Hush (2016)

So today , I decided I was going to explore horror-thrillers as the two genre put together would make a great film. And although this one thrives on minimalism, it was an intriguing pick but trust me I was so frustrated.

Synopsis

Maddie Young (played by Kate Siegel), is a deaf and mute writer who lives in isolation in the woods. Her quiet world is shattered when a masked killer invades her home, toying with her in a sadistic game of cat and mouse. Cut off from any means of communication and unable to hear her attacker, Maddie must rely on her instincts, intelligence and resourcefulness to survive the night.

My Review and Rating

First question that came to mind during the first few minutes of watching this film was “do people actually make a home in the middle of nowhere just because they want to be isolated?” Let's say “yes” people do, the next question was “why then is the house or are the houses not built with bricks instead of fragile woods and glass?”
It was frustrating enough that Maddie was deaf and mute, why put her in a fragile house if she was going to get attacked by a psycho?

Anyway, one of this film’s strongest elements is its use of sound or rather, the lack of it. Mike Flanagan(the director) does great by placing the audience in Maddie’s shoes by manipulating sound design, creating an immersive and unsettling experience. The moments of absolute silence, where we’re forced to see the world as Maddie does, add to the film’s tension and make the stakes feel higher than in a typical home invasion thriller.
Kate delivers a strong performance as Maddie. She’s not really a helpless victim; she’s smart, determined, and adaptive, making every moment of her battle with the intruder gripping to watch. Also, the film doesn’t rely on excessive boring dialogue or unnecessary backstory. Everything unfolds in real time, making it feel raw and immediate although in the end, I was left to question if everything that happened was a mere figment of Maddie’s imagination for her new book.

On the other hand, John Gallagher Jr.’s portrayal of the masked killer is chilling, especially when he revealed his face. Unlike many horror villains who like to remain in the shadows, he enjoys taunting Maddie. This act adds a psychological layer to the terror.

While this film does great in many areas, it does have a few weak points. One, the killer’s motivations are never explored. I know some very terrible humans go about killing people for fun but the lack of motivation on this guy’s character gave him off as a plot device rather than a fully developed character. I know the film is a minimalist type and it’s part of its appeal, but a little more depth to his character could have made the psychological stakes even stronger.

Additionally, there were moments where Maddie’s survival choices felt slightly unrealistic and very upsetting. Don’t get it twisted, she’s incredibly resourceful, but some of her decisions; like not immediately trying to escape when she had a chance, were so frustrating.

All in all, Hush is an intense thriller that excels on atmosphere and smart direction. It’s not about cheap jump scares but about sustained tension and psychological warfare.

If you’re a fan of tightly executed thrillers with a unique protagonist, this one is definitely worth a watch.

Rating: 4/5