Sound of Violence

Sound of Violence is a captivating 2021 horror-thriller film directed and written by Alex Noyer, starring the potent trio of Jasmin Savoy Brown, Lili Simmons, and James Jagger. The narrative unfolds a thrilling storyline interweaved with music and terror, evoking a symphony of horror-loaded sentiments among viewers.

The film's protagonist is the talented Alexis, portrayed by Jasmin Savoy Brown, renowned for her roles in buzzworthy TV series such as The Leftovers and For the People. A former child of deaf parents, Alexis suffers from a horrifying trauma early in her life, which paradoxically spawns her love for music. Saved by a vivid synesthetic perception after a life-altering experience, she can see and feel sounds in colors and shapes. This profound loss triggers an unconventional condition called synaesthesia, which allows her to visualize sounds as vibrant and fluctuating colors.

Haunted by her past and driven by her obsession with music, Alexis pursues music therapy, creating a perfect blend of music and horror. Her passion takes a grotesque turn as she develops a dark infatuation for manipulating sounds sourced from violent acts and human sufferings. She becomes possessed by an insatiable compulsion to capture each unique sound wave that the brutality unravels, all in her relentless quest for the perfect audio sensory canvas.

The character of Alexis is supported by her best friend and roommate Marie, played by Lili Simmons, known for her roles in Bone Tomahawk and Banshee. As Alexis falls deeper into her vicious audial fascination, her bonds with Marie and the world around her begin to deteriorate rapidly.

James Jagger, known for his portrayal in The Outpost and Vinyl, makes a significant contribution to the film's narrative, adding another layer of suspense and tension to the plot. However, the story always dwells in the realm of Alexis’ obsession, shaping a thrilling narrative of enthralling horror and suspense.

The unsettling relationship between music and violence forms the groundbreaking backdrop of this complex narrative. Sound of Violence treads a fine balance of psychological suspense with gory horror. The film not only thrives on its gruesome action sequences but also brilliantly uses sound design to construct an unnerving atmosphere, channeling an intense rhythm of anticipation and dread throughout.

The direction by Noyer is excellent, as he cleverly uses the intense and strategic layering of sound effects to amplify the cinematic experience exponentially. More than visually seeing the gore and violence, viewers are made to hear it, which uneasily pervades throughout the senses. This innovative approach to storytelling profoundly intensifies the viewing experience, making this film stand out among conventional horror thrillers.

The look and feel of the film are spectacularly visceral. The sound design, cinematography, and the vivid portrayal of a synesthetic experience through careful color grading make for a thrilling, immersive watch. The sound effects and thumping score woven into the film function not merely as background – they are integral to the storyline, the characters, and the atmosphere invoked, supplying the movie with a petrifying sheen.

An innovative exploration of sound, fear, and sensory overload, Sound of Violence is a sensory horror that will resonate with fans of psychological thrillers and experimental horror. It's a revitalizing change from the typical horror narrative, employing unique storytelling mechanisms that deliver a refreshing aesthetic terror, rooted in a fascination with gory soundscape and synesthetic experiences.

The compelling performances, particularly by Jasmin Savoy Brown, the hauntingly immersive sound design, and the explorative narrative combining music and violence make Sound of Violence a watch-worthy addition to the 2021 thrille-rhorror cinematic landscape. However, its graphic and intense nature can make it a challenging watch for the faint-hearted. The movie stretches the boundaries of traditional horror and will persistently haunt your senses, long after it has finished its unsettling symphony of horror.