Chris Kentis and Laura Lau's 'Silent House' is a remake of the 2010 Uruguayan film, 'La Casa Muda', which gained notoriety because of the fact that it was presented as an 88-minute 'uninterrupted' take. This technique was better utilized by Alfred Hitchcock in his 1948 film, 'Rope'.
Elizabeth Olsen plays Sarah, a young woman who is helping her dad pack things up in their lakeside retreat which is up for sale. Sarah's uncle also comes to the house in order to clean things up for potential buyers. When Sarah's uncle leaves Sarah alone to call for an electrician, all hell breaks loose. Suddenly, Sarah and her dad are attacked by an unseen force in the house. Sarah is haunted by strange noises and believes that someone lurking the house is out to kill both her and her father. Some viewers might see the conclusion coming from a mile away, while others might be pleasantly surprised. Some might actually think it's downright ridiculous. The film definitely lags at certain points, but Olsen's performance is what redeems the movie.
Elizabeth Olsen has emerged as one of the brightest stars in Hollywood after a strong debut in 2010's psychological thriller, 'Martha Marcy May Marlene', and she gives another strong performance in 'Silent House'. In fact, Olsen carries the weight of the film on her shoulders. If not for her nuanced performance, the film would be a complete chore to sit through.
Overall, I would say 'Silent House' is a rental at best.
