User reviews

This movie plays on recent events happening in the United States, where hundreds of thousands of undocumented people are going missing. In this one, an undocumented person is sent to work for a creepy man out in the country for room and board. You can already see where this is going. I don't normally take too many chances on low budget horror movies but I did on this one and I am not impressed. There is more wrong with this movie than right. The acting is not it. The lead actress is kind of annoying. The chemistry between the two leads is nonexistent. The editing is like something you'd see from the Sci-Fi channel at 2am. The writing fails to scare, at all. I've seen worse, but I've seen alot of movies. You might be able to sit through the whole thing. The soundtrack is good and the poster looks legit. Other than that, there's nothing to rave about.

Forced to leave the country, an undocumented woman and her daughter are forced to seek shelter at the house of an elderly gentleman to work as his caretaker, but the more they stay there the more his unhinged antics start to signal something dangerous lurking in the home must fight to stop it.

This was a fairly enjoyable if somewhat troubling genre effort. What seems to be the best part here is the rather fun nature in which this one starts to build up to the conclusion present here. With the majority of this one content to focus on the continued ignorance of the red flags being continued offered up throughout here both in the way the constant glances and comments hint at something macabre beneath the surface, there's a big sense of this energy found in the finale. Revealing the grand design that had been building up the entire film and finally allowed to present it on-screen as they start to put pieces together about the diabolical plans in place. Tying this together with topical political commentary about the state of the world in immigration and xenophobic sentimentality, there's some fun to be had with this one. Beyond this, though, there's not a whole lot to like here. The main factor here is that, because it spends so much time focusing on her ignoring red flags to stay there because she needs the work caring for her daughter, this becomes so obvious about what's going on that it might be fun to see play out but it's not scary or suspenseful at all. To see these flashing obvious signs about the danger of the situation go ignored simply so that it can present the ideas as a surprise is a massively underwhelming feature when the film tries to present her as being so smart that to fall victim to them is a bit disingenuous as it gets around these scenes with some blatantly onslaught of ideas hoping to present this. As well as some odd slow-motion sequences that don't need to be utilized in this manner, these features are what bring this one down.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language, Graphic Violence, children-in-jeopardy, and Brief Nudity.

Of course it was a given that I had to sit down and watch the 2024 horror movie "Silence of the Prey", as I happened to stumble upon it by random chance here in 2024. Sure, I had never heard about the movie, not that it really mattered, as it being a horror movie was sufficient for me to opt to sit down and watch it.

Now, I wasn't harboring any expectations to the movie, as I literally had no idea what I was in for here, aside from it being a horror movie. And I have to say that the movie's cover was the reason why I stopped and took notice of the movie.

The storyline in the movie, as written by Karyna Kudzina and Saro Varjabedian, was semi-adequate. It was a bit of a slow burn, but it proved to be sort of entertaining enough for what it was, provided you can endure the pacing of the narrative. And I have to say that the character gallery and some of the acting performances definitely helped to make the movie all the more enjoyable to sit through. The movie did, however, suffer from a somewhat stale and monotonous narrative, there wasn't much of any forward momentum, nor of anything overly thrilling or scary happening, and that made sitting through "Silence of the Prey" a bit of a drag.

I wasn't familiar with the casted actors and actresses in the movie. I wasn't particularly impressed with the performance put on by leading actress Karyna Kudzina (playing Nina), whom also co-wrote and co-directed the movie, as she didn't have a natural delivery of her dialogue or acting, making it feel shunted and rigid. Truth be told, she acted and looked like a puppet where some puppeteer has a hand up inside in order to make it move and perform. The movie, however, was carried by actor Chris LaPanta's (playing Luther) performance, and actor Monte Bezell (playing Andres) also put on a good performance.

Visually then "Silence of the Prey" wasn't packing a particularly impressive display. The movie wasn't really dependent on special effects and CGI, so that was a good thing, and thus the movie didn't really have an abundance of special effects nor CGI effects.

"Silence of the Prey" came and went without leaving much of a lasting impression. Sure, it was watchable for what it was, but it is hardly a movie that I will be picking up a second time. Nor is it a movie that I would recommend for horror fans to rush out and get to watch.

