The Silencing || An Atmospheric Crime Thriller

Is it just me or someone else thinks that Hero Fiennes Tiffin doesn't fit to play a villain? Anyway, his cast, although subtle, in this film made me watch it. I wouldn't have if I knew he would be playing ‘bad boy’ Brooks. They honestly can't make me stop loving him anyway.

Sentiment aside though, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I hit the ‘watch-now’ button. The title gave me vague thriller vibes, but I figured, why not go for something a little less predictable? What I found was an unexpectedly atmospheric crime thriller that walks the line between moody tension and classic revenge narrative, with a few surprises along the way.

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Synopsis

Directed by Robin Pront, The Silencing centers around Rayburn Swanson (played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), a former hunter who now runs a wildlife sanctuary. Rayburn’s life has been torn apart by the disappearance of his daughter five years earlier and he’s still haunted by her unsolved case. His sanctuary is the only thing that gives him purpose anymore, until a chilling discovery turns his life upside down again.

When a local girl’s body is found in the woods, evidence points to a serial killer targeting teenage girls. Rayburn becomes obsessed with the idea that this killer may be the same person responsible for his daughter’s disappearance. With the unsolicited help of the town’s newly appointed sheriff, Alice (Annabelle Wallis), Rayburn embarks on a dangerous hunt for the murderer. As the tension builds, dark secrets unravel and the line between hunter and hunted becomes more and more blurred.

My Review and Rating

First things first, this film does a fantastic job at establishing a grim and eerie atmosphere. The cinematography is on point, with the dense woods and cold, foggy landscape serving as the perfect backdrop for this tense, slow-burn thriller.

You really feel the isolation of Rayburn’s world, which is filled with guilt, regret and the cold cruelty of nature. The film manages to keep you on edge, even when not much is happening and I give credit to Robin Pront for building that kind of palpable tension throughout.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, most known for his role as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones, is solid here I must say. His portrayal of a broken man with nothing left to lose is convincing. Rayburn’s pain and obsession are portrayed with just the right balance of intensity and restraint. Annabelle Wallis, as Sheriff Alice, holds her own, though the character’s backstory feels a bit underdeveloped, and I wish I got more depth from her and her brother, Brooks whoms she tries to protect so much.

Now, while I appreciated the slow build-up and the brooding tone, I have to admit the film gets a little too slow in parts. It’s one of those thrillers that likes to take its time, but sometimes it takes a little too much time.

And let’s talk about the plot twists for a second, because, yes, there are a few. Without giving too much away, I will say that some of the reveals felt a bit... predictable. You can see certain developments coming from a mile away, and that can take some of the suspense out of it. In particular, the "who’s-the-real-killer" mystery feels a bit formulaic if you've watched enough crime dramas. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it did take some of the punch out of the finale for me.

That said, this film is a solid, well acted thriller with a great atmosphere. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to the crime genre, it’s good at keeping you engaged, especially with its strong performances and tension filled setting. The film does have its flaws, mainly pacing issues but it’s still worth a watch if you’re in the mood for a dark, suspenseful story.

I'll leave it with a 3.5/5 rating.