Genre : Horror/Suspenseful

Duration : 1h 38m

Don’t Listen is an intriguing Spanish horror film directed by Angel Gomez Hernandez. Like most of the horror thriller, the film had the spooky base of a Haunted House and a family moving in to start a new life. However, Don’t Listen primarily focus on the voices which the victims hear before they fall into the death trap. For optimum experience, i would suggest using a great pair of headsets as the movie’s essence will be doubled because of it’s brilliant sound design. More than the unexpected jump scares the sound design will give you a hard blow and chills .

The film revolves around the family – Daniel, Sara and Eric and later the paranormal researcher German and his daughter Ruth join in the second half. Though the plot remind us the hallmark Conjuring set up, it still show its difference in presenting the tense moments of the supernatural powers. Director mostly depend on the eerie feeling and unsettling moments which are elevated through sound design rather than showing gore visuals and bloodshed.

This Spanish horror manages to remain fully engaging and suspenseful till the end. Even the jump scares are used in the right moment and it does not look cheap. Though it is predictable the elements and objects involved in the jump scares is quite different compared to the regular horror thriller. For instance, when walkie talkie beeps it surely gives an unsettling and eerie feeling for the audience.

Cinematography is top notch right from the beginning. The film opens with the wide top angle shot which shows the red ball floating on a murky swimming pool. Special effects and VFX are used appropriately to go with the gripping screenplay. Special mention for the Sound designing team for their impeccable efforts which elevates the film to an all new level. Even the smallest of sound detailing such as door screeching sound, torch click sound , devil’s talk on the walkie talkie or even the housebee eerie effect, the sound effects are perfectly captured and blend well with the visuals.

Actually, the film picks up the pace when the paranormal activity begins with Researcher German and his daughter. Before these characters were introduced, it was only the regular jump scares and scary screams on a predictable screenplay. After German starts exploring the power of the supernatural elements, it was very gripping and satisfying for a edge of a seat thriller.

Overall, Don’t Listen is a regular templated horror flick but with the brilliant sound effects and production design it will definitely give a bone chilling effect on a horror thrill ride.