Netflix has really stepped up the horror game over the past few years producing such neo hits as Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of Shirley Jackson’sThe Haunting of Hill Houseand Suzanne Bier’s adaptation of Josh Mallerman’sBird Boxstarring Sandra Bullock. And today we have the trailer and poster for their new possible hitThe Silencestarring Stanley Tucci and Kiernan Shipka. The film comes to us from director John R. Leonetti, who is perhaps best known for helming the originalAnnabelleflick along with the PG-13 teen horror movieWish Uponstarring Joey King, and let’s not let him forget,Mortal Kombat: Annihilationstarring Robin Shou and James Remar.
The Silencebegins when the world is attacked by a flock of terrifying creatures who hunt their human prey by sound, which sounds like, you know, bats to me. Anyhow, when these bat monsters attack the world, 16-year old Ally Andrews (Kiernan Shipka), who lost her hearing at 13, and her family must seek refuge in “a remote haven” and wait it out. But things aren’t going to be so easy for the clan as they soon discover a sinister cult eager to exploit Ally’s heightened senses.
Stanley Tuccisays he took the role because of this.
“I’ve done sci-fi movies like Transformers, but I’ve never done anything quite like this. The Silence is a combination of horror, thriller, and drama. I liked how sparse the writing was; a lot of it is without words, which allows John to do really interesting things visually as a director, and for us actors to communicate in other ways.”
Tucci then goes on to promise that even thoughThe Silenceboasts a supernatural premise, the film ultimately has a grounded quality to the story.
“There’s a believability to how fast the world gets turned upside down. I like the family’s dynamic, and that they’re living this normal, everyday existence when suddenly these horrible circumstances bring them together. They become very different people.”
The Silenceisn’t the first dabble into sci-fi and horror for either Tucci or Shipka. Shipka has starred in genre films such as Alex and David Pastor’sCarrierswith Chris Pine, Piper Perabo, Emily VanCamp, and Christopher Meloni, along with Oz Perkins' phenomenalThe Blackcoat’s Daughterco-starring Emma Roberts, Lucy Boynton, Lauren Holly, and James Remar. Tag to that, the young actress also had a role in Deborah Chow’s horror-ish retelling of V. C. Andrews' horror-ish novelFlowers in the Atticco-starring Heather Graham and Ellen Burstyn. Oh, and a little show you might have heard a thing or two about calledChilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Meanwhile, Tucci, who is best known for his roles inCaptain America: The First AvengerandThe Hunger Gamesfranchise has lent his prestige to a handful of genre films in the past. These movies include George A Romero’sMonkey Shines, Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Alice Sebold’sThe Lovely Bones, and most recently, Stefan Ruzowitzky’s zombie action horror filmPatient Zeroco-starring Matt Smith and Natalie Dormer. Tucci can be seen next in Matthew Vaughn’sKingsman: The Secret Serviceprequel,Kingsman: The Great Gamewhich is set to feature Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Matthew Goode, and Gemma Arterton.
Tucci and Shipka’sThe Silenceco-stars include Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King), John Corbett (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Kate Trotter (It: Chapter Two), and Kyle Breitkopf (the voice of Gekko / Greg onPJ Masks).The Silencewill hitNetflixworldwide on April 10.
