Silent Screams

Many of the low reviews that surround this movie are purely based on the fact that they disregard the low budget of merely $154,000. They judge this movie as though it is another hundred-million movie when this could not be farther from the truth. This movie is sub-par in regards to the special effects, but other than that this movie is quite great. It is not scary in the sense that it gives you a fright, but I found myself increasingly creeped out as the story progressed.

The story was quite elaborate and interesting and it required for the watcher to pay close attention as not much background is given. The acting is unconventional, yet phenomenal, as you feel as though you are there yourself with the casual lines, taunts and delivery.

The script is very natural as well, as it gives you the impression that you are watching a "feature-length YouTube vlog" as someone else put it. If you are looking for an interesting story with talented actors, then this is the movie for you. Personally, I'd have given it a 7.5/10, but I gave it a 10 to help balance the unforgivably low total rating.

The low rating was not a good sign, and if other recent low-budget viewings were anything to go by was worried that it would be one of those that bad or worse films. But there was the concept, while a very weird one it was intriguing. So watched it anyway as part of one of my film and television quests (often completest).

'Silent Screams' unfortunately is one of those that is that bad and very close to being even worse (just misses by a hair). Have seen worse films as part of my recent modest at best/low budget film quest definitely, but that is not saying much, 'Silent Screams' is very nearly down there. It is also one of those films that doesn't intrigue at all, is more on the side of being weird that it leaves the viewer confused, and one that absolutely nothing was gotten out of and near-irredeemable.

One small point in its favour is some atmosphere in the lighting, that is too far and between and is wasted by most of it being drab or too dark, a too compact setting, haphazard editing and some photography that induces nausea.

Direction is at best pedestrian and this does affect the pacing, which is sluggish throughout, and the direction of the actors. None of the cast look comfortable and the character interaction is very bland and sometimes random.

At no point is there any tension or suspense, and even any horror. Everything is easily foreseeable long before it happens and the pacing is just too dull and the atmosphere too anaemic. The script never sounds natural and the cheese factor is high and the interest factor low as can be.

The story is ruined by being paper thin, useless padding and a very dull pace, not to mention the lack of coherence as a result of the over-weirdness. The characters are never interesting, even with few attempts to, and frustrate with the way they behave.

In conclusion, in no way terrifying or intriguing and is instead dull and strange. 1/10 Bethany Cox