Metascore

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 680 Ratings

  • Starring: Laurie Holden, Radha Mitchell, Sean Bean
  • Summary: The eerie and deserted town of Silent Hill draws a young mother desperate to find a cure for her only child's illness. Unable to accept the doctor's diagnosis that her daughter should be permanently institutionalized for psychiatric care, Rose (Mitchell) flees with her child, heading for the abandoned town in search of answers -- and ignoring the protests of her husband. (Sony Pictures) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 20
  2. Negative: 10 out of 20
  1. 63
    It packs in a few scary moments and offers a nicely ambiguous conclusion. In Silent Hill, atmosphere trumps storyline.
  2. Reviewed by: James Dyer
    60
    A step in the right direction for console-to-screen transitions and a twisted masterpiece of set design. Ultimately, though, it's a little too much like watching someone else play the game.
  3. Reviewed by: Jason Anderson
    38
    Though Silent Hill's shoddy dialogue and incoherent story constantly irritate, several sights and scenes possess a certain surreal grandeur...Sadly, that's not enough to compensate for Silent Hill's utter lack of tension, intrigue, character development or satisfactory explanations for what the hell's happening on the screen.
  4. 38
    Although I did not understand the story, I would have appreciated a great deal less explanation. All through the movie, characters are pausing in order to offer arcane back-stories and historical perspectives and metaphysical insights and occult orientations. They talk and talk and somehow their words do not light up any synapses in my brain.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 40 out of 270
  1. GonzaloP.
    10
    Rate this movie is easy. The movie was made for ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD that played Silent Hill in the glorious Playstation. The first Silent Hill is just a master piece. If you played Silent hill 2, 3 or The Room, it's not the same... if you never played any game of silent hill, even worst... I saw this movie with a smile and tears in my eyes because it was everything that I imagined when I finished Silent Hill several years ago... ALL is just perfect; I read that some Critics and User reviews said that the movie has no reality that it's too fantastic... Those who said that didn't understand the idea of the movie, that it's just the same of the game. The story has to be twisted, unreal, and for those who said that "It's a bad horror movie"... you're wrong from the beginning... The best of silent hill is that is not a horror movie, it may appeared but it isn't, it's not a suspense film, it' may have some points but... it isn't, the best of silent hill it's that to "mark" this film in some genre, we need to install a new genre, because silent hill is unique... play the first video game then watch the movie again, This movie doesn't care critics of those who don't played the game, It's just a tribute for the game and those who enjoy it!!! Resident Evil film doesn Expand
  2. AnthonyA.
    8
    Never, ever, ever listen to critics when it comes to film. I can't say that enough. This especially applies to a film based on a videogame such as Silent HIll. Film critics are notorious for hating video games as a form of art/entertainment. Sorry Roger Ebert, but you're old and this is a whole new world. Yours and other critic's opinions on this film is irelevant in my opinion. Now for the movie: If you played the games religiously, as I have, then you will definatly appreciate what has been done in the transition to the big screen. It looks great, it sounds great and 99% of the time it just feels right. People who saw this movie with me who had never played the game left the movie really confused. Aside from the lame dialogue, and liberties taken with the story from the first SIlent Hill, this was my only gripe with the film. It is definatly for the fans of the franchise and everyone else is really left in the dark. That aside, everyone can agree that this movie does magicaly transport you into its foggy, gloomy world. And to be honest with you, I am glad that people who never played the games left the theater a bit confused because figuring out the truth about Silent Hill is what has made the games so great. I'm still trying to figure them all out, as I'm sure some of the hard core fans of the series are as well. As a Silent Hill fan: 9 As a film geek: 8 Expand
  3. D.S.
    7
    At first I was going to give this movie an 8 or maybe even a 9, but then I actually played the games (all 1-4 of them!) and realized that: 1.The games are far more engaging in story and character than most movies ive ever seen and most especially this movie. 2. It is much like watching someone play the video game. (watching someone actually play the video game is, in fact, quite entertaining in itself though, especially with commentary from an unexpecting gamer) Overall, the movie is great fun with truly sick scenery and atmosphere combined with a great soundtrack from Akira Yamaoka (who also created the soundtrack for the games). Its drawbacks are its somewhat incoherent story (suggest playing the game first for a much greater understanding of the movie),lackluster dialouge at times (though not as bad as critics say) and the aforementioned fact that the video game itself is more engaging than the movie. I must say that, though not that scary, it is superior to most of the recent horror titles out there at the moment due to atmosphere and a plot, though messy, will keep you entirely glued to the seat throughout the movie. Expand
  4. A mediocre movie that butchered the original story about Silent Hill and officially marks the death of Silent Hill. The only reason why this mediocre movie is considered the best video game adaption is because the other movies are unwatchable (thanks to Uwe Boll). 4/10-and only because it's watchable. And that's extremely generous score. Expand

See all 270 User Reviews

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