My rating of directors Karyna Kudzina and Michael Vaynberg's 2024 horror movie "Silence of the Prey" lands on a three out of ten stars.

I chose to watch it as it was available for free and because the poster was not too bad. Written by Karyna Kudzina and Saro Varjabedian, the movie's plot was predicated on dubious assumptions - at the end credits there was the information about 85,000 missing children but this movie does not make chidren even a subject of discussion! Perhaps missing someone else... like mothers, could be relevant for the story! Even though the story moved at a very slow pace, it ended up being just watchable - that is, if you could get beyond how boring it was! The lack of anything really exciting or frightening made watching "Silence of the Prey" a bit tedious.

While I don't hate social commentary in a film, Silence of the Prey goes just a bit too heavy-handed and a bit too aggressive with its topics. I actually like the attempted message of the story, but the writing and acting aren't where they should be.

For starters, far too much is revealed and given away far too early. You already know what's going to happen next because there's no actual attempt at building up the mystery. While the characters are especially suitable choices for the story, there's no build-up and their arcs add very little. It's also too blunt with its particular messages, to the point where conversations and exchanges feel stilted and too apparent..... The acting also only has misfires. No one seems to know how to portray their characters, and there are many scenes where it just feels like people don't even know how to facially express the correct emotions. Something always feels off, which just makes scenes that much more annoying..... But the visuals are quite pleasing. There's a good attempt at giving the right levels of foreboding and ominous with how each scene is captured. While there are instances of scenes getting close to but not quite hitting the mark, there are many more scenes that do hit the mark in terms of visuals.... The soundtrack is also a step above standard fare, though it's often a bit too overdone, with many scenes feeling too heavy and dark for the mood that they try to achieve. There's just too much overcompensation with the music where there should be none.

Probably not a surprise that Silence of the Prey isn't good. It had promise, but never reached its potential.

Honestly, I just signed up on this platform to leave a review because this movie just won't let me rest! I lived in Belarus for a while, and it was especially fun to recognize familiar places and the atmosphere, though the movie itself is far from 'fun' 😂. It seriously got on my nerves! The plot is super intense at times, gave me chills, and that guy in the costume with horns - absolutely terrifying! Every time he showed up, I almost jumped out of my seat! 😱 But at the same time, everything is shot so well, visually it's amazing. I'm giving it 9 out of 10, because there were a couple of moments that could have been developed more, but it's still a solid film! Now I'm just sitting here, trying to process what I just watched 😅.

Not very good , but not as bad as the rating suggests ))) My point is simple : if I watched the film to the end and didn't spend significant amount of time on the phone either ) It means , that the film was reasonably captivating ... Story was used before many times , acting definitely amateurish , effects are half decent , but , to be reasonably objective , I can not judge it too harshly : for a very simple reason , this is a first attempt of this team to produce a movie .And that fact alone , makes me wonder what they will do with bigger budget and better actors ?Overall , not a must see , for sure , but ok for a one time watch.

This film has an original story, as an immigrant i could relate to the main character, i felt angry, frustrated and happy at times, the acting was spectacular, and the characters where complex, i do recomend this movie for anyone looking to watch a film that is both scary and has a depth story.

I think the theme of the movie was original, i think racism to forent people has not been explored much, so i am happy to see it was explored in this film, to create awareness about it.

I also did like the coloring of the film, it added to the story, with cold colors.

Lastly i will give this film a 10/10. I thought it was really good.

This a movie that I got the chance to see via screener takes to Shirly from Studio Dome / The Horror Collective. I was looking through the press material and seeing that this was horror, I was down. This being a 2024 release was something else working in its favor. Other than that, I came into this one blind.

Synopsis: in a desperate bid to secure a future for her child, an undocumented immigrant mother takes a caretaker job. Unbeknownst to her, the elderly man conceals a horrifying truth.

We start this off with a car traveling down a road going through the woods. Mary (Lorianna Izrailova) is driving. She is giving background information to where she is taking Nina (Karyna Kudzina) and her daughter, Isabella. These two are from Belarus. It sounds like they fled to America as Nina spoke out against the government so she would be imprisoned. Mary is taking her to a place where they put undocumented immigrants until they get on their feet. There are good number who come through here.

