Silent House (2011)

Directed by: Chris Kentis, Laura Lau | 88 minutes | drama, horror, thriller | Actors: Elizabeth Olsen, Adam Trese, Eric Sheffer Stevens, Julia Taylor Ross, Adam Barnett, Haley Murphy

To be able to stand out in the overcrowded haunted house genre, you have to come from a good…house. ‘Silent House’ leans on a gimmick. The film was largely shot in one take, so that the camera is continuously on the skin of the lead actress and you literally follow her. With every step she takes. Originally conceived (which is also better or rather disappointing, because ‘Silent House’ is a remake of ‘La casa muda’, a horror film from Uruguay that used the same trick), but can a gimmick take a film to a higher level?

‘Silent House’ revolves around Sarah (Elizabeth Olsen. Yep, the younger sister of those famous twins). This secretive young woman helps her father fix up a summer house so that the property can be put up for sale later. So far, so good. Then Sarah suddenly hears a knock in nearby rooms. Those sounds are not caused by herself or by her father, but who does?

The trump card of ‘Silent House’ is the fact that it was recorded in one take. You follow the main character continuously (literally) closely and often you see nothing when Sarah is suddenly attacked. You see her facial expression and you have to deal with it. That does increase tension. Many things happen off-screen, so you can see the fear in Sarah’s eyes, but not her attacker(s). Olsen’s fragile appearance makes her character extra vulnerable. Sarah is not your standard Hollywood heroine, but an ordinary girl who does not know what to do with the situation. The acting is fine and Olsen proves she can carry a movie with ease.

‘Silent House’ really has to have the build-up of tension and that one gimmick. Creaking floors, squeaky doors and the heroine’s increased heart rate should create tension. You don’t have to see this film for bloody passages. Directing duo Chris Kentis and Laura Lau have created a strong, suspenseful horror thriller that is really nail-biting exciting at times. The slow build-up and the mysterious, creepy atmosphere ensure that the bombastic finale cuts in extra hard. Cool movie!