Hush is the 2016 intense and claustrophobic thriller film in both the physical and psychological sense. An unexpected move from Director Mike Flanagan who brought us the jump scare film, Oculus (2013). But this short, indie-style slasher is centered around a deaf and mute woman (Kate Siegel) who is being terrorized by the perfect psychopath (John Gallagher). Hush paints the perfect setting for Flanagan to redeem him as a director and jumpstart his career. With a limited release and most of its publicity within the depths of Netflix, this movie is a must-see.
Keeping the Audience in the Dark: From the start of this film, we don't know what's in store for the viewing audience. Siegel’s performance early on as the deaf and mute isolated author let us believe she is more vulnerable than that nice old lady that lives down the street from us. Of course, the film flips those expectations on the audience after a couple of heartwarming scenes. There are several times in the film that Flanagan utilizes what happens on screen to deceive our perceptions of what exactly is going on.
Shove Your Stereotypes Where the Sun Don’t Shine: Recent low-budget, indie horror/thriller films have been doing Oscar-worthy work when it comes to shaking away from those cliche stereotypes we expect in these types of films. Hush delivers in the same way — a scene in the film builds up to a jump scare and then nothing happens. Our lead is running for her life. A weapon that could be used to defend oneself is dropped, it either gets picked up or becomes useful to the plot later. Imagine a horror/thriller where everyone, the protagonist, the threat, and even the supporting cast are all smart about their decisions. That is Hush.
Not Completely Original: A film released a few years ago called Penthouse North (2013) just has to have been a direct influence on the film. It is nearly the same idea but the woman is blind instead. However, Hush gets executed in a better way than the other one. Even the very popular The Strangers (2008) should get a mention.
A seriously fresh take on this subcategory of the horror/thriller genre as the delivery is nearly perfect, but Hush isn't wholly original when it comes to story.
