🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: John R. Leonetti
- Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Drama
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 30min
- IMDb rating: 5.4/10 (55k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 17%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A family decides the best way to survive killer bat-things is to constantly make noise and attract the bat-things, but also they sign, so they’re super quiet… sometimes.
🍿 The Silence: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Discovery and Initial Chaos
The film begins with a team of cave explorers inadvertently releasing a swarm of prehistoric, bat-like creatures called ‘vesps’ from a subterranean cave system. These creatures are blind and hunt solely by sound, quickly wreaking havoc and causing widespread panic as they decimate the human population.

The Andrews Family’s Escape
The Andrews family, consisting of Hugh, Kelly, their deaf daughter Ally, their son Jude, and Kelly’s mother Lynn, decide to flee their home in New Jersey to escape the vesps. Ally’s deafness and proficiency in sign language become crucial for the family’s survival. They are joined by Hugh’s friend, Glenn, but the journey quickly becomes perilous.

Loss and Hard Choices
During their escape, Glenn sacrifices himself to save the family from a swarm of vesps. The family is also forced to abandon their dog, Otis, due to his barking attracting the creatures. They eventually find refuge in a fenced cabin compound, but encounter more dangers, including an attack that leads to Kelly being injured.

Encounter with ‘The Hushed’
Seeking medical supplies, Hugh and Ally come across a sinister cult known as ‘The Hushed,’ led by a man called ‘The Reverend’. This cult has cut out their tongues to avoid attracting the vesps and seek to forcibly recruit fertile women for procreation. The Andrews family refuses to join them, leading to a violent confrontation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Ally Andrews (Kiernan Shipka): A deaf teenager whose heightened senses become crucial for her family’s survival in a world overrun by sound-sensitive creatures.
- Hugh Andrews (Stanley Tucci): The resourceful father who leads his family on a perilous journey to find safety from the deadly vesps.
- Kelly Andrews (Miranda Otto): The mother who supports her family and faces the dangers of the new world alongside her husband.
- Jude Andrews (Kyle Breitkopf): The younger brother who must adapt to a silent world to survive.
- Lynn (Kate Trotter): The grandmother who sacrifices herself to save her family from a dangerous cult.
- Glenn (John Corbett): A loyal friend to Hugh who initially helps the family escape, ultimately sacrificing himself for their safety.
- The Reverend (Billy MacLellan): The sinister leader of a cult who seeks to exploit Ally for their own twisted purposes.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Hugh: “We have to be quiet.” – Hugh is constantly reminding the family of the grave danger they are in, and the dire necessity to remain silent.
- Ally: “We live in silence, we all do.” – Ally explains that due to her deafness, they have an advantage, as they are already accustomed to communicating silently.
- The Reverend: “She is fertile.” – The Reverend’s disturbing justification for wanting to take Ally into his cult, highlighting their depraved intentions.
- Lynn: “(Screaming)” – Lynn sacrifices herself to save Ally and the family, drawing the creatures away with a loud scream.
💰Box Office
- Budget: Unknown
- Domestic Gross: Unknown
- Worldwide Gross: $2,325,977
💥 The Silence Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this movie knowing it had some bad reviews, but I still wanted to see what it was all about. Honestly, it wasn’t *terrible*. The beginning was pretty suspenseful and I was genuinely scared for the family. But as it went on, things got kinda silly. Like, why didn’t they just leave the wood chipper running?! And the cult thing came out of nowhere and felt super forced. The acting was decent, especially Stanley Tucci, but overall, it’s a one-time watch for me. I don’t think I’ll be revisiting this one anytime soon. It’s fun to watch with friends so you can question it together.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of post-apocalyptic thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in survival stories”
- “Those who appreciate creature features”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and gore”
- “Intense scenes”
- “Thematic elements involving a cult”
- “Animal harm (dog abandoned)”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “While the premise had potential, the execution falls flat. The film struggles with pacing and character development. It offers a few moments of tension, but the overall experience is undermined by plot holes and questionable character decisions. It feels like a rushed attempt to capitalize on the success of similar films, lacking the originality and depth to stand on its own.
- Slash Film: “One Of The Most Ambitious Sci-Fi Movies Of The Decade Finds An Audience On Prime Video. Though not originally well received, there is increasing awareness that this is not simply a B-movie.
Audience Reactions
The use of sign language was a unique and interesting element.: Many viewers appreciated the tense atmosphere and the performances of the cast.
Many were upset or found the ending cheesy: Lots of people have problems with all the plot holes that make little sense.
Overall Consensus: While some viewers found The Silence to be a decent thriller with a unique premise, most critics and audiences agree that it suffers from plot holes, questionable character decisions, and a lack of originality, ultimately making it a forgettable entry in the genre.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Tim Lebbon.”
- “Despite similarities to ‘A Quiet Place,’ ‘The Silence’ was in development and production before the release of ‘A Quiet Place’.”
- “Kiernan Shipka learned some sign language for her role, but she is not actually deaf.”
- “Filming took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Silence?
The Silence is available to stream on Netflix. You may also find purchase or rental options through platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Silence, you might like these similar films:
- A Quiet Place (2018): Both films center on families struggling to survive in a world where making noise attracts deadly creatures.
- Bird Box (2018): Similar post-apocalyptic scenario where survival depends on avoiding sensory input (sight in this case) to evade deadly entities.
- The Descent (2005): Features terrifying creatures dwelling in caves that hunt based on sound and movement.
- The Road (2009): Portrays a bleak post-apocalyptic world and the desperate struggle of a father and son to survive, sharing the theme of familial protection and resilience.
🛒 The Silence Related Products
- A Quiet Place (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital): Experience another thrilling story about silence and survival. Great sound, picture, and story.
- Survival Gear First Aid Kit: It is a very complete and comprehensive first aid kit, so you will be prepared for any situation. It has all the necessary components you need to ensure your safety in a survival situation.
- Kiernan Shipka Signed Autographed Photo: A rare find, featuring Kiernan Shipka’s signature. It comes with certificate of authenticity.
- The Silence by Tim Lebbon: Delve deeper into the world with the novel that inspired the movie, providing more backstory.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Silence features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “The Silence Main Theme” – performed by Marco Beltrami
- “Whispers in the Dark” – performed by Soundtrack Collection
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While both movies share the premise of surviving in a world where sound attracts deadly creatures, The Silence is based on a 2015 novel by Tim Lebbon. The book was published before the release of A Quiet Place, making it unlikely to be a copycat.
The creatures in The Silence are called ‘vesps.’ They are blind, prehistoric, bat-like creatures that hunt using their acute sense of hearing.
Ally’s deafness and knowledge of sign language are crucial for the family’s survival. She is more attuned to visual cues and can communicate silently, giving them an advantage over others.
The family is forced to abandon their dog, Otis, early in the film because his barking attracts the vesps, putting the entire family in danger.
🔥 Bonus Content
How to Beat the ROIDED BATS in “THE SILENCE”
Ever wondered how those terrifying Vesps in ‘The Silence’ could actually be beaten? This video breaks down their weaknesses and gives you a fighting chance in that world – I actually found the tips pretty useful, even if the thought of those creatures still freaks me out!
THE SILENCE (2019) – A Terrible Netflix Horror Movie
Thinking of watching ‘The Silence’? This reviewer isn’t holding back – prepare for some serious shade! It’s a funny and insightful take on the movie’s shortcomings, and honestly, it made me see the film in a whole new (and hilarious) light.
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