The Silent Hour (2024)

The Silent Hour (2024) is an American crime thriller directed by Brad Anderson, written by Dan Hall, and starring Joel Kinnaman, Sandra Mae Frank, Mekhi Phifer, and Mark Strong.

Now, let’s be honest: it’s not exactly Hollywood’s Avengers, is it? Gone are the days of Ben Kingsley gracing our screens, although he did make a lovely appearance in TransSiberian (2008) and Stonehearst Asylum (2014). Anderson knows how to whip up a decent film or two; the four or five I’ve seen are like perfectly cooked meatloaf—neither gourmet nor inedible, just solidly average. Except for The Call, which is a gem from 2013 that had me on the edge of my seat like a cat watching a laser pointer.

Intriguingly, sixteen months post-accident and with less hearing than a teenager ignoring their parents, Boston police detective Frank Shaw finds himself knee-deep in chaos, trying to shield a deaf witness in a murder case. And let me tell you, the bad guys, led by Lynch, are like a pack of hungry wolves in a lamb suit, not taking no for an answer, which leads to some hilarious antics as Frank and Ava try to escape their 14-storey high-rise prison.

Joel Kinnaman nails it with charisma, and I can’t throw shade on him—his character is a breath of fresh air! Sandra Mae Frank? She’s a rock star too! This gal has been advocating for equal rights like it’s a game of charades, and kudos to her for being the first deaf actress to lead a Broadway show! While John Woo may have flopped with muteness, Anderson makes these characters’ disabilities add a sprinkle of uniqueness to an otherwise run-of-the-mill story.

Sure, the pacing sometimes flirts with boredom, filled with random backstories that could put a caffeinated squirrel to sleep. But who doesn’t love a good thriller where empathy plays peek-a-boo? Having a deaf actress brings a twist that might make you think twice—if only you do a bit of homework and find out the real story behind the actors. While the direction doesn’t win any awards, the relentless chase is certainly entertaining, like watching a puppy chase its tail with a few hiccups. So, not the film of the year, but hey, it serves its purpose: a decent thriller and a wild ride!