Hiding in Shadows with Silent House: A Movie Review

*here be major spoilers.

Director: Chris Kentis and Laura Lau.

Writers: Gustavo Hernández, and Laura Lau.

Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Adam Trese, Eric Sheffer Stevens, Julia Taylor Ross, and Adam Barnett.

Married couple, Chris Kenis and Laura Lau, return from their thriller Open Water (2004) with another terrifying movie, Silent House. Silent House is a North American remake of Gustavo Hernandez's Uruguayan film La Casa Muda (2010). Both films incorporate long takes into their narrative. Some scenes last for longer than ten minutes. During each take, actress Elizabeth Olsen delivers an astounding peformance as Sarah, a young woman who must confront a tortured past.

That tortured past is going to revealed here along with some of the pseudo-psychological aspects of the film. Sarah experiences memory loss: "I think I have holes up here (pointing to her head)." Her memory loss has been caused by years of repression. Also, her conversation partner is a figment of her imagination, or, more accurately, an example of Dissociative Identity Disorder. You see, Sarah experienced some childhood trauma at the hands of her father, John (Adam Trese). Does this reviewer need to say more?

For further clues of sexual abuse look to the early interactions between John and Sarah. This reviewer simply thought actor Adam Trese was acting innapropriately towards his younger cast mate. Yet, there is something more to those leering sexual looks. Mysterious photos that pop up throughout the house also allude to indiscretions. A tiny room in the basement of a summer house was the final clue that woke this reviewer up to the film's major theme.

From a psychological standpoint, this is a film of incest and repression. The house appears to be a trigger for Sarah. It brings back some haunting memories. Sophia (Julia Taylor Ross), a part of Sarah's psyche, acts as a conduit for the protagonist allowing her to see a horrifying truth. Sophia also allows Sarah to seek revenge, but not directly. Sarah is not aware that she is causing all of the violence on screen. With that aside, repression is simply an ego defence used to keep disturbing memories and anxieties out of the conscious mind. And Sarah's unconscious mind has a lot to hide. Over time and throughout the film, this repression, unbelievably, dissolves without intervention. With the curtains pulled down, Sarah is able to seek catharsis by murdering the man who caused her so much pain. Catharsis and repression are both elements of psychoanalysis.

Olsen's excellent performance is both definite and real. Olsen has only just started her career and already she is emoting believably. The long takes in this film likely immersed this actress more fully into the story. Tears fall in some stressful scenes. Later, she seems bewildered by certain actions. Her emotional range is wide while Silent House requires a certain degree of terror. She pulls off this final element consistently.

And, Silent House consistently drew this film fan into the narrative. Other film elements such as the soundtrack and setting also created for a believably tense atmosphere. The mood is one of tension as Sarah is stalked throughout the home by a mysterious figure. Clues early in the film and in the middle sections will reveal the coming violent storm. The camera techniques and complex choreography kept the visual sphere interesting. Only the repetitiveness of the singular setting and lack of dialogue act as a detriment to the film's success.

However, Silent House is a successful horror feature that deals with some difficult themes. Olsen's performances ratchets up the tension and the long takes help the actors immerse themselves more fully into the story. This film deals with a few psychological concepts that invove repression and trauma. The catharsis comes a little too easily, but Silent House is always inviting viewers down another dark corridor. Horror fans are also invited to spend a dark night with a film that was both experimental in its photography and unsettling.

Overall: 7.5 out of 10 (good script, few characters, disturbing themes, good performances all around).

*releases on DVD/Blu-Ray July 23rd.

A second review of this film at Fangoria (Michael Gingold):

Silent House Reviewed at Fangoria

 |  |  | 

Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA

Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis Email Subscription

Posted in: 2012,dvd artwork,horror movie review,movie review,psychology