HORROR MOVIE REVIEWS: DEAD SILENCE
Review: Dead Silence (2007)
Released in 2007, Dead Silence brought ventriloquist dummies back into the spotlight as a source of pure nightmare fuel. Directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell—the same duo behind Saw—this film leans into old-school horror vibes and is easily one of the spookiest films of the century.
The story revolves around Jamie Ashen, who returns to his eerie hometown of Ravens Fair after his wife’s brutal murder. The only clue? A creepy ventriloquist dummy named Billy. As Jamie delves deeper, he uncovers the terrifying legend of Mary Shaw, a vengeful spirit with a chilling past.
Monsters/Villains: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (7.3)
Mary Shaw is a genuinely unsettling antagonist, and her ventriloquist dummies add an extra layer of creepiness to the film. The eerie rhyme about Mary Shaw, combined with the lifeless stares of her puppets, creates an oppressive atmosphere. While she doesn’t quite reach the iconic status of other horror villains, her ability to silence her victims with terrifying precision is nightmare-inducing.
Actors/Characters: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (6.2)
The performances in Dead Silence are serviceable but not particularly memorable. Ryan Kwanten (Jamie Ashen) does a decent job as the grieving husband unraveling the mystery, but the supporting cast struggles to make an impression. Donnie Wahlberg, as the skeptical detective, brings some energy to the role, though his performance reminds us why he’s the second-best Wahlberg brother.
Story: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (5.8)
The story is relatively simple, and Ravens Fair feels like it has a population of about four people and even fewer buildings. That said, the pacing moves along well, and Mary Shaw’s backstory is intriguing enough to keep you engaged. The twist ending is memorable and adds an unexpected layer to the narrative, even if it leaves you with a few questions.
Joe Score: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (7.5)
I have a soft spot for Dead Silence. It’s not perfect, but it achieves what it sets out to do—deliver a creepy, old-school horror experience. The visuals, particularly the eerie ventriloquist dummies and Mary Shaw’s ghostly presence, linger with you long after the credits roll. It’s the kind of film that makes you uneasy around dolls for days.
Overall: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (6.7)
Updated List:
The Exorcist (9.25)
Psycho (9.22)
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (9.0)
The Omen (1976) (8.45)
Salem’s Lot (8.4)
The Ghost & Mr Chicken (8.32)
It (2017) (8.3)
Rosemary’s Baby (8.28)
The Phantom of the Opera (1925) (8.08)
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) (8.07)
The Wolfman (1941) (7.98)
The Lost Boys (7.97)
The Thing (1982) (7.67)
The Fog (7.5)
Homicidal (7.12)
Dead Silence (6.7)
Halloween (1978) (6.65)
Ernest Scared Stupid (5.35)
Monster Squad (5.22)
