Terrifyingly Real: The Unforgettable Single-Take Horror of Soft & Quiet
Experience the horror in one continuous shot with Soft & Quiet Witness the nightmarish events unfold as a family falls prey to their own fears Will they make it out alive? Watch to find out
Blumhouse's latest offering, Soft & Quiet, made its debut at SXSW in March 2022 before hitting U.S. theaters in November of the same year. While the production company is known for horror classics and standout films, they have also produced a deeply unsettling single-take movie. The film follows a haunting narrative of cruelty and sorrow, leaving viewers with much to ponder. Where was Soft & Quiet filmed? What unfolds throughout the movie, and how does its chilling conclusion leave a lasting impression?
What Is Soft & Quiet About?
Soft & Quiet, a Blumhouse horror movie released in 2022, did not receive as much attention as some of its counterparts. The film revolves around the members of a white supremacist group, known as the Daughters for Aryan Unity, which includes women with diverse backgrounds such as Marjorie (Eleanore Pienta) who works in retail, Kim (Dana Millican) who owns a grocery store, Leslie (Olivia Luccardi) who was previously incarcerated, and Emily (Stefanie Estes) who teaches kindergarten and sets up their first meeting. The movie is exceptionally unsettling and disturbing, particularly when Kim displays her racism towards two Asian women, Lily (Cissy Ly) and Anne (Melissa Paulo), who try to purchase wine at her store, resulting in a violent altercation. The remainder of the film takes place at Anne and Lily's house, where the other four women hold them captive and inflict harm upon them.
The subject matter of Soft & Quiet is undeniably dark and unsettling, making it a difficult watch despite the film's intention to raise awareness of violence, racism, and prejudice. While the four women are portrayed as the villains, the movie as a whole can be polarizing and uncomfortable, as noted by director Beth de Araújo in her interview with IndieWire. She acknowledges that the film is meant to evoke a reaction, whether it be to sit in discomfort and reflect or to disengage and run away. Regardless of one's response, de Araújo is grateful for any engagement with the heavy subject matter.
Soft & Quiet stands out among other single take movies due to its impressive cinematography. The continuous shot adds to the tension and danger felt throughout the film, making Lily and Anne's pain and fear even more palpable. The revelation about Emily's brother's crime and her disbelief only serves to intensify the cruelty of the group's actions, further emphasizing the movie's underlying theme.
How Was Soft & Quiet Filmed?
Soft & Quiet was filmed in the picturesque town of Inverness, California, with various locations used for filming. Inverness Elementary School served as the backdrop for the school scenes, while Inverness Store was the location for Kim's grocery store scenes. For the group meeting, the production team chose St. Columba's Episcopal Church & Retreat House. The central location for the story is Anne and Lily's house, which is situated at 12765 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Soft & Quiet's setting in a seemingly ordinary town emphasizes the chilling idea that the events portrayed in the horror movie could happen anywhere. The importance of the setting is evident in how it adds to the overall fear factor of the movie.
How Does Soft & Quiet End?
The conclusion of Soft & Quiet is unsettling, to say the least. Leslie appears to suffocate Anne with a bag, while Lily tragically passes away after consuming peanuts, to which she was highly allergic. Leslie declares that if it appears as though the sisters were attacked, they will easily escape without suspicion, as it will seem like someone else was responsible. The four women from this dreadful group carry a bag containing Anne and Lily's remains and toss them into a nearby lake.
In the final scene of Soft & Quiet, Anne is revealed to be alive and struggling to escape from the bag. Despite her eventual escape, the traumatic experience is sure to haunt her for the rest of her life. While Soft & Quiet may not be a fan favorite among Blumhouse horror films due to its difficult subject matter, it effectively conveys a story of injustice and anger. As director Beth de Araújo noted, the film is thought-provoking and leaves a lasting impact.
The tragic demise of Lily leaves one wishing that both she and Anne could have survived. However, the decision to have one of them perish drives home the message of the devastating impact of prejudice. Elizabeth Olsen's Silent House may have felt like it could have been told in a different manner, but Soft & Quiet proves to be an effective single-take horror film. From the moment audiences meet Anne and Lily at the grocery store, they embark on a journey that exposes the horrifying reality of their situation.
