The Silence

111 minutes

GERMANY

The Silence begins 23 years ago on a hot summer day, when a girl named Pia is brutally murdered in a field of wheat by Peer, as his helpless friend Timo watches. Now, in the present day, on the exact same date, 13-year-old Sinikka is missing, her bicycle abandoned in the same spot, leading police to suspect the same killer may be at work again.Recently widowed detective David and his colleague Janna struggle to solve the mystery of these parallel crimes with the help of Krischan, the retired investigator of the unresolved case.While Sinikka's distraught parents are trapped in an agonizing period of waiting and uncertainty, their daughter's fate rips open unhealed wounds in the heart of Pia's mother and sends Timo in search of Peer and their own old desires.

84% on the CINEMETER

76% - Mar 3, 2013

It's like watching an enitre television series at once - akin to The Wire in its ensemble apporach, depth and complexity.
Washington, DC Member

Exceptional acting by all, found Roeland Wiesnekker especially memorable. Ingenious use of 'horror' type music.
Washington, DC Member

STL

84% - Mar 24, 2013

Very powerful. The acting, especially of Timo, was so real and affecting. Every inch of the movie felt real, and the ending was haunting.
St. Louis Member

Wonderfully suspenseful potrayal of complex, flawed characters who failed to speak the truth or seek the whole truth.
St. Louis Member

Taut, grim, suspenseful, neo-Hitchcockian. Loneliness is the unifying theme of this compex film.
St. Louis Member

84% - Feb 24, 2013

The incredible cinematography and the sound created such a strong mood and incredible tension. It felt like a director completely in control of his story.
San Francisco Member

European films manage to take on these stories in a way that American films rarely manage to do, showing humanity on all sides, allowing the viewer to feel empathy for more of the characters than you might otherwise.
San Francisco Member

Amusing: I would like to see a German comedy.
San Francisco Member

84% - Mar 17, 2013

Totally gripping from start to end. Amazing photography and pacing. All the more suspenseful for lack of graphic violence.
Greater New Haven Member

The saturated color (bloody reds) added to the sense of dread. The transition, with images of children or sounds of the children's voices, also added to a feeling of impending danger.
Greater New Haven Member

My favorite so far! Gripping in a Hitchcock-like way. All elements -- cinematography, musical score, acting, etc. -- worked successfully. Would welcome a sequel, Silence II.
Greater New Haven Member

BOS

81% - Mar 3, 2013

1. Very disturbing but very profound: thought provoking and laced with probing questions about morality, smut, grief and loneliness.
Boston Member

Hard to watch but riveting. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole film
Boston Member

Tightly constructed and well-conceived murder(s) mystery. Very complex characters powerfully portrayed. Excellent ending leaving the plot to unravel further. Super interesting camera angles and presence.
Boston Member

BOCA

88% - Mar 10, 2013

Very realistic portrayal of the effect of extreme grief on people.
Boca Raton Member

Loved it-- not the usual who dunnit.
Boca Raton Member

Finally a movie that was pitch perfect. A hell of a psychological insight into the mind of the pedophile.
Boca Raton Member

ATL

89% - Mar 24, 2013

Riveting--heart stopping. Worked me to the core. No gym visit needed today--above target heart rate all movie long!
Atlanta Member

Finally, a new Hitchcock emerges. Who knew it would be from Germany.
Atlanta Member

This kind of movie is the reason I belong to the club--foreign, small, not mainstream, so I wouldn't hear of it otherwise, and yet fantastic.
Atlanta Member

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