The Silencing (2020)

Directed by: Robin Pront | 93 minutes | action, crime | Actors: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Annabelle Wallis, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Charlotte Lindsay Marron, Zahn McClarnon, Shaun Smyth, Lisa Cromarty, Leland Assinewai, Kayla Dumont, Josh Cruddas, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, Jason Jazrawy, Brielle Robillard, Melanie Scrofano

Director Robin Pront made his debut in 2015 with ‘D’Ardennes’. In this crime film, two brothers end up in crime again and experience a bizarre trip that led them to the Ardennes. What made this film so special and powerful was its unpredictable course. The gloomy atmosphere, the heavy accents of the main characters and the desolate landscape created a creepy atmosphere. Pront’s debut also stood out abroad, which is why he was allowed to work in Canada to shoot ‘The Silencing’ with an English-speaking cast.

‘The Silencing’ revolves around a hunter (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) who leads a secluded life in nature. When local sheriff Alice (Annabelle Wallis) asks them for help, the duo sets out to track down a serial killer. The hunter is personally involved in this manhunt, because he believes that this killer is responsible for the kidnapping of his daughter. A deadly cat-and-mouse game ensues.

Pront has again managed to make the environment play an important role in his film. In ‘D’Ardennes’ it was the Ardennes forests and in ‘The Silencing’ it was the Canadian wilderness. The atmosphere is threatening and that gives the film a charged atmosphere. Coster-Waldau and Wallis are very strong in their roles. The acting is of a high level and makes you bond with the characters. You want to know how they are doing. Unfortunately, the scattering of compliments ends here.

The plot is insanely poorly developed. The script is illogical, muddled and downright unbelievable. That is a shame, because in terms of atmosphere and acting ‘The Silencing’ is very enjoyable. However, the weak script does not seem to take the viewer seriously and that stings. What remains is a grotesque thriller with a strong cast and setting, but full of bad plot twists and character developments. Something you wouldn’t expect from the man who gave us the oppressive ‘D’Ardennes’.