“The Unheard” may be better off unseen.

• “The Unheard” by Jeffrey A. Brown follows Chloe, a young woman undergoing experimental surgery searching for closure regarding her mother’s disappearance, only to uncover a dark history of missing women in the town.
• Unfortunately, the execution of the strong premise falls short due to an underwhelming performance from Lachlan Watson and inconsistent tones in the movie.
• Michael Rasmussen and Shawn Rasmussen attempt to intertwine two parallel narratives but fail to add suspense or achieve an effective rhythm.
• The visuals are drab and lack vibrancy, while some scenes appear blurry or hazy.
• Nevertheless, sound design plays an effective role in immersing viewers in Chloe’s world.
• Ultimately, stilted acting and a clunky script lead to a dull ending, making “The Unheard” better off unseen.

In “The Unheard” by Jeffrey A. Brown, a young woman’s past trauma and present-day terror collide in a quiet town. Chloe, seeking to repair her hearing through a clinical trial, returns to her father’s house, hoping to find closure regarding her mother’s disappearance. However, she soon discovers a dark history of missing women in the town. As Chloe delves into her past, she hears voices and sounds that no one else can listen to.

While “The Unheard” has its moments, it falls short in several areas. The execution of the strong premise needs to be more convincing. The leading role, played by Lachlan Watson, requires more impact and suspense than the movie aims for due to an underwhelming performance. The film’s inconsistent tone and poorly staged moments also lessen its overall impact, resulting in some eye rolls and groans from viewers.

Screenwriters Michael Rasmussen and Shawn Rasmussen intertwine two parallel narratives in the film – one of a young woman undergoing experimental surgery and another of a haunted town. However, these story threads sometimes blend, with plot twists being given away or forced, and some scenes focusing too much on nostalgia rather than building towards something greater. The movie’s rhythm feels off-beat.

Despite the supernatural influence of cassette tapes, the visual portrayal of Chloe’s world is drab and lacks the vibrant fall colors associated with New England. Some scenes appear blurry or hazy, while others have an aged and sepia-toned look, almost resembling a period piece. Lead actress Lachlan Watson’s performance as Chloe fails to capture the intrigue of her character’s circumstances fully. Supporting characters also feel one-dimensional.

However, Brown effectively uses sound to immerse the audience in Chloe’s world, creating a sense of realism and demonstrating her experiences. The work of sound designer Colin Alexander and the sound department is commendable in making the movie work. Unfortunately, the lackluster visuals, stilted acting, and clunky script detract from the film, leading to a dull ending. “The Unheard” may be better off unseen.