Silent Night Review: Silent Night” heralds John Woo’s return to American action cinema, a realm he last graced in 2003 with the aptly named “Paycheck.” The legendary Hong Kong filmmaker pours two decades of Woo-esque flair into the opening scenes of this hyper-stylized yuletide adventure, a sort of “Taken” redux. Joel Kinnaman, adorned in a Rudolph sweater complete with a 3D nose, sprints in slow-motion after Mexican gang members, accompanied by a computer-generated red balloon and the twinkling of a music box.
While the absence of fluttering doves distinguishes it from Woo’s signature style, the melodrama injected into this otherwise ordinary chase reveals the maestro’s touch. Despite the subsequent dismal quality of “Silent Night,” the prologue serves as a fitting entry to a film that oscillates between being provocatively anonymous and wildly idiosyncratic.
The prospect of Woo tackling the vigilante genre, akin to “Taken” or “Peppermint,” may seem promising on paper. Yet, the genre has suffered from ineptitude behind the camera, and “Silent Night” emerges as a derivative, albeit intriguing, concoction stealing from both John Wick and Liam Neeson. However, in the hands of a filmmaker like Woo, known for transforming pulp fiction tropes into pop opera, this may be more of a feature than a flaw.
Notably, Robert Archer Lynn’s script is a standout, unfolding without a single line of dialogue. Brian Godluck (played by Kinnaman) embarks on a vengeance mission after his son’s murder, but a gunshot to the vocal cords robs him of speech. This unique premise turns stylized movie violence into a language, conveyed through extended training montages. Stripping dialogue from a simple vigilante story about an avenging father committing acts of violence makes surprisingly little difference. In this American John Woo venture, dialogue takes a back seat, reminiscent of a Sofia Coppola film without a thermonuclear explosion the absence doesn’t feel glaring.
Brian Godluck’s character doesn’t contribute much verbally, and Woo’s expressive camera movements often speak louder than words. The absence of dialogue becomes an invitation for Woo to indulge in his natural tendencies. However, the film fails to live up to the explosive potential that such excess once promised.
The film’s flowery excess builds towards an underwhelming assault sequence, where the banality of the material overshadows Woo’s eccentricity. Despite the John Woo DNA present throughout the journey, the fireworks themselves are a fourth-rate Hollywood copy-paste, lacking the credibility of the director’s renowned action choreography. The film’s only redeeming fight is a visceral kitchen brawl, a subtle nod to David Fincher’s “The Killer.”
Whether John Woo’s creative spark waned or if the banality of the story dulled his interest, “Silent Night” ultimately rewards patience with a disappointing finale. Woo’s cinematic prowess doesn’t lend itself well to half-measures, and this film, likely the nadir of his eclectic body of work, falls short of capturing the true essence of John Woo’s cinema.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Is Silent Night a good movie?
Even if you’re a fan of action, Silent Night offers enough to please. While the lack of dialogue is a cool concept, I personally think this type of movie could use a bit more. It’s a tad cheesy at times, but still worth checking out if it piques your interest.
What was the point of the movie Silent Night?
Silent Night, often perceived as a holiday film, actually explores the themes of false information, spreading fear, and the need for bravery in a society where the government and media might not always be honest with its citizens.
Is Art alive at the end of Silent Night?
The weight on the shoulders of the young is truly highlighted in the final scene, as the camera pans over rows of bodies in the grand estate, with the entire family peacefully asleep after taking their medication. There is only a single survivor: Art. He awakens to find his deceased mother, father, and siblings surrounding him.
Why is Silent Night rated R?
This film is classified as Rated R for intense bloody violence, drug use, and some strong language.
