MOVIE REVIEW – In The Silencing, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau plays Rayburn Swanson, a former hunter haunted by his daughter’s disappearance. The Danish actor, known for his role as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones, brings his trademark brooding intensity to the character, making him a perfect match for Joel, the protagonist of the hit video game The Last of Us. With a gripping story that blends crime, thriller, and mystery elements, The Silencing is a must-see for fans of atmospheric and suspenseful cinema.

The Silencing is a decently exhilarating thriller movie, even if the twists in the story aren’t always well-earned or well thought out. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s solid performance as a grieving father grounds the movie in realism, despite its dialogue that could skew more towards a campy horror movie. Directed by Robin Pront from a script by Micah Ranum, the film manages to walk a thin line between drama and horror, a genre that has become quite popular in recent times.

A brooding father

The Silencing follows Rayburn Swanson (played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), a father who has been living in isolation for five years since the disappearance of his daughter. He spends his time drinking and running a wildlife sanctuary in the deep woods of Minnesota. When a young girl’s body is found in a nearby river, it becomes clear that someone is hunting girls for sport. Rayburn becomes determined to solve the mystery and find the killer, as he suspects that the same person may have been involved in his daughter’s disappearance.

At the same time, Sheriff Alice Gustafson (played by Annabelle Wallis) is struggling with the pressure of her new job and the community’s lack of faith in her abilities. She’s also dealing with her troubled younger brother Brooks (played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin). When Rayburn discovers that a girl is being hunted on his sanctuary, he teams up with Sheriff Gustafson to find the killer and stop them from causing any more harm.

As the two begin their search for the killer, they find themselves facing various challenges, including the harsh winter weather and a mysterious, unpredictable adversary who always seems to be one step ahead. With time running out and more lives at stake, Rayburn and Sheriff Gustafson must use all their skills and resources to bring the killer to justice and uncover the truth behind Rayburn’s daughter’s disappearance.

A bit too familiar, but there are still surprises

In “The Silencing,” viewers are taken on a thrilling ride through the investigation of a serial killer who has been hunting young girls for sport in the Minnesota forest. While the basic premise and story of the movie may seem familiar to fans of crime procedurals, there are enough twists and turns to keep audiences guessing until the very end.

Although the identity of the killer is eventually revealed, the film manages to throw in a few surprises along the way, including a red herring that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. While the killer’s motivation may not be fully fleshed out, the movie still manages to provide a satisfying conclusion that won’t disappoint fans of the genre.

Though The Silencing gets in a few exciting twists and turns, the movie’s real strength is in the tension of the hunting scenes, with Coster-Waldau’s Rayburn needing to use his own skills to face off with the masked killer. It’s in these moments when The Silencing skews more toward horror, and it’s difficult not to wonder whether the movie would’ve been better served digging deeper into that aspect than trying to play it as a straight drama with action elements.

The Silencing seems focused on being a character drama, with Coster-Waldau as the grieving father. For his part, the actor gives a compelling turn in the role, but the part as written doesn’t offer much beyond what’s been seen plenty of times before. Still, The Silencing is Coster-Waldau’s to carry, and he does it well. He’s further backed up by a fine enough Wallis, though she’s given much less to work with – and Fiennes Tiffin even less. It’s a solid cast that unfortunately isn’t well supported by the film’s script.

A passable thriller

As a suspenseful action-thriller, The Silencing delivers some entertaining moments and engaging performances from its lead actors, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Annabelle Wallis. The cinematography is also noteworthy, with beautiful shots of the Minnesota wilderness that help to create a moody and atmospheric tone.

However, the film ultimately falls short in its attempts to fully explore its various genres, resulting in a somewhat uneven narrative that lacks the depth and nuance necessary to truly stand out. The red herring subplot, while effective at building tension, ultimately feels like a cheap way to delay the inevitable reveal of the killer’s identity.

Additionally, the resolution of the mystery is a bit predictable and the motivation of the killer feels underdeveloped, leaving the audience with a sense of dissatisfaction.

Despite these flaws, The Silencing still manages to provide an enjoyable viewing experience for fans of the action-thriller genre, with enough thrills and suspense to keep them engaged throughout the film’s 90-minute runtime. While it may not be the most memorable entry in the genre, it’s certainly worth a watch for those looking for a quick and entertaining distraction.

In the end, The Silencing is a solid movie that offers a decent dose of action and suspense, but ultimately falls short of its potential to be a true standout in its genre. Nonetheless, it’s a worthwhile choice for anyone in the mood for a thrilling, if somewhat forgettable, cinematic experience.

-BadSector-