There is an odd scene where they stop off and we hear a scream in the distance. I wasn't sure if this was human or a dog. We do see someone flee out of the woods, forcing Nina and Isabella back to the car. A group follows this person from the woods. Mary gets them started once again.

They arrive then at the cabin belonging to Luther (Chris LaPanta). We learn about him and how his family has lived here for generations. They came over with the pilgrims. Luther's ancestor, with others, created this settlement known as New Plymouth. They were stricter with their beliefs so that caused them to break away. Luther lives off the land and his place doesn't have all the basic amenities you'd expect. There is a wrinkle here. He doesn't allow people with children to stay with him. Mary asks for an exception here. This older man does agree.

We then see Nina and Isabella settle in. There are growing pains as Nina looks or touches things that she shouldn't. Luther is stern with her. Things do take a turn when Andres' (Monte Bezell) car breaks down and he needs help. When he first showed up, Luther went into town. Nina flees into the house with her daughter to hide. Andres shows up again later and is knocked out by Luther. He doesn't trust outsiders but relents hearing Andres' story. It will take time to fix his car, so he allows him to stay. Luther plans a party to invite his neighbors and friends over. It is from here we see the truth of their way of life and things that Nina has been seeing.

That is where I'll leave my recap and introduction to the character. Where I want to start is that I like the set up here. I'm not an expert by any stretch, but I did pick up on things through this opening dialogue between Nina and Mary. Then I noticed things that Luther said. I won't reveal what I thought, but what I will say is that the alternate title to his is Harvest. There were cool images used that I was a fan of. It also made me think of mythology of rural areas like this that works as well.

Now that I've set those aspects up, let me delve into what I can. Nina is an undocumented refugee fleeing to the United States for political reasons. She has a daughter, so she needs to be careful. She is a bit too trusting, but there's not a lot she can do either. This is something that she talks to Andres about, who is also an immigrant to the US. What I'll say here is that this is poignant to the times. Nina is white and from Eastern Europe. There is a bit less racism when it comes to Luther and his friends. They still don't understand the difference between Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. I found that interesting. The idea of undocumented individuals is a hot button topic as well, regardless of where they're from. I should also end this section by saying that it is interesting that Kudzina co-directed, co-wrote and stars in this. It makes me think she is pulling from stories that she knows as this is claiming to be based on a true story. I wonder how much of this specific movie is true. There is text at the end about people going missing, especially undocumented individuals. I'd bet that is where realism comes from.

I think then I'll shift over to Luther and his friends. We get the idea from the first time we meet him that there's something off about him. LaPanta does well at giving us that there is anger there. He is doing a nice thing for Nina and her daughter. I can't hate him for expecting certain things. For most of what we see, it isn't bad. Where I have problems is this tea that he is giving her that makes her drowsy. She doesn't want to take it. What is good is that it does seem to cure this cough that she can't shake. It makes you question what we're seeing. As this goes on though, we see there are racist beliefs that Luther along with Brandon (Michael Doyle), Anna (Rebecca Packer) and Justin (Tim Shelburne) share. They also might be a cult that do rituals as well. I thought LaPanta was great here and these other cast members round out what you'd expect of his group.

Since I'm not going to spoil things, I'll shift over to the rest of the cast. There isn't much here. The little girl who takes on the role of Isabella is good. She doesn't fully understand what is happening around her which felt real. Bezell is good as this 'forbidden fruit' to tempt Nina. She wants to leave with Andres, but without knowing the truth, she feels indebted to Luther. That felt real as well. I also thought that Izrailova and the rest of the cast rounded this out for what was needed.

All that is left then is filmmaking. I thought that the cinematography was good. They set up that this cabin is in the middle of nowhere. With the help of Andres, we know that there are few people close by and it isn't easy to get away. I also believe that things that happen could be due to that isolation as well. I like the fuzzy focus we get when Nina is drugged. That was a good touch to simulate what she is seeing and feeling. We don't get a lot in the way of effects, but we don't necessarily need them. There is great masks and things worn using deer skulls as well as antlers. I like that aspect. That worked what was needed. The soundtrack also works for what was needed.

