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Five years after a young girl vanished, a former hunting expert and a determined sheriff join forces to investigate the unsettling disappearance. Haunted by their own pasts, they must confront a long-standing mystery and navigate a deadly pursuit as they attempt to uncover the truth behind the possible abduction and the secrets hidden within the community.

Five years after a young girl vanished, a former hunting expert and a determined sheriff join forces to investigate the unsettling disappearance. Haunted by their own pasts, they must confront a long-standing mystery and navigate a deadly pursuit as they attempt to uncover the truth behind the possible abduction and the secrets hidden within the community.

Does The Silencing have end credit scenes?

No!

The Silencing does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Silencing

Explore the complete cast of The Silencing, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for The Silencing

See how The Silencing is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Silencing stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

67

In its blend of moody visuals and solid performances, The Silencing delivers competent craft but is hindered by uneven narrative momentum. The film’s direction and production design consistently establish an immersive rural atmosphere, while Coster-Waldau and the supporting cast provide credible character work. However, recurrent plot inconsistencies and pacing lulls dilute engagement, leaving several narrative threads underdeveloped. Ultimately, the net effect is a thriller that succeeds in style and performance but falls short of cohesive storytelling appeal.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for The Silencing

80
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of visual craftsmanship, The Silencing demonstrates consistent competence in its direction and cinematography. The film’s restrained color palette and measured shot compositions reinforce its rural thriller ambience. While editing occasionally treads familiar territory, scenic framing and production design effectively evoke the backwoods setting. Overall, the film’s artful elements reliably support its atmospheric intent.

70
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

In terms of character depth, performances anchor the film with varying success. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau delivers a sympathetic lead portrayal, and several supporting roles exhibit genuine emotional resonance. However, occasional lapses in character motivation and implausible decision-making undermine credibility. As a result, the emotional core remains intermittently engaging but does not fully realize its dramatic potential.

50
Echo Score

Story & Flow

In terms of narrative flow, The Silencing struggles with uneven pacing and logic gaps. Plot red herrings and abrupt twists generate intermittent suspense but often feel underexplained, while the procedural framework lacks originality. Although moments of genuine intrigue briefly engage, recurrent inconsistencies disrupt thematic cohesion. Ultimately, the story’s structural flaws limit its overall impact.

75
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

When it comes to sensory experience, the film excels in atmosphere and sound design. A sparse, naturalistic score and moody ambient textures heighten tension, while crisp location sound anchors the rural setting. Visual style features muted hues and deliberate framing to reinforce mood. Collectively, these elements establish a cohesive sensory identity that elevates the film’s thriller elements.

60
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

Regarding rewatch potential, The Silencing offers modest replay value anchored by its atmospheric style and central performance. The evocative setting and intermittent suspense may reward a second viewing for fans of moody thrillers. However, predictable narrative turns and unresolved character arcs reduce long-term appeal. Consequently, the film’s rewatch factor is moderate but limited by its structural shortcomings.

Rotten Tomatoes
review

24%

TOMATOMETER

review

90%

User Score

IMDb

6.3 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

64

%

User Score

Letterboxd

2.8

From 5 fan ratings

Movie Insider

3.47/5

From 32 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate The Silencing Movie Quiz

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The Silencing Quiz: Test your knowledge on the gripping thriller 'The Silencing' and its intricate plot twists.

Who is the main character trying to protect a sanctuary?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Silencing

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Read the complete plot summary of The Silencing, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


The film begins with a haunting image of a deceased individual dressed in vibrant colors, being swept away in the wild white-water rapids. In a separate scene, we encounter a pair of hunters preparing to take down a deer. However, Rayburn Swanson intervenes, seizing their guns and confronting them about their trespassing in a protected sanctuary. The hunters are clearly familiar with Rayburn, and their exchange reveals that he once shared their passion for hunting. “People change,” Rayburn asserts, to which one hunter retorts, “No they don’t.”

Returning home, Rayburn is welcomed by his loyal dog, Thor, while we learn that he has installed surveillance equipment to keep an eye on the sanctuary. We are introduced to Sheriff Alice Gustafson, who picks up her brother, Brooks, from the local tribal police chief, Karl Blackhawk. Brooks appears to have been in a scuffle yet remains reluctant to share the details of what transpired. As Alice drives him home, he confesses to being involved in a fight over a girl—specifically with a man named Sam Moonblood. Brooks expresses unease upon passing a barn, just as Alice receives a call regarding a homicide investigation.

Later, Rayburn takes a group of schoolchildren on a field trip, albeit while slightly inebriated. He proudly explains his role as the manager of a vast 50-square-mile sanctuary, yet one child reminds him of his past as a notable hunter. Rayburn brushes it off, mentioning that he abandoned that lifestyle because of his daughter’s disapproval.

