Hush

The United States has a fascination with serial killers. We believe in many myths presented to us by the media. Serial Killers are a small portion of our society. Any given year, there are only 25-50 active serial killers and they account for less than 1 percent of the 15000 homicides a year. Generally, they are not the psychopaths we see in the movies. The live within our community and often blend in with their peers. This makes them hard the catch and elusive to the police.

There is a movie that explores a serial killer that is very good. Hush is a movie that has a unique concept. What if the serial killer stumbles upon a victim by accident that could provide for them a unique experience compared to previous kills? In this case, the victim has lost her hearing and survives in an environment for the hearing impaired. Thus lies the conundrum. Can a serial killer adapt to a world new and unfamiliar to them? Will this new thrill be sufficient enough to satisfy their appetite for power and control?

This movie is a great thriller that examines the unique world all to familiar to our culture. And it was directed with such authenticity. The acting is superb. Because we enter the world of silence, this movie has very little dialog. Unbeknownst to the viewer, you enter that world without realizing you have transformed universes. And at times, the world on the non-hearing can provide a haunting environment for the hearing. You feel the vulnerabilities as the plot develops. You also can experience a transformation of weakness to strength, which I feel is the most compelling part of the story.

The movie's mood is dark. It provides for that edge of your seat feeling that thriller/horror movies rarely capture any more. Pop outs are more the norm compared to being on edge from suspense. You forget how important foreshadowing is until you watch this movie. A great concept for a thriller and I highly recommend it for cerebral cinema viewers.

Author's note: Hush is available on Netflix