In conclusion, I rather enjoyed what this movie was doing. This is going to be dated bringing up the war in Ukraine, but I like how they correlate to this group here in the US. We have an interesting commentary on immigrants and how people like this can disappear if they aren't careful. There are stakes with Nina and her daughter being taken in by a man they don't fully know in Luther. I thought that this was well-made. There are elements that are a bit generic and I don't know if this one is enough to fully stand out amongst them. I still enjoyed my time here. The isolated feel was great along with things they did with the cinematography and framing. I'd recommend giving this a viewing if the things that I've said pique your interest as this was a decent independent film.

My Rating: 7 out of 10.

At first glance, it might seem like just another typical thriller, but it has a depth that reveals itself gradually. The real horror here isn't in monsters or bloody scenes - it's in the hunt itself, the psychological game between predator and prey. 😨 The tension builds slowly, but when it reaches its peak, it pins you to your seat. The film grabs you by giving you time to connect with the characters, then pulls the rug out from under you at unexpected moments. 🎬 The use of light and shadow is phenomenal, creating an atmosphere where even silence feels deafening. Just when you think you've figured out the rules of the game, the plot takes a sharp turn and leaves you guessing all over again.

This film isn't for those looking for easy jump scares. It's for those ready to immerse themselves in a story and feel that every step the protagonist takes could be their last. 👏 I highly recommend it to anyone who wants not just to be scared, but to experience suspense that makes you think about what real hunting is all about."

I have watched big budget films 90 minutes long that were so unbearable and boring I had to skip through them to get to the end. This film appeared to be low budget, one location and tight. I believe the main character was also the writer. I watched the entire film it was truly a horror story had all the elements. Watch it. It was well written well acted.overall well done. Why does this have to be so long what more do I have to say. I don't understand why it got so many bad reviews the acting was great I recommended to friends and most people that are into horror liked it but had questions....end.

It's a thriller, not a horror movie.

It was even funny at first but then turned to a thriller. I liked the genre changing.

Especially I was pretty shocked that it's based on true story. WTF is going with our world?!?! The events depicted in the film serve as a sobering reminder of the dark realities that can unfold in our society. It's unsettling to think that such sinister plots can emerge from the shadows, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.

Actors were ok, not bad, especially Luthier's character was cool. He managed to capture the complexity and moral ambiguity of the protagonist, leaving me unsure whether to root for or against him. The supporting cast also delivered solid performances, adding depth to the overall narrative.

It's worth to watch it at home. The suspenseful pacing and thought-provoking themes make it an engaging experience, even from the comfort of your own living room. The film's ability to hook the viewer and keep them on the edge of their seat is a testament to the skilled storytelling and direction.

This is the story of a young mother and her four-year-old daughter, alone in this country and undocumented, who are lured into a nightmare and forced to fight for their lives. It is Karyna Kudzina's writing and directing debut, and her performance as Nina is compelling (a strong female lead, both on and off the screen). The tension builds from the beginning and the story moves forward to a satisfying ending with nothing wasted. Chris LaPanta's performance as Nina's antagonist, the brooding Luther, is also compelling. And, Monte Bezell is perfectly cast as Andrés, the hapless traveler who happens upon the scene. The film is worth watching for the performances alone.

"Silence of the Prey" is a masterful blend of suspense and drama that grips you from the opening scene and doesn't let go until the credits roll. Directed with an astute understanding of tension and pacing, this 2024 film is a triumph in storytelling and visual composition.

The plot is intricately woven, revealing layers of mystery that keep the audience engaged and guessing. Each character is meticulously crafted, with performances that bring depth and authenticity to their roles. The protagonist's journey is both harrowing and inspiring, offering a rich emotional experience that resonates long after the film ends.

The cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking, capturing the haunting beauty of the film's settings while amplifying the atmosphere of dread and uncertainty. Every shot is deliberate, contributing to the overarching sense of unease that permeates the film.

The soundtrack complements the visuals perfectly, using silence and sound to create a palpable sense of tension. It's a brilliant example of how music and sound design can elevate a film to new heights.

