Beyond the Box Office: A Look at “The Sound”
In our weekly “Missed at the Cinema” column, we highlight films that, while not hitting Russian theaters, might still be worth your attention. This week, we delve into the realm of paranormal investigation with “The Sound.”
Kelly Johansen (Rose McGowan) is a paranormal investigator and blogger who seeks to debunk supernatural claims. Her theory centers on the idea that low-frequency sound waves can disrupt perception and consciousness, leading to what people perceive as paranormal experiences. When Kelly hears about ghost sightings at an abandoned Toronto subway station, she sees it as the perfect opportunity to test her hypothesis, given the prevalence of low-frequency noise in such environments. Venturing into the depths of the underground, she begins her measurements, but soon finds herself haunted by terrifying visions. Undeterred, Kelly presses on, convinced she’s on the verge of a groundbreaking scientific discovery.
A Director’s Genre Experiment
Jenna Mattison, a Chicago native, has been searching for her niche in the entertainment world for years. With experience in beauty pageants, television series, independent films, producing, and screenwriting, Mattison now makes her directorial debut with “The Sound,” venturing into a genre she hasn’t explored before. Her choice of horror seems strategic, as it’s a genre that can be executed without a massive budget, even when incorporating “paranormal” special effects.
The film’s poster suggests Christopher Lloyd has a significant role, on par with Rose McGowan. However, he only appears in a few scenes.
A Formulaic Fright Fest?
What makes us believe that Mattison’s foray into horror isn’t driven by a deep passion for the genre? The lack of inspiration and genuine desire to tell a unique, chilling story in “The Sound” is palpable. Instead, the film feels like a Frankenstein’s monster, hastily stitched together from familiar horror tropes, or a checklist of genre clichés that Mattison diligently tries to tick off.
The abandoned Toronto subway station featured in the film is a real location often used for Hollywood productions, including “Total Recall.”
Dark, deserted underground? Check. Translucent ghosts? Check. Suspicious characters lurking where they shouldn’t be? Check. A brave paranormal investigator? Check. Corpses that appear and disappear? Check. A living doll? Check. A creepy little girl? Check. A legend about the station being built on an old, undisturbed cemetery? Check. A protagonist with a tragic past that resurfaces as her mind unravels? Check. An unstable man who poses a threat as significant as the subway’s ghosts? Check… The list goes on, turning “The Sound” into a tour of paranormal cinema, devoid of cohesion and originality. Unless, of course, you consider the director’s willingness to cram so many genre elements, not all of which blend seamlessly, into a single film as a display of ingenuity.
Pacing Problems and a Lackluster Lead
Despite the script’s density, “The Sound” can be quite tedious at times. The protagonist spends a significant amount of time alone in the same station location, taking measurements or recovering from her experiences. These moments can easily be fast-forwarded to reach the scenes that advance the plot or torment Kelly with new visions and old memories.
The film places a heavy burden on Rose McGowan, and the actress struggles to carry the film single-handedly. McGowan’s performance is monotonous and wooden, and her character is not particularly sympathetic, behaving arrogantly and tweeting with excessive hashtags – more like a affected girl than a serious scientist and author. However, Kelly in “The Sound” is by no means “living meat” for a serial killer. This is a full-fledged protagonist, into whose soul the audience should peer and whose fears they should empathize with. However, McGowan’s appearance, often playing villains, and Kelly’s behavior, which invites trouble, hinder the public, rather than help her.
Final Verdict
Nevertheless, if you’re easily frightened by the dark and ghosts, “The Sound” might manage to scare you. Despite Mattison’s shortcomings as a storyteller, she demonstrates some understanding of how to create and build a nightmarish atmosphere. However, if you have a choice, it’s best to watch or re-watch a more competently made horror film.