these films haven't yet fulfilled the full potential of this genuine idea - all are, in my opinion, equally entertaining and rewarding in their own way.
The Silence begins with another cliché end-of-the-world event, this time in the shape of CreepyPasta-looking deadly creatures who hunt by sound. It's actually less silly than it sounds, but not by far. The plot is very roughly and bluntly divided into three parts, each receiving pretty much the same amount of screen time: exposition (what happened, how and to whom); initial coping and survival (what do we do now?); and the encounter with the actual enemy. It pretty much felt like watching three episodes of a mini-series with at least four, as the ending is pretty disappointing and leaves too many loose ends untied (not just enough to be an intriguing and debatable open ending, just not really an ending in my opinion).
Nothing about The Silence is extraordinary, for better or worse. The story is okay, the acting is okay (aside from K. Shipka who was very impressive as recently-deafened Ally, managing to design her speech to be just a little off, very authentic and convincing!), the cinematography and soundtrack is okay, everything is just okay and just enough to have a good time if you don't expect to have your mind blown or your feet swept.