Suspense Unveiled: Mysterious Alien Horror Film Dares to Break the Silence - Director Reveals All

Summary

The horror film No One Will Save You opts for very little dialogue, which amplifies the character of Brynn and creates dramatic tension.

The decision for Brynn to have limited dialogue in the movie was made gradually during the writing process, intensifying her longing for a sense of belonging and her feelings of not being deserving. Kaitlyn Dever's remarkable talent for expressing emotions through her eyes renders dialogue superfluous, and her exceptional performance in No One Will Save You is captivating even without uttering a single word.

The director of the new horror film, No One Will Save You, claims that the minimal dialogue in the movie was a deliberate choice. Directed by Brian Duffield, this unconventional film combines the genres of sci-fi and horror, following Brynn (played by Kaitlyn Dever), a mildly agoraphobic woman who decides to live alone in a secluded house and is unexpectedly confronted by an unwelcome extraterrestrial visitor. No One Will Save You is now streaming on Hulu.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Duffield explains why the film lacks dialogue, with Brynn having very few spoken lines. According to Duffield, this decision was made gradually during the writing process when he realized that Brynn had not spoken yet in the movie. Embracing this choice, he believed that her silence "amplified her character." Read Duffield's full quote below.

I was aware that there was a scene in which Kaitlyn attempts to seek help at a police station. I wrote that particular scene, as well as subsequent scenes where Brynn experiences a breakdown due to the lack of assistance she receives. Then it dawned on me that she had not spoken in the movie thus far. And as expected, she hadn't.

This aspect of her character revolves around her desire for a sense of community, while simultaneously feeling undeserving of it. It seemed like this element emphasized and showcased her character effectively. Throughout most of the movie, there isn't a compelling reason for her to speak since she is determined to remain silent. She won't simply utter, "There's an alien in my house!" Additionally, with someone like Kaitlyn Dever, she has a remarkable ability to convey emotions through her eyes, rendering spoken words unnecessary.

“We talked endlessly [with 20th Century Stuidos] about many, many things on the movie, but that was always one where everyone was kind of like, 'Yeah, it's fun!'"

No One Will Save You’s Silence Is Uniquely Fascinating

No One Will Save You is not the first horror film to explore the use of silence as a means of building suspense. A well-known example of this concept is seen in the modern horror masterpiece A Quiet Place, where making even the slightest noise can result in a swift and deadly attack from the hyper-sensitive monsters that inhabit the dystopian world of the movie. Similar to this, No One Will Save You showcases a comparable approach, as the protagonist, Brynn, strives with great effort to avoid making any sound. Additionally, this film may draw inspiration from an unrealized project by the renowned director Steven Spielberg.

Brynn stands out as a horror protagonist due to her innate reclusiveness. Unlike characters in films like Hush, where their silence is a result of being deaf-mute, Brynn's quietness comes from within. It is not just the sci-fi world that renders her mute, but also the real world. In fact, her silence is born from the horrifying feeling of not belonging to a community.

Duffield is absolutely right in acknowledging that Dever's message in her role doesn't require words. Ever since her remarkable performance in Short Term 12, Dever has demonstrated that viewers can grasp the pain and complexity of her characters by simply gazing into her deeply profound and tragic eyes. She has consistently showcased this talent in various roles, including a coal-miner-turned-drug-addict in Dopesick and a rape victim in Unbelievable. No One Will Save You cleverly capitalizes on these strengths, allowing Dever to shine even without uttering a single word.

Source: EW