Sat. Apr 19th, 2025

Oct. 07, 2021|United Kingdom|n/A
Genre: Thriller
Description: **Silent Hours 2021 Movie: Overview and Plot**

Private detective John Duval, a former lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy and Naval Intelligence, becomes the prime suspect in a police investigation after three women are brutally murdered. *Silent Hours* follows Duval as he navigates the intense scrutiny of law enforcement, who are convinced of his involvement in the killings.

As the story unfolds, Detective Inspector Jane Ambrose (Dervla Kirwan) is certain that Duval’s repeated appearances at crime scenes are no coincidence. Navy Commander William Calthorpe (Hugh Bonneville) and psychologist Dr. Catherine Benson (Indira Varma) are also drawn into the investigation, adding layers of complexity. The question arises: can any evidence or motives be truly trusted?

The film, adapted from a three-part drama series, suffers from uneven pacing and a bloated runtime of over 2.5 hours. It retains an episodic structure, which doesn’t transition smoothly into a cinematic format. Heavy-handed exposition and clumsy camera work, particularly during scenes in the psychologist’s office, detract from the storytelling.

Despite its grim subject matter, *Silent Hours* struggles to create a sense of urgency or danger. It relies on generic genre tropes without elevating them or introducing fresh elements. Even narrative techniques like shifting realities or revisiting past events fail to deliver the intended cleverness. Performances are inconsistent, with Kirwan standing out as the only actor who manages to maintain a strong presence throughout.

Ultimately, *Silent Hours* feels like a classic tale that has been told countless times—and often in more compelling ways. It’s a story that, while intriguing in concept, falls short in execution and leaves viewers longing for a more engaging and innovative approach.
Cast director: Mark Greenstreet
Cast actor: Indira Varma, Susie Amy, Tom Beard, Hugh Bonneville, Annie Cooper, Elizabeth Healey, Dervla Kirwan, Vicki Michelle, Alistair Petrie, Angela Thorne

Original name: Silent Hours