Hush (2016)

Genre

Horror | Thriller

Director

Mike Flanagan

Country

USA

Cast

Kate Siegel, John Gallagher Jr., Michael Trucco, Samantha Sloyan, Emilia Graves

Storyline

A deaf writer (Kate Siegel) who retreated into the woods to live a solitary life must fight for her life in silence when a masked killer  (John Gallagher Jr.) appears at her window.

Opinion

A couple years ago Jennifer Kent surprised everyone with the outstanding "The Babadook", proving that horror films still have a future. Earlier this year it happened again with "10 Cloverfield Lane". But what are the chances of that happening twice in the same year? Not good considering how bad horror flicks usually are. They are not just plain dumb, but not scary as all.

Well, 2016 gotta be the lucky year because Mike Flanagan did it again with "Hush", this tense, gripping and clever horror film.

Yes, I just used clever and horror film in the same sentence, and the credits go to Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan -- aka Mike Flanagan and Kate Siegel -- for writing the script to this film. Even though the story is basically identical to many films of the past, it is well executed and well paced. At no point it feels dragged, and although the ending is quite predictable, the film keeps you guessing until the end.

Something some viewers complained about is the fact that it's never explained why the "villain" does all the things he does. Personally, it didn't bother me a lot, but I have to admit that any kind of reason behind those acts would have made a more complex character.

That being said, not only Flanagan is able to make you care about the main character, a deaf writer, since the very beginning, but he is also able to make you feel what the character is going through.

Then of course there's Kate Siegel doing a great job in the leading role. With a character that has a lot to do, but nothing to say, she is very believable and she is quite impressive. Lastly there's John Gallagher Jr., who gives an impressive performance as the cold-blooded killer who is after Siegel's character.