The Netflix Dark Crime Thriller That’s A Sudden Unexpected Hit

Such can certainly be said for the 2020 thriller The Silencing, which, despite receiving a lackluster release in cinemas, is still one to catch while it’s available on the platform.

Starring the likes of Game of Thrones alum Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Peaky Blinders star Annabelle Wallis, the production has all the makings of an intriguing who-dun-it that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

In The Silencing, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau stars as Rayburn Swanson, a man who once loved the sport of hunting but, since the bizarre and unsolved disappearance of his daughter, has had a change of heart.

Now struggling with the loss of his beloved child, Rayburn has turned to seeking solace from the bottle, battling with alcoholism, and living in a wildlife sanctuary to put a bit of good and life back into the world.

Rayburn’s life is forever changed once again when he saves the life of a young girl who is in the clutches of a serial killer.

Doing this good deed puts Rayburn in the line of fire with the sadistic murderer who has now set his sights on the ex-hunter.

Luckily, Rayburn has some help coming to his side in the form of the town’s sheriff who has been hot on the trail of the serial killer since she stumbled upon his last victim.

Thrown into a dangerous hunter vs. hunted situation, The Silencing sees the grief-stricken father and local law enforcement official working themselves down to the bone before the slayer strikes again. 

With Nikolaj Coster-Waldau starring as tracking and hunting pro Rayburn Swanson, The Silencing features Annabelle Wallis as Alice Gustafson, the county’s Sheriff.

Also featured in the film are Zahn McClarnon (Reservation Dogs), Hero Fiennes Tiffin (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince), Danielle Ryan (Wild Mountain Thyme), Melanie Scrofano (Wynonna Earp), and Shaun Smyth.

Production for The Silencing started back in May 2018 when it was revealed that Nikolaj Coster-Waldau would be leading the cast of the Anders Engstom-directed feature.

The project came just one year before Coster-Waldau’s final appearance as Jaime Lannister on HBO’s hit fantasy series, Game of Thrones, making the actor a big get for the production.

From there, everything soon began to fall into place with Annabelle Wallis signing on to star opposite Coster-Waldau and the rest of the ensemble joining shortly after.

The only big shakeup between pre-production and filming was the change of directors with Robin Pront stepping in for Engstom.

A victim of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Silencing missed its big premiere at that year’s South by Southwest as the event was shut down during the very beginning days of lockdown.

Still, many companies were interested in picking up the film and ensuring that it saw its well-earned theatrical release with Saban Films landing the final deal.

Due to the closure of cinemas, The Silencing was first dropped on DirecTV Cinema in July 2020 with a release in cinemas in August, which also marked its drop to VOD.

Despite having the cards stacked against it, The Silencing was the number one rental in the country during its first available weekend and would play on 79 screens across the country.

Even with its setbacks, the film still managed to draw in a decent in-theater crowd, earning just a little over $53,000 in ticket sales during its theatrical run.

While the plot is certainly enough of a reason to stream The Silencing while it’s available on Netflix, the film’s leading cast should give interested audiences the extra boost needed to give it a go.

Of course, the world knows Nikolaj Coster-Waldau from his tenure on Game of Thrones but the Danish-born actor has also dazzled viewers with performances in titles including Black Hawk Down and New Amsterdam.

Most recently, it was revealed that the star would be returning to network TV for a new series titled King and Conqueror.

Likewise, while Annabelle Wallis is certainly recognized for her parts in shows like Peaky Blinders and The Tudors, the actress has also made plenty of appearances in spooky films including Malignant, The Mummy (2017), and Silent Night.

And then, there’s Zahn McClarnon who recently wrapped up a three-season run on FX’s celebrated series, Reservation Dogs. Viewers will also recognize the actor from such productions as Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep and AMC+’s Dark Winds.

Catch incredible performances set to a pulse-pounding storyline as The Silencing is now available to stream on Netflix.