Silent House (2012)

If you asked someone at a party to name their favourite Uruguayan film, they would probably smile politely and leave you on your lonesome. However, this upcoming horror film, co-directed by Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, is based on an original Uruguayan film called La Casa Muda (2010), which itself was based on real events in Uruguay, and follows the same structure and premise; told in just short of ninety minutes, the film captures the experience of a woman being terrorized in her family’s summer house, in one long, uncut sequence.

Elizabeth Olsen (whose few film credits mostly include old children’s movies where she appeared alongside her renown older twin sisters Ashley and Mary-Kate), takes the lead role of Sarah, who begins the movie carelessly watching the waves lap the rocks near her family’s beach house. Once the camera zooms in on her effortless procrastination, it (almost) never leaves her for the remainder of the movie, which becomes a compelling horror/thriller of the home-invasion ilk.

It seems the beach house has become something of a squatter haven, therefore necessitating a renovation in order for Sarah’s family to sell it. With the windows boarded up, the doors locked securely, the family’s summer retreat becomes their worse nightmare, as Sarah, along with her father and uncle, all become tragic victims of a silent terror.

Spectacular to watch, the film makes bold strides to create a viewing experience that transcends the guts-and-glory of typical modern horrors, instead depicting a truly terrifying ordeal, with techniques that render the audience helplessly engaged. Unlike many of the franchised gore flicks, the film demands something from the audience: attention. The extended sequences of watching Sarah attempt to escape this nightmarish menace, whilst occasionally tedious, have a mesmerising effect, and Olsen’s unyielding dedication to her performance is reason enough to watch this movie. Kentis and Lau prove their worth when it comes to building suspense, as well as choosing some superb techniques during the film to make it original (such as a camera flash being used in a desperate moment to light up a room, or having the camera run with Olsen through the grass outside the house).

Few horror films have been released in recent years with such ambition where the results have been as successful. The directors, who previously worked together on Grind (1997) and Open Water (2003), spoke of the originality that the film presented. “Making a film is always a challenge, a plunge into uncharted territory that is both terrifying and utterly exhilarating. Making this film fascinated us, as it presented a unique approach to filmmaking, and a new way to experience a movie.”

Horror fanatics will find the jumpy scare tactics far from unusual, and the film seems to suffer from its own ambition in places - as the lack of cuts and scene changes creates some sluggish moments whilst we are waiting for the next dramatic turn, but the overall effect is still utterly compelling. Released in the UK in May.