The movie follows Julie, an up-and-coming tennis talent, as she navigates the complex emotions surrounding her relationship with her coach, who has suddenly been placed on non-active status after his previous prodigy's tragic suicide.
The opening scene beautifully sets the tone, with Julie practicing against an invisible opponent without a ball-an early metaphor for the invisible, internal battle she's fighting. This visual motif hints at her isolation and inner turmoil, drawing the viewer in with an eerie quietness. As soon as she receives a call informing her that her coach won't be there, you sense that something is off, and that feeling persists throughout the film.
One of the film's greatest strengths is its respect for the audience's intelligence. It gives us the time and silence to process what might have happened and fill in the blanks on our own, rather than spoon-feeding us every detail from A to Z. This approach heightens the tension, which remains loose for most of the film, in sharp contrast to the scenes where Julie comes into contact with her previous coach. Her mobile phone becomes a kind of Trojan horse, introducing dread into even her safest spaces, like her own bedroom. Although her parents create a safe environment and don't push her to open up, every time her phone is visible, it evokes a knot in the viewer's stomach.
The movie skillfully keeps its audience in suspense. It doesn't immediately reveal the details of what transpired between Julie and her coach, but the weight of the mystery is felt in every scene. Julie's refusal to speak about what happened, despite clear signs of trauma, speaks volumes, and the film handles this silence with both tension and sensitivity.
A beautiful arc emerges as the distance between Julie and her old coach grows. We see her smile more, and it's genuinely heartwarming to witness her gradual emotional recovery. It's especially impressive how the lead actress, at such a young age, conveys Julie's internal struggle without needing to spell it out. The nuances in her performance make her journey feel authentic.
As the movie progresses, it becomes clear that Julie Keeps Quiet isn't so much about what happened to her in the past, but rather about Julie slowly rediscovering herself after enduring trauma. This shift in focus is both subtle and powerful, allowing the film to deliver a more profound message about resilience and self-recovery.
