WHAT’S IT ABOUT
Trapped on a collapsing bridge, survivors of a massive car pile-up find themselves in a fight for their lives against a mysterious creature.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
In Project Silence, cars accumulate in a dense fog on a collapsing bridge leading to the airport, amplifying the tension as chaos ensues. As the structure begins to disintegrate, a truck carrying genetically altered, lethal dogs from the military’s “Project Silence” also gets caught on the bridge, releasing the vicious creatures. Dr. Yang (Kim Hee-Won), the mastermind behind these experiments, is entangled in the ensuing catastrophe. Among the survivors are Jo Park (Ju Ji-Hoon), a tow truck driver, and Jung-Won (Lee Sun-Kyun), a government official, along with his daughter Kyung-Min (Kim Su-An). Together, they become unwitting participants in a deadly conspiracy when the highly aggressive and intelligent hounds, programmed to kill, are unleashed on the bridge, targeting anyone in their path. The survivors must navigate the unfolding horrors as the bridge crumbles beneath them. Despite the snarling beasts, the film’s menacing tone falters. The dogs’ transformation from docile to deadly feels more absurd than frightening, undermining the tension. With clear inspirations from films like Train to Busan and Final Destination, Project Silence had the potential to be a gripping thrill ride. However, it feels like a shallow imitation, plagued by subpar CGI that fails to carry the weight of its action-heavy narrative. The film’s reliance on visual effects is its undoing; had it embraced its low-budget charm and leaned into more creative horror elements, it might have stood out. This quasi-disaster film isn’t a total failure, though. The initial setup, with a fog-shrouded bridge disintegrating under the weight of mounting terror, is genuinely thrilling. Unfortunately, weak character development and the premature reveal of the monsters diminish the impact. The atmospheric setting, rich with potential for suspense, is overshadowed by laughable dialogue, distracting CGI, and a plot that tries too hard to be taken seriously when it should’ve embraced its absurdity. The film’s attempts at realism clash with its outlandish premise, leaving it disjointed and unconvincing. The story, while engaging, fails to answer critical questions, particularly regarding the dogs’ origins and motivations. The references to Cha’s wife are vague, leaving the audience wanting more depth. While the CGI is impressive, especially in scenes depicting the bridge’s collapse and the ferocious hounds, it can’t compensate for the film’s narrative shortcomings. The eerie silence and dense fog create an effective horror atmosphere. Still, the lack of distinct character personalities weakens the story. The plot loses momentum after setting up an intriguing premise, culminating in a predictable climax. Lee Sun-Kyun delivers a solid performance as the government official caught in the chaos, bringing a sense of gravity to his role. However, Ju Ji-Hoon steals the show as Jo Park, infusing the film with much-needed comic relief. Project Silence offers an enjoyable experience but quickly fades from memory once the credits roll. It could’ve been a memorable disaster flick if it fully embraced its absurdity and leaned into a more satirical tone. Instead, it misses too many marks, resulting in a forgettable, lackluster blockbuster that fails to live up to its potential as a sci-fi action horror film in the vein of Bong Joon-ho’s The Host.
OUR RATING – A DOGGIE-DISH 5