Noise in the Middle

Noise in the Middle is a haunting and mysterious film that revolves around Richard, a grieving widowed father, and his mute autistic daughter, Emmie. Following the sudden death of his wife Sarah, Richard falls apart emotionally but attempts to find common ground with his isolated child as they try navigating their desolated existence. Tara Buck delivers an unerring portrayal of the late wife's character while Jim Holmes and Faye Hostetter bring the fragile father-daughter relationship to life.

The film, set in the suburban midwest, draws viewers into its chilling ambiance from the first scene. The loss of Sarah has left a gap in the family that seems impossible to fill. Richard spirals into isolation. Heartbroken, he is unable to connect with Emmie due to her condition that restricts her communication abilities. Emmie's character is compelling, creating an inescapable tension as the storyline unfolds. Her overbearing silence coupled with her father's desperate denial paints a heartrending picture of a family struggling to keep it together.

Richard decides to seek help from a unique source when traditional therapies fail to show any improvement in Emmie's communication skills. He introduces an experimental therapy, "Autocom," to track Emmie's erratic behaviour and hopefully peel back the layers of her muted world. This controversial technology is known to use artificial intelligence to suggest interpretive responses that Emmie can understand and interact with, giving it the potential of acting as a communicative bridge between Richard and his daughter.

Throughout the movie, the relationships between Richard, Emmie and Sarah are unraveled gradually, accentuating their longing for each other and the necessity of connection in their lives. Emmie's character is portrayed with sensitivity and respect for the challenges that individuals and families living with autism may face. She has a delicate, silent strength about her that is both intense and intriguing, making her a character that audiences can empathize with.

As the movie progresses, we start to understand how Emmie experiences her world - everything she encounters comes with a heightened sensory experience. The movie explores these experiences in a way that elicits feelings of empathy from viewers, further personalizing the story. As the Autocom starts to take effect in her life, it becomes increasingly intertwined with the narrative, creating a sense of suspension that the audience is privy to; uncertain, yet eagerly awaiting the unfolding outcome.

Unexpectedly, as Richard tries to delve into his daughter's enigmatic world with the help of the Autocom, strange occurrences begin to take place. A series of mysterious noises pervade their peaceful suburban home. Richard is baffled by these noises, leaving him to question the nature of his reality. The subtle supernatural layer adds an extra thrill to the plot, making the audience question whether Emmie's therapy is causing these occurrences or if perhaps, a vulnerable Emmie is merely perceiving their ordinary world differently.

In addition to the engaging storyline, Noise in the Middle strikes an impressive balance between suspense and drama. Each character has been portrayed with great depth that speaks volumes of the actors' capacities. Tara Buck as the late Sarah provides a haunting presence to the movie, and Jim Holmes as Richard puts forward a stellar performance of a father who is struggling but resilient. Faye Hostetter, who plays Emmie, manages to evoke deep emotions without uttering a single word.

The filmmakers also pay commendable attention to the film's atmosphere. The locations, lighting, and score work together to form a captivating and, at times, unsettling environment. The suspenseful silences and the sudden increase in tempo at crucial moments instantly grab the audience’s attention, bringing them further into the intriguing narrative. The Autocom, a silent yet pivotal character, brings a sense of eerie realism to the movie, providing a glimpse into the possibilities and perils of relying too heavily on technology.

Overall, Noise in the Middle is a thrilling narrative infused with an empathetic look at a family grappling with loss and a communication barrier. The film effectively portrays the challenges of living with autism amidst the loss of a loved one and the eerie and unexpected twist that manages to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. It is less of a traditional horror film and more of a suspense-driven exploration of grief, communication, and the lengths one will go to understand and connect with a loved one.