"Silence of the Prey" is a standout film of 2024, a must-watch for fans of the genre and anyone who appreciates exceptional filmmaking. It's a testament to the power of cinema to captivate, thrill, and move its audience.

I watched silence of the prey and let me tell you, it was such a beautiful movie. The actors were amazing!! I love how the whole movie is made and love the plot of this movie. I really recommend this movie! The way they made this movie about a woman and her daughter is really emotional. I don't wanna spoil but there was one really unexpected thing like i never saw that coming. It's really worth watching. Wanna say so many things about what's happening in the movie but I don't wanna spoil the movie, so you just have to watch it yourself and then you'll understand it. Again so much respect how they made this movie all up.

OMG, Silence of the Prey just blew my mind! From the very beginning, I was on the edge of my seat, and the tension never let up. The way the suspense builds is unreal - it felt like I was holding my breath the entire time. That scene in the forest, when she hears something creeping behind her... I literally jumped out of my skin! And don't even get me started on the part where the lights flicker, and you can barely see what's coming - it was so terrifying I had to cover my eyes.

But what I loved most is how smart and intense the story was. It's not just about jump scares (though they got me, for sure!), it's the psychological tension that keeps you hooked. If you love thrillers that make your heart race, this one is a must-watch!

Silence of the Prey is a descent into gut-wrenching depravity that will undoubtedly prove too much for some viewers. But for those with a strong constitution, it's a haunting, atmospheric thrill-ride of visceral horror filmmaking at its most uncompromising.

The film follows Nina, an undocumented immigrant seeking a fresh start with her young daughter Bella by taking a caretaker job in an isolated rural town. What begins as an uneasy setup quickly spirals into an unrelenting plunge into the darkest recesses of human cruelty and exploitation.

Director Karyna Kudzina, making an exceptional debut, doesn't just dip a toe into disturbing territory - she plunges into a full-immersion of unrelenting dread, sadism, and graphic violence. Sequences of pure nightmare fuel are meticulously constructed through grim cinematography, a skeletal electronic score, and unflinching depictions of brutality.

At the core is Kudzina's own searing lead performance as Nina. She infuses the character with layers of primal determination and all-consuming maternal love fighting against the bleakest of horrors. It's a devastatingly emotional turn that will leave you wrung out.

The supporting cast, particularly Chris LaPanta as the menacingly unhinged Luther, fully embrace the film's plunge into depravity. There are no heroes here - just victims and depraved perpetrators testing the limits of your endurance.

Silence of the Prey is undoubtedly an extreme, boundary-pushing experience not meant for casual viewers. But for die-hard horror fans, it's a nightmarishly immersive plunge into the darkest depths of human cruelty realized with searing artistry. Just be forewarned - this is one prey that will leave you psychologically scarred.

Silence of the Prey is a harrowing descent into visceral horror that will shake you to your core. From its ominous opening scenes to its shockingly brutal climax, this film pulls no punches in its grim exploration of human darkness.

The story follows Nina, an illegal immigrant seeking a fresh start with her young daughter Bella. When she takes a caretaker job in an isolated town, what seems like an opportunity slowly unravels into an unimaginable nightmare. Director meticulously builds an atmosphere of escalating dread, crafting sequences that will chill you to the bone. The film's decaying rural town setting and haunting cinematography add immensely to the sense of unease.

But it's the film's unflinching depictions of shocking violence and depravity that really make it linger long after viewing. Silence of the Prey doesn't shy away from its disturbing subject matter, depicting horrific acts in excruciating detail. The graphic content is sure to be too much for some viewers. However, those with a strong constitution will find a nightmarishly effective horror experience.

At the center is a phenomenal performance from Karyna Kudzina as Nina. Her raw desperation as a mother fighting for survival in unimaginable circumstances makes for an incredibly visceral emotional journey. You truly feel her terror and anguish. The supporting cast, including a menacing as the disturbed Luther, are excellent as well.

While Silence of the Prey is certainly an endurance test of brutality and depravity, for horror fans craving an uncompromising, atmospheric thrill ride, it's essential viewing. This is elevated horror operating at its most psychologically disturbing and effective. A brutal, nightmarish experience - but one that will stick with you long after the credits roll.