Directed by:
James WanScreenplay:
Leigh WhannellCinematography:
John R. LeonettiComposer:
Charlie ClouserCast:
Ryan Kwanten, Amber Valletta, Donnie Wahlberg, Bob Gunton, Laura Regan, Judith Roberts, Keir Gilchrist, Michael Fairman, Enn Reitel, Dmitry Chepovetsky (more)VOD (3)
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Mary Shaw (Judith Roberts) was a popular entertainer until she was accused of murdering a young boy. After she was captured by the vengeful townspeople her tongue was cut out before she was mercilessly killed and committed to the earth in the company of her collection of vaudeville dolls. In the years that followed, the town seemed to be haunted by the puppets, and, after mysteriously disappearing from Mary's grave, the menacing figurines would sometimes be glimpsed by the damned in the dead of night - their appearance consistently foreshadowing the death of whoever laid eyes upon them. Newlyweds Jamie (Ryan Kwanten) and Lisa Ashen (Laura Regan) both grew up in Ravens Fair. Now, following Lisa's inexplicable death, Jamie has returned to the pair's hometown in order to say his final goodbyes and find out the truth about his wife's enigmatic demise. After being reunited with his ailing father (Bob Gunton) and the aging man's pretty young bride (Amber Valletta), the grieving widower will finally uncover the shocking truth behind the curse that has plagued Ravens Fair for as far back as he can remember. (Universal Pictures UK)
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Reviews (6)
Within the genre, this film is definitely above average, combining both the often-used motif best developed in the A Nightmare on Elm Street series, the motif of a hatred reaching beyond the grave, as well as the motif of a hero consumed by the world of darkness, leading what seems to be an equal battle, as seen in Angel Heart. Dead Silence has, above all, an excellent atmosphere created by the music, the artistic execution of the puppets, and decent directing, slightly spoiled by the clumsier performance of the main actor and certain worn-out genre clichés. Overall impression: 70%.
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Wan and Whannell prove that horror is not only about extreme violence, and so they made an old-world horror film with all the trimmings. The straightforwardness of the plot verges on the primitive (though Whannell still maintains a standard point on paper), but Wan's sound-image compositions work wonders that made my humble horror self overflow with bliss. However, it’s too bad that they cast either themselves or their friends for the roles... Ryan Kwanten is incredibly wooden.
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Almost 4 stars. If it wasn't for the bland script and the not-so-interesting Ryan Kwanten, it would have been great. James Wan decided to try his hand at a classically futuristic atmosphere and succeeded brilliantly as a director. Suspenseful, atmospheric but unfortunately a bit too simple. Definitely interesting though.
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James Wan is one neat filmmaker. After his feature-film debut which kicked off an endless tidal wave of R-rated horrors filmed like music videos, he decided to take a break and now he’s back with another horror. Surprisingly, this time he chose to build the atmosphere like in the old days. And he does well at it too. Dead Silence is inventive, a quality production, gorgeous music and everything a good horror should have. But still it is some way short of perfection. Mainly because Wan as a director failed to learn a lesson from his last movie and again cast actors who lack the slightest hint of charisma or acting talent. But in Dead Silence this matters much more than in Saw, where it was still just about bearable. On the other hand, Wan learned a lesson as a screenwriter. Again he didn’t refrain from giving us a moral, but at least it’s not so superficial as Saw’s moral. It true that it isn’t the most shocking of revelations, but in the context of the entire movie it makes sort of sense. And that’s worth something too.
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Dead Silence definitely doesn't tarnish the reputation of both creators, but rather is further proof that they are good horror creators and have a sense for individual scenes, both for those meant to scare or chill you and for those that provide some mild relief. Even though the characters are somewhat clichéd, in this case, it doesn't matter at all, as they fit into the whole.
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