One night, a woman is alone in her home as she prepares to head to bed. But little does this woman know; she’s not actually alone. While in the bathroom, a news bulletin is heard on the radio advising listeners that Ernest Strohbecker and two accomplices escaped from a maximum-security hospital the night before after two nurses were stabbed and brutally murdered. The radio advises that Strohbecker is highly dangerous and extremely unpredictable. The woman is soon attacked and brutally murdered.
However, we soon learn that nothing is what it seems, and the entire opening sequence is just a film set with a film crew trying to capture something extraordinary. The tragic fake death scene provides grins and laughter to many on set and crew watching from the sidelines. Billy (Marina Zudina), who specialises in makeup, is among the cast and crew on set. A mute who cannot speak but can hear perfectly, Billy is working in Russia on a film directed by her sister’s boyfriend, Andy (Evan Richards).
One evening, after a day of shooting, Billy is working alone in the studio after hours, preparing for the next day. Strange noises are heard, and Billy soon discovers she’s locked in the studio. Given her speaking struggles, trying to call for help doesn’t work, and making matters worse, as Billy continues investigating the studio, she finds an inappropriate film is being filmed secretly by the Russian mafia at the studio. While the film contains nudity and violence, the main issue is that an actual gruesome murder takes place, all seen through the eyes of Billy. Stuck in the studio, Billy is now a key witness trapped with a pair of murderers. She must do everything she can to survive the night and hopefully find a way to get help from the outside. Now, the Russian mafia are not impressed with the newfound issues on their set, including Billy running around and trying to escape.
Mute Witness is a horror film directed and written by Anthony Waller, best known for An American Werewolf in Paris (1997) and The Guilty (2000). The film begins with a suspenseful storyline, but it becomes more playful and fun as it progresses. Some of the tension of the opening is lost, but the film still manages to introduce many twists and turns to keep the audience guessing how everything will end.
The camera movements are great, particularly when we see Billy running around with the camera following her quickly. In some scenes, the film plays out like a made-for-television movie. The music score here by Wilbert Hirsch is another fun aspect. While somewhat cheesy, it’s well-suited to this film, and the tone is playful yet still fits the horror genre.
Pacing-wise, I loved how this film began by tricking its audiences, letting them know immediately that anything can happen here. While there are plenty of twists and turns, the film feels as though it gets weaker as it progresses because of the firm opening. Don’t get me wrong, the plot throughout is still enjoyable; it’s just not as strong as I would have preferred. Billy is a highly likable character, but sadly, the characters around her are silly and unwise, which is painful to watch, especially when Billy desperately needs their help to survive the night.
Overall, Mute Witness is an enjoyable horror film that takes joy in playing with its audiences right from the opening scene. Anything can happen here, and nothing on-screen is predictable. While the quality of the film gives off the vibe and appearance of a midday movie made for TV, its visuals remain impressive, particularly when the lead is running around and attempting to find safety. While the film begins strongly as a horror film, as it progresses, its story becomes less horrifying while continuing to be fun and silly. Marina Zudina, as Billy, a mute makeup artist, is likable and great, but the side performances are challenging to listen to. Either way, it’s a great way to kill time and experience some fun horror from the 90s.
5.9/10
23rd March 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
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