Writer/Director Mike Flanagan has a pretty healthy relationship with Netflix, at least in terms of delivering quality horror. Last October’s The Haunting of Hill House series chilled viewers to their core. The year before that Flanagan adapted what was previously considered unadaptable; Stephen King’s Gerald’s Game. This Wild Card Sunday we’re going back to his first Netflix original, the taut and suspense-driven Hush.
A simple home invasion story done with style and skill, Hush may not reinvent the wheel, but it’s a great time and just might make you forget about the work week ahead.
Synopsis: Maddie is a deaf and mute author who has taken up a solitary life in an isolated home deep in the woods. When a masked killer appears at her window one night, there’s no one else in the area to help her fight for her life. It’s a brutal battle.
Key Players: Co-writer Kate Siegel stars as Maddie, and usual nice guy John Gallagher Jr. plays against type as the masked killer, “The Man.” Samantha Sloyan and Michael Trucco have small roles as Maddie’s only neighbors for miles.
Why It’s on the List: With Doctor Sleep mere weeks away from release and The Haunting of Bly Manor currently in production, it felt appropriate to celebrate at least one of the genre offerings Flanagan has delivered this decade (he’s been very busy). As a Netflix exclusive, Hush tends to be overshadowed by Flanagan’s more recent works; home invasion isn’t a subgenre for all, as it is. It’s a straightforward story, but with nail-biting tension, fantastic sound design, and visual flair that makes this cat and mouse thriller one that tends to leave you breathless. Gallagher Jr.’s turn as the villain is rightfully creepy, but Siegel’s fierce performance as Maddie makes you wonder why she’s not a bigger star. Bonus: Maddie’s cat!
Silence Can Be Killer: A small-scaled film with a tiny cast means a trailer could give a lot away, but luckily this one doesn’t.
Where You Can Watch: Hush is available to stream on Netflix.