Before WandaVision, Elizabeth Olsen Delivered 88 Minutes of Heart-Stopping Terror

Article Summary

Silent House is an underrated independent horror movie filmed in real time.

The film captures a horrifying ambiance through the use of close-up shots and authentic sound design.

Elizabeth Olsen's portrayal of the lead character is outstanding, as she skillfully displays her depth of emotions and effectively carries the film.

Elizabeth Olsen had nightmares while filming the 2011 independent horror film Silent House. According to IndieWire, one of her dreams was incorporated into the film, adding to its disturbing nature. Silent House, which is based on the 2010 Uruguayan film La Casa Muda by director Gustavo Hernández, goes beyond being a gimmick movie. Filmmakers Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, known for their previous work on Open Water, used a continuous shot style inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's Rope. The experiment succeeds as Kentis and Lau demonstrate their understanding of film language and the horror genre. In a time when found footage films were oversaturating the market, the real-time style of Silent House adds depth to the story. Olsen's character, Sarah, endures psychological trauma that is slowly revealed until the finale, creating a chilling experience for the audience. Through skillful filmmaking techniques, Silent House captures and amplifies the feelings of horror, with Olsen delivering a standout performance.

What Is ‘Silent House’ About?

Release Date: January 21, 2011

Directed by: Chris Kentis, Laura Lau

Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Adam Trese, Eric Sheffer Stevens, Julia Taylor Ross, Adam Barnett, Haley Murphy

Rating: R

Runtime: 88 minutes

Tagline: The Silence will kill you.

Laura Lau, the screenwriter of Silent House, drew inspiration from La Casa Muda, a film known for its single-take style and rumored to be based on a true story from the 1940s. However, Lau took her own unique approach to the story. Elizabeth Olsen, in her third film role, portrays Sarah, a young woman assisting her father John (played by Adam Trese) in renovating their Victorian summer home. While Sarah is comfortable around John and her uncle Peter (portrayed by Eric Sheffer Stevens), she becomes withdrawn and reserved when a woman named Sophia (played by Julia Taylor Ross) claims to be her childhood friend and arrives unannounced. Sarah's memory fails her as she fails to recall Sophia, using it as an excuse for her forgetfulness. Once Sophia and Peter leave, Sarah and John continue their tasks of organizing and packing their belongings — the part of moving that everyone dreads. Within minutes, Sarah hears a peculiar sound, causing her concern for her father's safety, particularly when he fails to respond to her calls. She musters the courage to explore the dilapidated house, only to have her worst fears confirmed: strangers have infiltrated their home, gravely injuring John, and now they threaten Sarah, who attempts to escape and hide. This is where the relentless 88 minutes of terror begin.

In a promotional interview with Bloody Disgusting, Lau (joined by Chris Kentis) disclosed the detailed process behind transforming the script of Silent House from paper to screen. "The script only amounted to 55 pages," she elaborated. "We were concerned whether it would time out properly, given that there are no cuts. There is no opportunity to rectify anything during post-production; it must pace flawlessly during filming." To ensure the feasibility of their one-shot aspirations, the duo "performed" the script on location together, mapping out the choreography and timing as they progressed. Once they incorporated the real-time elements that Lau's script couldn't convey, Silent House achieved an ideal runtime.

What Makes ‘Silent House’ So Scary?

Film is a collaborative medium that involves various departments and crew members. Silent House exemplifies this collaboration by utilizing different techniques and departments to create a tense and unsettling atmosphere. The film takes its time to introduce the characters while also maintaining a sense of tension. The camera work places the viewer in close proximity to the main character, creating a feeling of claustrophobia and immersing them in the dangerous experience. Rather than relying heavily on shaky cam and jump scares, the film uses Nathan Larson's score as a dramatic enhancement and incorporates ambient noise to heighten tension. The directors, Kentis and Lau, were conscious of the popularity of the found footage style but aimed to strengthen their story rather than solely relying on the style. They wanted audiences to feel like they were experiencing the events alongside the characters, resulting in a continuous and immersive film. The filming techniques used in Silent House, such as long takes, naturalistic performances, and clever editing, demonstrate a refined approach that Alfred Hitchcock would appreciate.

Elizabeth Olsen Gives a Phenomenal Performance in ‘Silent House’

Image via LD Entertainment

Silence House required its lead actress to possess both technical skill and emotional endurance, leading Chris Kentis and Laura Lau to search for performers with theater training. Elizabeth Olsen, who had studied acting at New York University and trained at the Atlantic Theater Company and the Moscow Art Theatre School, was deemed by the casting directors as the perfect choice. After auditioning other candidates, it became evident that no one came close to Olsen's talent for the emotionally draining role. Despite the challenges of maintaining and repeating a high level of emotional intensity, Olsen's outstanding performance in Silent House showcases her remarkable ability. In the film, Olsen portrays Sarah, a withdrawn woman with immense emotional depth and repressed trauma due to childhood assault. Her portrayal captivates audiences with her raw authenticity and haunting presence, making Silent House a truly memorable experience. Olsen, a lifelong fan of horror movies, took on the role as a personal challenge to navigate the progression of her character in real-time without the aid of editing. The role also pushed Olsen to physically unwind from the intense emotions she portrayed, marking a unique experience in her acting career.

The ending is perhaps the most notable contrast between La Casa Muda and Silent House. By presenting the truth about Sarah's situation as a "twist," there is a risk of falling into the troubling history of horror films exploiting mental health issues for shock value. Silent House had the opportunity to approach this scenario with more careful representation. However, it is important to note that Sarah's condition is portrayed scientifically accurately and the script avoids exploitation. The film brings an undeniable "good for her" element, as her eyes, filled with burst blood vessels, burn with unapologetic vengeful fury, making the film subversive in its own way. Critics were divided on the "twist" and the overall quality of Silent House, reflected in its 42% Rotten Tomatoes score. Current audience rankings are even lower at 30%, highlighting the interesting divide between critics and viewers. Upon reevaluation twelve years later, it becomes apparent that Silent House does not deserve such harsh criticism. This underrated indie film is worth your time and serves as an example of effective horror filmmaking on a small budget. And let's not forget about the addition of Elizabeth Olsen, which adds another layer of intensity to an already nerve-shredding experience. Silent House can be streamed on MAX.

Editor's P/S

Silent House is a heart-stopping horror film that captivates audiences with its real-time filming technique. The film's use of close-up shots and authentic sound design creates a horrifying ambiance that leaves viewers trembling in fear. Elizabeth Olsen delivers an outstanding performance as the lead character, skillfully displaying her depth of emotions and effectively carrying the film.

The film's real-time style adds depth to the story, as the audience experiences the character's fear and desperation in real time. Olsen's character, Sarah, endures psychological trauma that is slowly revealed until the finale, creating a chilling experience for the audience. Through skillful filmmaking techniques, Silent House captures and amplifies the feelings of horror, with Olsen delivering a standout performance. Overall, Silent House is a must-see for fans of horror cinema and a testament to the power of real-time filmmaking.