The Silencing (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Lionsgate  
 Release Date: September 29, 2020
Rating:  R
Film:  2.5/5
 
 Plot
 A reformed hunter (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and a sheriff (Annabelle Wallis) are caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse when they set out to track a killer who may have kidnapped the hunter’s daughter five years ago.
 
 My Thoughts
 I’m always in the mood for a good thriller, so when I saw the press release come across my desk I thought, “Why not?” While there are moments when this is entertaining, the story takes one too many twists and stretches logic a bit too far on too many occasions. I really liked Coster-Waldau’s performance but found Wallis’ to be a bit uneven by comparison. Thankfully, the screenplay runs a tight 95 minutes, so it never really drags or wears out its welcome. It does a good job of dropping some clues early on to help connect the dots and while I had my suspicions of who was the killer, I was never 100% sure until just before the big reveal.
 
The presentation is about what you’d expect these days on Blu-ray and digital cameras being used in the production. The image is clean and vibrant and features a lot of detail. The soundtrack is nothing special, but there are some moments where the surround speakers are put to good use.

  
 Video 4.5/5 
 
 Audio 4/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
 Special Features:
 
·        Making The Silencing
·        Creating a Weapon: The Silencing Spear
·        Blu-ray + Digital Copy
 

 
 

 Conclusion
 While not a great thriller by any stretch, this kept me interested throughout and it wasn’t a complete waste of time. I’m not sure this is something many people would revisit though once they know the outcome unlike a film such as Silence of the Lambs, which never grows old.    

 
 Reference Review System:
  
 JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Fixed Screen
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor 
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player 
 System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 JL Audio Fathom F110 Subwoofers x 2 (stacked)
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (stacked)

Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner