The Silencing: Man Seldom Escapes Their True Nature
“Man seldom escape their true nature”
The beginning minutes of The Silencing emerge the viewer into an isolated world where the savage nature of man becomes the central theme of a thematically dark and provocative thriller by director Robin Pront.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldaue as Rayburn Swanson
The film, starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones, Headhunters) and Annabelle Wallis (Annabelle, Peaky Blinders), offers the viewer a poignant thriller that teeters between a heart-pounding tale of mystery and vengeance in a bleak and unforgiving setting.
Rayburn Swanson (Coster-Waldau), a reformed hunter currently operating as a warden of a wildlife sanctuary, spends his days drinking himself into oblivion in a futile attempt at escaping the memory of his daughter’s disappearance. Nearly five years have passed since that horrific event, but Rayburn will be forced to relive those memories as a young woman is discovered murdered in the nearby woods. Rayburn and the inexperience Sheriff Alice Gustafson quickly find themselves pulled into a compelling mystery that will test their resolve as both will be forced to cross paths as they deal with an escalating series of murders involving young women being hunted like animals by a sadistic murderer using a modus operandi of a most savage design.
Annabelle Wallis as Sheriff Alice Gustafson
As a reviewer, it’s hard not to compare The Silencing to relatively recent movies/series such as True Detective and Dark Was the Night in terms of the cinematography and thematic approach that the film takes to storytelling. There is an understated focus on decay and isolation throughout the film that is driven home by the nature of the characters, especially in the case of Rayburn. His world slowly crumbles around him, despite his efforts in isolating himself in the natural world.
Even Sheriff Gustafson is unable to escape the horrors of the past in which her brother Brooks, portrayed by Hero Fiennes Tiffin, suffered indescribable abuse by the hands of foster parents, that still leave the Sheriff feeling guilt over and dealing with the consequences years after. There is quite a bit left unsaid in the plot of The Silencing, which is arguably one of the strengths of the film as past events leave you pondering long after the surprising climax.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Brooks Gustafson
Both the cinematography and music score are the true heroes of the movies as both help to elevate what could be considered an above-average story to something truly brilliant. The beautifully composed score by Brooke and Will Blair draws you into the isolated world of The Silencing while offering moments of both heart-pounding and heart-wrenching soundscape that will leave you at the edge of your seat long after the credits roll.
The Silencing is an example of a thriller that succeeds because of the talent of its lead actors and the brilliance of cinematography and score. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau does a wonderful job of portraying the world-weary and gruff Rayburn that truly makes the audience feel a pang of sympathy for his character’s plight. This is a film that shouldn’t be missed, despite its slightly rushed climax.
The Silencing is Available in Theaters, On-demand, and On-digital August 14th, 2020.
Read more within the Museum of Macabre Media on Monsters, Madness and Magic: Blood Quantum Is A Gory Thrill-Ride While Staying Cognizant of its Heraldry