Typically, I try to structure my reviews conversationally, like I’m talking to my friend and telling them what I liked about the movie. I try to describe the experience of watching that film and what to expect, so readers can take away if it’s something they’d like to check out.
Haunters of the Silence though is experimental, and truly difficult to compare to other recent horror. Trying to describe the experience of watching it is like describing a painting or an art exhibit; you can’t really recreate the feeling of just being in it. It’s dreamlike in a way that harkens to David Lynch, Jacob’s Ladder, or the Silent Hill video game series. It’s a film that takes you on a dark, creeping, and visceral experience, and if you’re willing to let the mood and visuals draw you in, it’s unlike much else.
The film follows an unnamed man, grieving the loss of his wife. As he goes to sleep alone in his house, he’s swept into a nightmare that unfolds and twists throughout the rest of the film. There is almost no dialogue for the entire runtime, something that really serves the overall mood. Despite the horror, the emptiness of the main character’s grief echoes in the emptiness of his home, his routine, and ultimately, the film’s ending.
Haunters of the Silence is a visual feast. Every shot, from tiny spiders spinning webbing to the shadowy, distant figure of the Hat Man, is impressive. Great care is taken to build the environment and the ultimate horror through the shots, and it mostly works. On a budget of only around $2,000 USD, it’s honestly magnificent what the husband-wife creative team of Tatu Heikkinen and Veleda Thorsson-Heikkinen was able to create. The best way to watch this film is to let it wash over you and just surrender to it. If you’re willing to completely turn your brain off and just vibe, it’s a really worthwhile watch.
If I had any criticisms, I would say not every shot works, but I don’t think it takes away from the overall experience. This is a slow-moving film that won’t work for everyone, but I think that’s okay. Not many movies like this get made anymore, and that’s a damn shame. This one is on Tubi though, and I can’t recommend it enough. I’ll definitely encourage you to watch it late at night or early in the morning, if you can handle it.
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