The Silence of the Marsh 2020

Thriller

Box Office

$280K

Runtime

92 min

Language

Spanish

Directed by

Marc Vigil

Made by

Netflix

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The Silence of the Marsh Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Silence of the Marsh (2020). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

In a harrowing adventure set 1,000 feet below Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Trail, a group of cavers inadvertently stumbles upon a vast chamber teeming with prehistoric bats. As the bats become disturbed by loud noises, they begin to swarm the area, ultimately becoming known as the ‘vesps.’

In Montclair, N.J., just 20 miles northwest of NYC, Hugh Andrews, along with his wife Kelly, their deaf daughter Ally, their younger son Jude, and Kelly’s mother Lynn, soon become aware of the dangerous vesps through a frantic television broadcast detailing the chaos and death that the epidemic is causing globally. Seeking refuge from the turmoil, Hugh’s best friend Glenn decides to join the family as they set out in two vehicles with Ally’s dog, Otis, on a desperate journey to safety.

While on their way, Ally connects with her crush, Rob, via FaceTime to discuss the escalating crisis. A dangerous encounter at a gas station leads to Glenn shooting an armed man attempting a carjacking. However, the group soon faces an unexpected traffic jam, forcing Glenn and Hugh to navigate off the beaten path. In a moment of panic, Glenn swerves to avoid a stampede of deer, resulting in a catastrophic vehicle crash, which leaves him trapped.

In a tense moment, Hugh must continue without Glenn, who distracts the swarm of vesps by sacrificing himself. With his family inside the vehicle panicking, Hugh is compelled to let Otis go, whose barking attracts more vesps. When Lynn’s coughing draws the attention of a vesp towards them, Hugh quickly throws a tire iron to divert the creature. In a desperate act of survival, he ignites Glenn’s wrecked vehicle to draw the vesps into a fiery trap.

Stranded and unable to use their vehicle due to the noise it makes, the family decides to hike on foot into the forest. They come across a fenced cabin compound, but things take a turn for the worse when the elderly owner is attacked and killed as she tries to shoo them away with a shotgun. The family finds a way through the fence via a drain tunnel, where they face another attack from the vesps, resulting in Kelly being bitten by a rattlesnake.

Inside the cabin, as they tend to Kelly’s wounds, Ally manages to contact Rob again, only to learn that their situation is deteriorating. Lynn expresses concern about Kelly’s infection, prompting Hugh and Ally to risk a journey to a deserted town to gather medical supplies. Along the way, they meet a mysterious man known as ‘The Reverend,’ who offers them a cult-like invitation to join ‘The Hushed.’ They refuse, only to later discover that the Reverend has sinister intentions regarding Ally.

As tensions mount, a little girl appears at the cabin, but soon it becomes apparent that she is connected to The Hushed, revealed through her missing tongue. The girl inadvertently triggers a swarm of vesps when her collection of ringing cellphones attracts the creatures, leading to a chaotic struggle. In the pandemonium, members of The Hushed attempt to abduct Ally.

A climactic battle ensues, resulting in Lynn sacrificing herself to save Ally, drawing the vesps away while Hugh and Kelly fight off the kidnappers and ultimately kill the Reverend in the process. Now, with their resolve hardened, Hugh, Kelly, Ally, and Jude press on northward until they finally reach ‘The Refuge.’ Here, Ally reunites with Rob, and together they begin developing their skills to hunt the vesps, determined to survive in a world turned upside down by chaos and fear.

The Silence of the Marsh Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Silence of the Marsh (2020) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Discovery of the Bats

Cavers exploring an uncharted subterranean system beneath Pennsylvania's Appalachian Trail inadvertently open a vast chamber. This chamber contains countless prehistoric bats that begin to swarm due to loud noises, leading to the development of the deadly creatures known as 'vesps.'

Pennsylvania's Appalachian Trail

The News Breaks

In Montclair, New Jersey, Hugh Andrews and his family learn about the deadly vesps through a television broadcast. This report reveals the urgency of staying quiet and the global chaos emerging from the epidemic, prompting Hugh and his family to consider fleeing the city.

Montclair, N.J.

The Family Decides to Evacuate

Faced with the growing threat of the vesps, Hugh, his wife Kelly, their deaf daughter Ally, their son Jude, and Kelly's mother Lynn, decide to leave Montclair. They are joined by Glenn, Hugh's longtime best friend, and head out in two vehicles to escape the impending danger.

Montclair, N.J.

Road Trip and Electronic Communication

During the drive away from the city, Ally uses her iPad to FaceTime her crush Rob, keeping in touch amidst the chaos. Meanwhile, the family learns to navigate their new reality as they head towards safety, unaware of the danger that lies ahead.

On the road

Gas Station Encounter

While stopping at a gas station, the family faces a life-threatening situation when Glenn is forced to shoot an armed assailant who attempts to carjack their vehicle. This tense moment underscores the desperation of their escape as they navigate both human and creature threats.

Gas Station

Off Road Disaster

A traffic jam pushes Hugh and Glenn to leave the main road and drive off an embankment to avoid a deer stampede. Glenn's vehicle overturns, trapping him inside, and this moment becomes a critical turning point as they must decide their next steps without him.

