Destined For Cult Status

Rating: 8/10 (2 May 2006)

Those who have played the Silent Hill video games will recognise that the subject matter is quite difficult to translate into a film. However, it is handled superbly here, and the director does a fantastic job ensuring that the film can be watched by both long term Silent Hill fans and those who have never heard of the games.
The movie has a strange, almost surreal, quality to it which is exactly how it should be. If there are any weaknesses then it would be how little personality the lead character Rose is given. It is a testament to Radha Mitchell's acting skills that we, the audience, still invest in her character Rose with the little that we are given to go on about her.
There are some wonderful moments of horror here. Those who prefer their horror to be more along the lines of 'run, hide, be killed' variety may find themselves irritated by the surreal nature of the plot line. Those who enjoyed films such as Jacobs Ladder will come away thinking this is certainly one of the greatest horror films made this year. The playground and hospital corridor scenes alone are worth the money for anyone seeking a dose of terror.
I would highly recommend seeing Silent Hill. It is the only film that proves, in the right hands, a good computer game can be translated into a good movies. Some will loathe it, others will love it, but there is no denying its ambition, imagination and appreciation for the source material. In about 10 years it will most likely be regarded as a cult classic.