Mike Flanagan continues to be one of the most unique directors working in the horror genre today, forging forward into the world of Stephen King once more with Prime Video reboot Carrie, and a new Dark Tower series. Back in 2016, Netflix released an interesting addition to Flanagan’s filmography in the form of intense home invasion horror/thriller, Hush. Until now, that unique, pulse-pounding title was only available to stream. There was never a theatrical release. Now, Scream Factory has worked their magic, bringing Hush’s brilliance home to own on a 4K collector’s edition set. Not only are the special features a wealth of riches, this 4-disc set also includes a brand new, arguably superior version of the film called the “Shush Cut.” Unmask an underrated 2010s gem and try to survive the night with Mike Flanagan’s Hush.
Right off the bat, I must disclose that I did not have a chance to revisit the original cut of Hush. At the moment, it exists only in memory; however, I loved the film upon first viewing. Expertly using sound and believable scenarios, Hush helped to cement Flanagan’s voice not long after the masterful Oculus. All these years later, the chance at viewing it through a fresh lens was too irresistible to pass up. Realized in stunning black and white, stripping away the original score and emphasizing a completely remixed sound design, the “Shush Cut” gives a completely different feel—and creeping sense of terror—to the whole experience. Somehow, it evolves into an even more textured and altogether immersive horror extravaganza. Anchoring the macabre is a vulnerable performance from Flanagan’s wife and frequent collaborator, Kate Siegel (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass), as deaf author, Maddie.
An introduction from co-writers Siegel and Flanagan implores audiences to play this version very loud in the dark, and entirely free from distractions. I was happy to oblige. By immediately living in Maddie’s space with her and absorbing the sounds she herself cannot hear, Flanagan has us clinging to Maddie’s every movement. Maddie has hit writer’s block while working on her second novel. Her first, Mass, seems to have been a moderate success, adding even further pressure on a sophomore outing. In the midst of writing and rewriting ending after ending, holed up in her secluded home deep within the woods, Maddie does not realize that a masked invader has brought his reign of terror right to her doorstep. Playing this villain is baby-faced Spring Awakening alum, John Gallagher Jr., adding an extra freaky layer to his performance after he willingly unmasks himself about halfway into Hush. Maddie pleads that she has not seen his face and will tell no one about that night—he then proceeds to remove the ghostly white mask from his face. If that is not textbook psychopath, I don’t know how else to classify the behavior.
A singe location movie is tough to keep from eventually getting stale or boring without a change of scenery. Thankfully, Flanagan and Siegel maximize every inch of the property’s space. Maddie’s reactions and fight for survival are always believable in the face of this sadistic villain. The cast is only just barely bigger than the amount of locations we see, being practically a two-hander for the majority of the runtime. Maddie’s neighbors—a cute couple, one of whom is a close friend and fan of Maddie’s writing—eventually come into the fray. Sarah (Sarah Sloyan, Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher) and her husband, John (Michael Trucco, Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher), may only have one respective major scene each, but both are pretty important in the way the story unfolds. John’s confrontation with the killer is an edge-of-your-seat sequence with a brutal payoff.
I truly cannot overstate how great this new “Shush Cut” feels, making every noise a visceral part of the overall experience. This alternate approach shifts focus to the soundscape, and heightens everything. A crisp naturalism—from the whooshing of arrows to the bugs outside to the scraping of a blade across glass—fits the already-great movie like a glove, and adds further texture. Though it has been several years since my first viewing, the “Shush Cut” was akin to watching Hush anew. Supplemental materials detail exactly why this became Flanagan’s preferred cut, much closer to the way that he and Siegel had originally envisioned it. They even had to rethink their original ending involving the house burning down when it became clear they would be unable to accomplish something convincing on an indie budget. Instead, the finale morphed into a nail-biting cat-and-mouse pursuit that culminates in hornet spray to the eyes, disorientation from an alarm, and a corkscrew to the neck. Not too shabby for a film hatched during an oyster club date, eh?
The special features receive a disc all to themselves, containing interviews with every cast member, as well as Flanagan, producer Trevor Macy, and composer Taylor Stewart. At over thirty minutes in length, Flanagan’s interview is the most in-depth, exploring the inception of the project, and his meticulous methods role-playing with his wife to fine-tune the script. Kate charms in her segment, as she discloses that they prefer only to work with people they would want to have dinner with, who are humble and appreciative of the craft. John Gallagher Jr. laments being cast against type, initially unsure that Flanagan would want him to be the film’s killer. Overall, I learned a hell of a lot just from the batch of interviews, without even getting into any commentary tracks. A horror classic that will undoubtedly stand the test of time no doubt deserves a stellar home video release, and thankfully, Scream Factory gives us exactly that.
Embrace the silence with Hush, now on 4K Blu-Ray Collector’s Edition disc.