Alice and her team investigate the washed-up body of a young girl, learning through forensic examination that her body likely entered the water a week ago and was dropped there after her death. Disturbingly, they discover a spearhead lodged in a nearby tree, leading them to hypothesize that she may have been hunted for sport.

As Rayburn canvasses the town hanging missing person posters for his daughter, Gwen, he encounters Blackhawk and his wife, Debbie, who is also Rayburn’s ex-spouse. They discuss the impending funeral Blackhawk is organizing for Gwen, and Debbie urges Rayburn to legally presume Gwen’s death so they can issue a death certificate.

Back in her office, Alice inspects the spearhead, discovering the initials “MB” etched into it. Meanwhile, Rayburn stumbles across news coverage of the unidentified girl’s body, compelling him to seek out answers. In a poignant moment between Alice and Brooks, we learn about their tragic childhood filled with trauma, and Brooks’s unease leads him to question Alice about her loyalty should he find himself in grave trouble.

When Rayburn encounters a mysterious figure in a camo suit disrupting his surveillance, he gathers his hunting gear and sets off to confront the intruder. However, he soon finds himself under attack and suffers an injury. Although he evades capture, he discovers a pickup truck belonging to the hunter, marking it with an “x” to identify it later.

As the plot thickens, Alice learns about the spear at a local hunting gear shop, where an expert informs her of its historical significance and connects her to Sam Moonblood. In the woods, Rayburn finds a girl, who introduces herself as Molly, and together, they hide in a bunker to protect themselves from further danger.

Alice’s investigation leads her to Moonblood’s hideout, where she discovers spearheads with the same initials, further linking him to the grisly events. As Alice and Rayburn’s paths continue to cross, tensions escalate when Rayburn ends up confronting the hunter and inadvertently gets shot by Alice, who is trying to protect her brother.

In the climactic showdown, as the truth begins to unravel regarding the dark secrets held by those in the town, Rayburn’s motives for seeking out his daughter are revealed in a tragic twist, culminating in a harrowing confrontation with Dr. Boone, whose hidden past comes to light in the most shocking ways.

The film ultimately culminates in a somber funeral for Gwen, casting a deep shadow of grief and unresolved questions over the characters. As the barn where many dark events transpired is demolished, the mystery of the troubled past continues to haunt the survivors, particularly Rayburn, who stands at a crossroads, confronted with the chilling memories of his choices. The screen fades with Rayburn contemplating pouring out the whiskey that symbolizes the tragic day Gwen disappeared, sealing the narrative with a lingering sense of sorrow and reflection.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Silencing

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Silencing. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


THE SILENCING Official Trailer (2020) Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Thriller Movie HD

The Silencing Trailer #1 (2020)

The Silencing Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


wildlife sanctuaryserial killerdead girlsheriffrevengehuman hunting a humanatlatlhuntingmissing personalcohol abuseindian reservationalcoholicrural settingmissing person posterdead body floating in a riverforensicshuntercat and mousemurderdead bodywoodsbrother sister relationshipspearrifletribal policetruck batterycabin on a lakedrug denknuckle crackingschool tourfur trapperdeadfall trapflint head spearshanding out flyersex wifeghillie suittrail cameraselkblack truckford f150 pickup truckbare chested malebarnheld hostagetied and gaggeddoctordrugged manremoving surveillance cameradeath certificatefuneralwoman in jeopardy

The Silencing Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for The Silencing across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


Мовчання Безшумний Бесшумный Cazador de Silencio The Silencing - Tod in den Wäldern Tod in den Wäldern Sessiz Av Договор молчания Cazador de silencio 沉默 Néma csend Η Νεκρική Σιγή 사일런싱 Caça Mortal ההשתקה O Silencioso 沉歿殺機 დუმილი Milczenie The Silencing: Senza voce Smrtící ticho Nutildymas サイレンシング Amuțire Ušutkavanje खामोश Smrtiace ticho Sinh Tồn Trong Thinh Lặng Затишие

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Other Names for The Silencing

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for The Silencing. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


Мовчання Безшумний Бесшумный Cazador de Silencio The Silencing - Tod in den Wäldern Tod in den Wäldern Sessiz Av Договор молчания Cazador de silencio 沉默 Néma csend Η Νεκρική Σιγή 사일런싱 Caça Mortal ההשתקה O Silencioso 沉歿殺機 დუმილი Milczenie The Silencing: Senza voce Smrtící ticho Nutildymas サイレンシング Amuțire Ušutkavanje खामोश Smrtiace ticho Sinh Tồn Trong Thinh Lặng Затишие

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