After getting rave reviews at SXSW, Hush finally gets a worldwide premiere via Netflix, and now we get it. Oh yes, we really get it!

Whenever there’s a film festival or Comic-Con or what have you, a few movies tend to run with all the attention. In 2016 Hush was one of those movies at SXSW. Fortunately, we only had to wait a little less than a month to find out what all the hype was about, since Netflix bought the rights and has released it to the world already.

Hush netflix reviewThe tone of Hush is spot-on from the very beginning. We get the carefree Maddie, just going about her day and relaxing with a friend, which means we immediately get to know her background in a very natural and relaxed way. Obviously, this also makes sure that we’re entirely on her side once things start going badly. And they do very quickly, so don’t worry; You won’t be sitting through an hour of “get to know thy characters” before the horror begins.

Speaking of horror, the bad guy is played by 10 Cloverfield Lane‘s good guy, John Gallagher Jr., who really seems to be on a roll with these great movies. In this movie, he’s the guy in the mask. And what a perfect mask it is, with just the hint of a smile as he goes about grusome acts of violence.

And even though he does a great job, the real star of this movie is most certainly Kate Siegel. She really is the “girl next door”-type in every way. Yes, even when she’s being a total badass, who won’t quit. You’d be surprised just how much the girl next door is ready to fight!

I had high expectations of Hush, but I’m very thrilled to report that I was not disappointed. This is the kind of horror movie that anyone who loves horror should watch. So simple in its plot of characters, but this is exactly what makes you relate to it. I was immediately reminded of a weekend I spent in a small cottage out in the middle of nowhere last year. There are no special circumstances here. Just plain bad luck – and one Hell of a psychopath and a woman, who will not give up.

This is a classic Blumhouse production in the way that the story is the focus. Not a massive budget or super star actors to headline. Just a solid story, great acting and a director to carry the horror home. And in this case, they’re really working the story angle extra well, since the main character is deaf and a writer. We hear her thoughts on what’s going on throughout the movie. And let me tell you, she has a storyteller’s gift!



Hush was directed by Mike Flanagan, who also wrote the script along with its star, Kate Siegel. Previously, Flanagan also wrote and directed Oculus and Absentia. His next movie out will be Before I Wake, which we’re very excited about as well. For Siegel, this is her first turn as a writer, but hopefully not her last, since this one turned out pretty damn well. She’s worked with Flanagan previously as an actress on Oculus, and as of 2016 they’re also married, so maybe this is a new horror power-duo. I certainly hope so!

There is no reason for you not to watch Hush, and every horror-loving reason to watch it as soon as you can – but preferably when it’s dark outside and you feel the horror creep into your mind. This is when you check the locks on every door one extra time, and start making plans for what you’d do.

Hush premiered worldwide on Netflix April 8, 2016

Details

Director: Mike Flanagan
Writer: Mike Flanagan, Kate Siegel
Cast: Kate Siegel, John Gallagher Jr., Michael Trucco

Plot

A deaf woman, Maddie Young, lives a quiet life in a secluded house, where she’s working on her next novel. With no company but her cat, this quiet life takes a dramatic turn, when she’s stalked by a psychotic killer and finds herself trapped in her secluded home

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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