The Silencing Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grief-stricken dad yells at trees, a sheriff yells at her brother, and a doctor yells at…girls, all because someone won’t stop yelling in the woods.

🍿 The Silencing: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Rayburn and the Sanctuary

Rayburn Swanson, a reformed hunter haunted by his daughter’s disappearance, lives a solitary life managing a wildlife sanctuary. He encounters poachers, revealing his changed perspective on hunting. Meanwhile, Sheriff Alice Gustafson grapples with a potential homicide investigation and tries to help her troubled brother, Brooks.

The Discovery of a Body and the Re-emergence of a Hunter

The discovery of a young girl’s body with a peculiar scar leads to suspicions of a hunter preying on victims. Rayburn, struggling with his past and the unresolved mystery of his daughter, becomes entangled in the investigation. Alice seeks his help, hoping to prove herself and find Gwen.

Chasing a Ghost and Protecting a Victim

Rayburn spots a camouflaged figure in his sanctuary and realizes the hunter is targeting humans. He encounters Molly, a young girl being hunted, and tries to protect her. Alice investigates leads, focusing on her brother and a local craftsman who sells hunting gear, drawing closer to the truth.

Betrayal and Unraveling the Truth

Alice identifies her brother as the hunter and shoots Rayburn to protect him. Rayburn narrowly escapes and reveals Alice’s actions. As the investigation deepens, the focus shifts away from Brooks, leading Rayburn and Alice down a path to uncover a shocking truth about the real killer.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Rayburn (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau): A reformed hunter haunted by his daughter’s disappearance, who now protects a wildlife sanctuary while battling his alcoholism and seeking redemption.
• Alice Gustafson (Annabelle Wallis): The town’s sheriff, struggling to prove herself while investigating a series of murders and dealing with her troubled brother.
• Dr. Boone (Shaun Smyth): A seemingly normal doctor who is revealed to be the calculated serial killer hunting young women in the area, driven by the loss of his daughter.
• Brooks (Hero Fiennes Tiffin): Alice’s troubled brother, who is a suspect in the murders and is caught up in the investigation due to his history and connection to the seedy underbelly of the town.
• Blackhawk (Zahn McClarnon): The tribal police chief and Rayburn’s ex-wife’s husband, who helps with the investigation and balances loyalty to his community with his duty as an officer.
• Molly (Charlotte Lindsay Marron): A young, mute girl who becomes a victim of the serial killer, and is saved by Rayburn.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rayburn: “I covered this trap years ago, realizing I didn’t like killing animals. I’ll make an exception for you.” – Rayburn says this to the killer right before leaving him to die in the animal trap.
• Rayburn: “People change.” – Rayburn’s remark to a couple of hunters he catches in his sanctuary.
• Hunter: “No they don’t.” – One of the hunters’ replies to Rayburn about people changing.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $100,746
• Worldwide Gross: $170,653

💥 The Silencing Reviews

Personal Review

I found “The Silencing” to be a mixed bag. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau delivers a compelling performance as the haunted Rayburn, and the wilderness setting really adds to the atmosphere. However, the plot felt a bit derivative, reminding me of other similar thrillers. The sheriff’s actions were questionable, and the killer’s reveal was underwhelming. While it kept me engaged, it didn’t leave a lasting impression.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of crime thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about redemption and revenge”
  • “Those who appreciate movies set in remote, atmospheric locations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Disturbing themes (serial killer)”
  • “Alcohol abuse”
  • “Brief strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Though serious and working on heavy themes, “The Silencing” lacks suspense and the atmosphere that could’ve been, as plot largely functions on familiar tropes and leads to a rather clichéd final act. Nikolaj’s offering of Rayburn felt like the most fulfilled character.
• IMDb: “Sheriff steps in a freaking bear-trap. Instead of having her leg amputated and/or spending several weeks in a hospital she is back on her feet walking half an hour later! The doctor of all people [is the killer]. It is just a cheap plot device and lazy writing.
• IMDb: “Awful film . The main actor’s x wife whose 15 yo daughter has been missing for 5 yrs and she looks all of 20. Every time he goes to the forest his truck won’t start . And the sheriff. She’s cute but can’t act . She sides on one cheek in her truck. The forest and the river were beautiful.

Audience Reactions

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau gives a solid, believable performance as the flawed and grieving Rayburn.: Many viewers praised the tense atmosphere and suspenseful moments, although some found the plot predictable.

The wilderness setting and cinematography enhance the movie’s suspenseful atmosphere.: Viewers appreciated the scenic backdrop, even though it could not compensate for some of the movie’s shortcomings.

Overall Consensus: “The Silencing” is a decent thriller with strong performances and a captivating setting, but it suffers from a predictable plot and questionable character choices.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The spear-launching tool used in the movie is called an “Atlatl.” Spear-throwers appear very early in human history and have survived in use in traditional societies until the present day.”
• “Filming took place in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, providing the backdrop for the wildlife sanctuary and small-town setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Silencing?

The Silencing is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for rental or purchase options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Silencing, you might like these similar films:

• Wind River (2017): Similar setting in a wilderness and deals with the hunt for a killer and the themes of loss and justice.
• Prisoners (2013): Features a desperate search for a missing child and explores the dark lengths a parent will go to find them.
• The Frozen Ground (2013): Based on a true story, the movie follows the hunt for a serial killer in Alaska, sharing the crime and thriller elements.

🛒 The Silencing Related Products

• Atlatl Spear Thrower – Primitive Hunting Tool: Experience the ancient art of spear throwing with a handcrafted Atlatl, perfect for collectors, primitive skills enthusiasts, and historical reenactors. Made with durable materials for launching spears with enhanced power and accuracy. A must-have for fans of Rayburn’s hunting skills.
• Survival First Aid Kit – Emergency Supplies for Wilderness Adventures: Equip yourself with a comprehensive first aid kit designed for wilderness survival. Includes essential supplies for treating injuries, navigating emergencies, and staying safe in remote areas. Ideal for fans of the film who enjoy outdoor adventures. Features a compact, durable design for easy portability.
• Ghillie Suit – Camouflage Clothing for Hunting and Wildlife Observation: Blend seamlessly into natural environments with a high-quality ghillie suit. Provides exceptional camouflage for hunting, wildlife observation, and tactical scenarios. Made with lightweight, breathable materials for comfortable wear. A perfect tribute to the movie’s mysterious hunter.
• The Silencing (Blu-ray): Experience the suspense and action of “The Silencing” in stunning high definition on Blu-ray. Enjoy crisp visuals, immersive audio, and bonus features that bring the movie to life. A must-have for collectors and fans of the film. Includes behind-the-scenes content and interviews with the cast and crew.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Bottom Of The World” – performed by GravelRoad

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

They brutally murdered the daughter of a local hunter but instantly REGRETTED it when he avenged

Want a quick rundown of all the action in “The Silencing”? This recap gives you the whole story in just 10 minutes – perfect if you’re short on time or just want to refresh your memory. It’s crazy how intense this movie gets!

the silencing but its only brooks (hero fiennes tiffin)

Obsessed with Hero Fiennes Tiffin in “The Silencing”? This short video is a fun edit focusing entirely on his character, Brooks. It’s a great way to appreciate his performance, I think he did a phenomenal job!

✨ Rate