The Sound

The Sound (2017)
Horror, Mystery, Thriller | 29 September 2017 (USA)

Synopsis: Kelly (Rose McGowan) is a writer and a skeptic of the supernatural. As a specialist in acoustic physics she uses low frequency tactile sound-waves to debunk reported paranormal activities for her online blog. When presented a new case of a supposedly haunted subway station Kelly sets off to uncover the truth behind the hoax that involves a 40-year-old unexplained suicide. Her investigation takes her deep into the abandoned station where her skepticism is tested. As Kelly ascends into the depths of the metro’s darkness she is confronted by an unforeseen evil. In the vastness, she must face her own haunted memories to find the truth and surface back into the light.

Review: These movies have been done numerous times before so the thing that attracted me initially was the cast. I was very intrigued to see Rose McGowan and especially Christopher Lloyd in a horror film. I hoped for at least an original story arch and some genre worthy effects. I got both but sadly they came entrenched in a convoluted script partnered with confusing characters. THE SOUND is not sound in more ways than one. (More review below)

The movie starts off solid as we see Kelly (McGowan) in her natural habitat debunking paranormal activity. We learn she is a succesful author and blogger who has made a reputation as one not afraid of ghosts; mainly because she swears they do not exist. When she receives a mysterious online message about a 40 year old haunted subway station in Toronto she drops everything and heads off.

The setting of an abandoned train station is creepy and lends itself to a lot of backstory and shadowy corners. But again nothing too imaginative. Where the story hooks you is in the idea about sound frequency and how certain levels can cause hallucinations. Kelly measures sound waves and that clues her in on what can cause people to think there is paranormal activity going on. I actually googled some of the technical terms used in the film and they are legit. Nothing quite like what the movie portrays but scientists do say that sub audible sounds can cause dizziness, depression, and anxiety. Who knew? So I appreciated that element of the story and how different it made Kelly’s motives compared to other ghost movies.

Where the movie gets more ghastly than ghostly is when it tries to explain what is going on down there and why Kelly starts having the visions she does. None of it makes sense and the plot holes get cavernous. One character in particular should be an important answer but instead becomes the biggest question. I really thought maybe I had dozed off or the movie had edited out a vital conversation. It is that nonsensical.

It is a shame that the script is that bad. The effects and visuals are top notch and the acting believable. What could have been a fantastic haunting instead debunks itself with a lack of direction.