Return to Silent Hill review: Visually striking but empty horror sequel

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If you’ve been looking forward to Return to Silent Hill as a fan of the classic games, you might be disappointed. Sadly, this movie adaptation doesn’t live up to expectations and likely would have been better left unmade.

For years, movies based on video games were known for being poorly made. Remember the 1993 Super Mario Bros. film – often criticized, though it’s gained a following over time? Or how about the Doom movie that nobody remembers, or Alone in the Dark, which was so bad it became unintentionally funny? These were common examples of the genre’s struggles.

For a long time, adapting video games into good movies was considered impossible. However, shows like The Last of Us and Fallout have recently proven that it can be done. Silent Hill falls somewhere in between – the 2006 movie, directed by Christophe Gans, didn’t have a perfect story, but it did a great job of recreating the dark and unsettling feeling of the games.

The second Silent Hill movie, Revelation, didn’t do as well as the first. Director Christophe Gans had been planning a sequel since the original film, so there was optimism that Return to Silent Hill would revive the series, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations.

What is Return to Silent Hill about?

This horror movie is inspired by the 2001 video game Silent Hill 2. It centers on James Sunderland, an artist who returns to the town of Silent Hill after receiving a puzzling letter from Mary Crane, a woman he lost touch with. However, he discovers the town is now a desolate, ash-covered landscape.

I’m totally hooked on this game! You play as James, and it’s just… unsettling. He’s walking through these empty streets, and he keeps running into other people who seem just as lost as he is. But it’s not just people – seriously creepy monsters are everywhere! The further you go, the more things just start to… fall apart, like reality itself is breaking down. It’s a really messed up, but amazing, experience.

The main problem with this story is that players unfamiliar with the Silent Hill games will likely find it confusing. After a short introduction to James’s backstory, the game quickly throws you into the frightening and bizarre world of Silent Hill.

Okay, so I just jumped into this game and it’s crazy. It’s throwing everything at you – mannequins, gravestones, even radios playing classical music! And then Creepers show up, plus this creepy ghost girl… It feels like a bunch of random game stuff just thrown in without any real story to tie it all together, and honestly, it’s getting hard to figure out what’s going on.

The movie’s nearly two-hour runtime unfolds as a strange and dreamlike experience, but unfortunately doesn’t deliver the scary, intense horror I expected. This approach weakens the emotional impact and eliminates any sense of suspense.

Faithful to the games but missing the point

Recent video game adaptations, such as The Last of Us and Arcane, have proven that simply recreating a game isn’t enough to make a good show. These successes come from building on the game’s story and focusing on well-developed characters. This approach creates shows that are enjoyable for both people new to the story and longtime fans.

It’s especially disappointing that the Silent Hill series hasn’t been adapted well, because the games have so much potential. What makes them great is the way they gradually create a sense of fear through engaging gameplay. However, a movie or show needs compelling characters and a clear storyline to really capture that same feeling.

Return to Silent Hill doesn’t fully develop its characters. While the game shows glimpses of James and Mary’s past, it doesn’t explore their personalities in depth. The other characters feel like simple stereotypes, meant to drive the plot, but ultimately making the story feel empty.

The writing isn’t strong, and some of the dialogue is painfully awkward – it’s almost as bad as the famously terrible movie The Room.

What the horror movie gets right

The actors in Return to Silent Hill clearly put in a lot of work. Jeremy Irvine does his best as James Sunderland, even though the script doesn’t give him much to work with. Hannah Emily Anderson also delivers a committed performance as Mary, despite her character being underdeveloped.

While some of the computer-generated effects aren’t great – the Creepers especially look less polished than they did in the original 2006 film – the movie still excels with its overall look and the design of its creatures.

Some of the new monsters are truly creepy, and the updated version of the famous nurse scene successfully captures what made it so memorable in the first place.

The game convincingly captures the atmosphere of fog, ash, and general decay. However, despite clearly understanding what makes Silent Hill a compelling place, the creator struggles to build a strong narrative around it, even after two decades.

Is Return to Silent Hill good?

Return to Silent Hill looks good, but it prioritizes mimicking the original games rather than capturing what made them truly effective. It’s more about style than meaningful content.

This psychological horror film lacks a strong story and believable characters, making it neither frightening nor intellectually stimulating.

The new movie Return to Silent Hill is now playing in theaters. You can also find information on other films currently in cinemas, a list of the best new streaming releases, and our picks for the greatest horror movies of all time.

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2026-01-23 21:50