Off Road, Pennsylvania

Facing the Vesps

Hugh's family becomes frantic as vesps swarm their vehicle, drawn by their noise and panic. In a heroic act, Glenn sacrifices himself by firing his weapon to distract the vesps, allowing Hugh and the family a chance to escape.

Pennsylvania

The Cabin in the Woods

After abandoning their noisy vehicle, the family hikes into a nearby forest. They stumble upon a fenced cabin compound but soon face danger when an elderly owner is killed by the vesps after she tries to confront them with a shotgun.

Forest Cabin

Escape Through the Drain Tunnel

In a bid to escape the fences surrounding the cabin, Hugh and his family crawl through a drain tunnel. However, their efforts are met with more peril as a hissing rattlesnake nearby attracts the relentless vesps, leading to serious injuries.

Drain Tunnel

Using the Wood Chipper

Hugh urgently activates a wood chipper to draw the attacking swarm of vesps away from his family. The strategic decision results in the vesps meeting their demise, allowing the family some reprieve amidst the chaos unfolding around them.

Near the Cabin

Seeking Medical Supplies

Kelly sustains severe injuries and becomes infected, necessitating urgent medical supplies. Hugh and Ally venture into a deserted town, facing more vesps and unforeseen dangers in their desperate quest to save Kelly's life.

Deserted Town

Meeting the Reverend

In their search for supplies, Hugh and Ally encounter a mysterious man named 'The Reverend.' He tries to recruit them into his cult, 'The Hushed,' but the pair firmly refuse. This encounter deepens the narrative of survival in a world turned dark by the epidemic.

Deserted Town

The Cold Survival Strategy

Ally learns through a broadcast that chilling temperatures repel the vesps, prompting discussions about fleeing north where it's colder. This information becomes a critical piece as they plan their next steps to ensure their survival.

The Hushed Attack

The Reverend returns with his followers to confront the family at the cabin. Tensions rise as Hugh refuses again to join their ranks, leading to a confrontation that escalates into violence as they fight to protect their family.

Cabin

Reaching The Refuge

In the aftermath of their harrowing encounters, Hugh and his family finally reach 'The Refuge,' a sanctuary representing hope and safety. Ally reunites with Rob, and they begin to adapt to their new environment, honing their skills to combat the ongoing threat of vesps.

The Refuge

The Silence of the Marsh Characters

Explore all characters from The Silence of the Marsh (2020). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Hugh Andrews

Hugh is a determined father caught in a desperate situation, showcasing his protective instincts for his family. He faces numerous harrowing challenges, balancing his instinct to survive with the emotional toll of loss and sacrifice. Hugh's journey tests his leadership and resolve in the face of overwhelming odds.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family 💪 Determination

Ally Andrews

Ally, the deaf daughter, represents both innocence and resilience as she navigates a chaotic world. Her resourcefulness and adaptation to the crisis highlight her significance as a valued member of the family. Ally's connection with technology and communication emphasizes her unique perspective amidst the turmoil.

👧 Youth 💻 Technology

The Reverend

The Reverend emerges as a menacing figure, embodying the threats posed by extreme ideologies during societal collapse. His manipulative nature and desire to recruit individuals for his cult highlight the dangers of exploitation in dire times. His interactions with Hugh and Ally reveal the dark complexities of survival.

⚔️ Antagonist 🙏 Manipulation

Lynn

Lynn plays a vital role as a grandmother, showcasing maternal instincts and bravery. Her actions throughout the crisis reflect a deep love for her family, often at great personal cost. Lynn's sacrifices underscore themes of devotion and the unbreakable bonds of family amidst chaos.

👵 Family ❤️ Sacrifice

The Silence of the Marsh Settings

Learn where and when The Silence of the Marsh (2020) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Present Day

The film takes place in contemporary times, capturing a world grappling with an unprecedented epidemic. This era is marked by technological reliance, as seen through the use of devices for communication amidst a growing threat. The societal collapse portrayed in the film reflects modern anxieties surrounding safety and survival in a crisis-ridden world.

Location

Montclair, N.J., Cabin Compound, Deserted Town

The story unfolds primarily in Montclair, New Jersey, situated just 20 miles northwest of New York City, providing a backdrop of suburban life turned chaotic. The cabin compound serves as a refuge from the deadly vesps, surrounded by dense forests, which become a dangerous maze for the characters. The deserted town represents the remnants of civilization ravaged by a catastrophic event, echoing themes of isolation and survival.

🏞️ Nature 🏚️ Abandonment

The Silence of the Marsh Themes

Discover the main themes in The Silence of the Marsh (2020). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🦇

Survival

Survival is the central theme, as the characters face immense challenges from both the vesps and the breakdown of societal order. The film explores the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their loved ones, as seen in the sacrifices made by family members. This theme is steeped in tension, showcasing both physical and moral dilemmas faced in life-and-death situations.

🤝

Community

Community plays a pivotal role, highlighting the contrasts between the family unit and external threats represented by 'The Hushed.' The film illustrates the importance of trust and collaboration in perilous circumstances, as characters must navigate alliances and enmity while striving for survival. The relationships forged and tested in the face of danger showcase human resilience.

😨

Fear

Fear permeates the narrative, from the terror of the vesps to the moral choices the characters must confront. The power of fear is depicted through the impacts it has on behavior and decision-making, influencing both personal and collective actions. This theme underscores the psychological strain individuals endure in a hostile environment.