Soft & Quiet Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A group of women have a meeting and then things go really, really wrong in a way that feels both shocking and deeply unsettling, all captured in what feels like one long, anxiety-inducing breath.

🍿 Soft & Quiet: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Meeting of Minds

Emily, an elementary school teacher, organizes a meeting for a group she calls “Daughters for Aryan Unity.” The women, including ex-convict Leslie, store owner Kim, and Marjorie, gather to share their grievances against minorities and discuss their views on cultural issues. The tension is palpable from the start, with their hateful rhetoric quickly escalating.

Confrontation at the Store

The meeting is cut short, and the women decide to continue at Kim’s store. There, they encounter Anne and Lily, two Asian-American sisters who are unaware the store is closed. A tense argument ensues, fueled by racial prejudice. Lily confronts them about their hateful views, and the situation turns violent when Marjorie initiates a physical altercation. This encounter sets off a chain of events with horrifying consequences.

The Invasion

Driven by anger and a desire for revenge, the women decide to vandalize Anne’s home. Joined by Emily’s husband, Craig, they break into the house, causing damage and stealing Anne’s passport. However, Anne and Lily return unexpectedly, confronting the intruders. The situation quickly spirals out of control as they bind and gag the sisters, unsure of what to do next.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Emily (Stefanie Estes): A kindergarten teacher and fervent white supremacist who organizes a meeting that spirals into a violent hate crime.
• Leslie (Olivia Luccardi): An ex-convict and zealous member of Emily’s group, escalating the group’s actions with her violent tendencies.
• Kim (Dana Millican): A small grocer owner and member of Emily’s group, whose initial enthusiasm wanes as the situation intensifies.
• Anne (Melissa Paulo): One of the Asian-American sisters targeted by Emily’s group, bearing the brunt of their escalating hatred and violence.
• Lily (Cissy Ly): Anne’s sister, whose peanut allergy tragically leads to her death at the hands of the group.
• Craig (Jon Beavers): Emily’s husband, who is initially supportive but becomes increasingly disturbed by his wife’s actions and tries to distance himself.
• Marjorie (Eleanore Pienta): A disgruntled retail worker and member of Emily’s group, who participates in the escalating violence.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Emily: “They’re taking over. They’re taking everything that’s ours.” – Said during the initial meeting, encapsulating the group’s shared resentment and fear of demographic change.
• Leslie: “We have to show them that we’re not going to be pushed around.” – Expressing the group’s desire to assert dominance and resist perceived threats to their status.
• Craig: “This is going too far, Emily.” – Craig’s attempt to rein in the escalating situation, highlighting his moral conflict.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $2,976

💥 Soft & Quiet Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely unprepared for how ‘Soft & Quiet’ made me feel. The continuous shot made me feel like I was right there, witnessing everything unfold. There are moments I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. The scene in the store was incredibly tense, and the ending left me breathless. It’s a disturbing film, but one that I think is worth experiencing. I still can’t shake the pie image.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in social thrillers”
  • “Fans of films that explore dark and disturbing themes”
  • “Those who appreciate innovative filmmaking techniques like single-take cinematography”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Racial slurs and hate speech”
  • “Sexual assault”
  • “Torture”
  • “Disturbing and upsetting content”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Soft & Quiet is a masterclass in tension, ratcheting up the unease with each passing minute. The single-take style amplifies the claustrophobia, making the viewer feel trapped alongside the characters, no matter how reprehensible their actions. A difficult but important film.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Beth de Araújo’s film is an unsettling exploration of the banality of evil. While the characters are deeply flawed, the film avoids easy caricature, presenting them as disturbingly ordinary individuals capable of extraordinary cruelty. The single-shot technique is very effective.
• Variety: “The film’s commitment to real-time storytelling creates an immersive, almost unbearable viewing experience. ‘Soft & Quiet’ isn’t just a horror film; it’s a chilling reflection of the dark undercurrents simmering beneath the surface of seemingly normal society.

Audience Reactions

The single-take filming was incredibly immersive and added to the tension.: Viewers were impressed by the film’s ability to create a realistic and unsettling atmosphere.

The movie is terrifying and hard to watch, but it shows how hatred manifests in real life.: The portrayal of extremism was the most frightening aspect of the movie.

Overall Consensus: ‘Soft & Quiet’ is a disturbing and unsettling film that explores the dark underbelly of society. Its single-take style and realistic portrayal of extremism make it a challenging but ultimately rewarding viewing experience for those who can stomach its difficult themes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot in real-time, using only four takes to achieve the continuous, uninterrupted feel.”
• “Beth de Araújo, the writer and director, aimed to create a realistic portrayal of how quickly hateful rhetoric can escalate into violence.”
• “The use of a single-take approach was intended to heighten the tension and immerse the audience in the increasingly uncomfortable situation.”

🖥️ How to Watch Soft & Quiet?

Currently, ‘Soft & Quiet’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Soft & Quiet, you might like these similar films:

• American History X (1998): Explores the roots and consequences of hate, particularly white supremacist ideologies, in a raw and unflinching manner.
• Compliance (2012): Examines how easily individuals can be manipulated into committing unethical and harmful acts under perceived authority, mirroring the group dynamics in Soft & Quiet.
• Good Time (2017): Shares the tension-building continuous-time narrative style, creating an immersive and unsettling viewing experience.

🛒 Soft & Quiet Related Products

• The Plot: Against White Supremacy: Examines the history of white supremacist movements, including tactics and motivations. A great way to educate yourself further on the topics explored in Soft & Quiet.
• Racial Reckoning: America’s Trauma: Explores the impact of racism and the social/economical impact on race in America, perfect for getting a different perspective.
• American History X [Blu-ray]: A classic exploration of racism and extremism, starring Edward Furlong and Edward Norton. This is a must watch if you enjoyed Soft & Quiet.
• Vintage 1940s Anti-Propaganda Poster: Features the classic propaganda against extremist ideologies and cult followings. A collector’s item with historical significance. A reminder of the dangers of hate.

🎧 Soundtrack

Soft & Quiet features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Opening” – performed by Music for Film
• “Closing” – performed by Music for Film

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

When a plot twist happens within 10 minutes

Ever wonder what makes ‘Soft & Quiet’ so shocking? This video breaks down the insane plot twists and unique filming style, and honestly, it made me appreciate the movie even more despite its flaws!

EXTREMELY Disturbing Thrillers You May Have Missed | Movie List | Spookyastronauts

If you found ‘Soft & Quiet’ disturbing, you HAVE to check out this list! It’s packed with similar thrillers that might just leave you speechless; I found a few new favorites!

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