John Woo has been out of Hollywood since 2003’s Paycheck. He had a very brief stint where he produced the video game Stranglehold in 2007, and he even dabbled in CGI anime when he produced Appleseed: Ex Machina. Throughout the 2010s, he returned to Hong Kong to make epic dramas and war movies.
Woo has an impressive career full of big movies with larger-than-life action and intense dramatic performances. He is utterly disinterested in subtlety and can be best described as Sergio Leone on acid, Fellini on fire, meets Shakespeare with a Uzi. His movies are operatic explosions of violence with grace, fueled by gasoline and angst.
While he struggled to produce many projects in Hollywood since Paycheck and Windtalkers bombed, he has finally returned to the States to realize one of his most avant-garde films yet. What can audiences expect from this Death Wish-esque revenge epic? Find out in this Silent Night review!
Silent Night (2023)
Production Company: Thunder Road Films, Capstone Studios, A Better Tomorrow Films
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Director: John Woo
Release Date: December 1, 2023
For a while, it seemed like Woo had only been accustomed to making large-scale productions, but Silent Night is much more intimate and smaller than he is known for.
The stakes are much lower compared to the likes of Hard Boiled or The Killer. Silent Night might not have a hundred gangbangers exploding like overripe pineapples, but it’s still Woo cranking the dial to eleven, even if it’s on a tiny amp.
Woo traded in his bazooka for a switchblade, but that blade’s still dripping with enough vengeance to stain the Vatican white. The hero’s not saving the world, he’s carving his bloody redemption out of the underbelly of Texas, fueled by grief and whiskey.
Driven by unimaginable grief after his son becomes a tragic casualty in a gangland shooting, family man Godlock (Joel Kinnamon) embarks on a relentless pursuit of vengeance against the rival gangs. The prologue is a whirlwind of adrenaline, culminating in a dramatic confrontation that leaves all but one member of the opposing group alive.
Godlock is gravely injured, sustaining a gunshot to the neck that renders him mute for the remainder of the film. He battles his depression while his poor wife struggles to carry on with the grief of losing her son while also coping with the crumbling sanity of her husband.
John Woo masters the art of pacing in Silent Night. He intuitively understands that audiences need a strong emotional anchor to connect with characters, especially in a film nearly devoid of dialogue. Instead of relying on spoken words, Woo and Kinnamon paint a powerful portrait of grief and vengeance through raw, visceral action and expressive silence.
While a few faint utterances flicker like embers in the darkness, there are no conventional conversations, forcing the viewer to delve deeper into the protagonist’s unspoken turmoil. He proves that silence can be a powerful tool, amplifying the emotional impact of every scene and drawing the audience into a shared experience of grief, anger, and ultimately, catharsis.
The title, Silent Night, holds a double meaning. It not only evokes the ironic backdrop of Christmas Eve but also reflects the film’s silent cinematic language. Stripped bare of superfluous dialogue, Woo returns to the fundamental essence of storytelling, where actions speak louder than words.
Godlock’s transformation from grieving father to vengeful fury as he trains his body for a year, each brutal exercise a silent promise of retribution. Through sweat, grit, and the steely glint in his eyes, Woo masterfully conveys the intensity of his protagonist’s inner struggle.
Silent Night steps away from John Woo’s signature bombast, offering a more grounded revenge tale. While the film echoes the expectations of classic vigilante narratives, it subverts them through unexpected turns and consequences. However, some of these choices rely on character decisions that might feel forced, hindering the viewer’s immersion in the story.
One instance that raises eyebrows is Godlock’s interrogation of a captured gang leader. Leaving a weapon within reach seems like an invitation to disaster, and as predicted, the hero makes a rash move that fuels the tension further. This predictability can feel jarring, undercutting the film’s attempt to deconstruct the genre’s tropes.
Surprisingly, the gunshot wounds rely on cheap-looking CGI blood which is uncharacteristic for Woo. His prior films were gritty and brutal with gushing, explosive squibs that were on par with the likes of Paul Verhoven‘s oeuvre.
The CGI blood fails to look convincing and may have been used so that they can be removed in case the filmmakers want to release a PG-13 version for TV.
On the positive side, Silent Night‘s commitment to realism shines in its portrayal of injuries. Gone are the days of invincible protagonists brushing off bullet wounds. Whether it’s a bloody wipeout or Godlock’s Kevlar-reinforced car taking real hits, the film emphasizes the physical and emotional toll of violence.
This grounded approach adds depth to the characters and their struggles, even if it occasionally clashes with the expected thrills of a revenge story. Woo does know when to stretch the laws of reality to get the best emotional payoff for the story, but it can come off as forced at times.
The film’s conclusion veers into emotionally charged territory, creating a stark contrast with the preceding acts of brutal violence. This stark shift, amplified by the use of sentimental music and overly idealized imagery, might leave viewers perplexed.
While the intended tone likely leans towards dramatic and impactful, the juxtaposition of brutal realism with elements reminiscent of Hallmark greeting cards could be misconstrued as satirical.
It’s crucial to distinguish between intentional mockery and unintended dissonance. Silent Night isn’t a snarky wink at action movies. It’s trying to be tragic, brutal, and heartwarming all at once, like a three-legged unicorn tap-dancing on nitro.
However, the jarring shift in tone at the climax, accentuated by the incongruous imagery and music is a head-scratcher, a gut-punch, and a giggle fit all rolled into one.
Silent Night was reviewed with a digital streaming license purchased by Niche Gamer. You can find additional information about Niche Gamer’s review/ethics policy here. Silent Night is now available via Vudu.
