Silent Fall

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Silent Fall

R

1994

1h 41m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

29%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

38%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Having seen the murder of his parents, autistic youth Tim Warden (Ben Faulkner) is sent to therapy with Dr. Jake Rainer (Richard Dreyfuss). Jake tries to talk with the silent child about what he saw, but he gets more details about the Wardens' household dynamics from Tim's teenage sister, Sylvie (Liv Tyler). As he spends more time with the siblings, Jake learns that the Wardens' marriage was not as perfect as it seemed, and he uncovers other new details that might help solve the crime.

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Sheila Johnston

Independent (UK)

Mar 29, 2019

As a thriller, it's a dead loss, mainly due to a dearth of suspects - this film must have had the lowest extras budget of last year.

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

Feb 1, 2007

C-

Poorly scripted by Akiva Goldsman, this murder mystery (helmed by Bruce Beresford) represents an awkward synthesis of autism and family abuse as social problems, failing to deliver suspense or excitement on any level.

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Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

Beresford draws the best from a fine cast. Only when he tries to up the thrill quotient near the end are the contrivances of Akiva Goldsman's debut script revealed, like cracks in the smooth surface of a frozen lake.

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

Mar 10, 2022

2.5/4

As long as it sticks to relationships, Silent Fall is above average. It's only when it tries to become a standard murder mystery that it becomes ordinary.

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Caffeinated Clint

Moviehole

Aug 17, 2008

3/5

A tense and terrific thriller. Tyler is a standout.

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Enrique Buchichio

Uruguay Total

Mar 11, 2003

3/5

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Kevin R

@Kevin199 Oct 10, 2026

Pretty underrated thriller. Flawed but intriguing with some twists and turns. The dynamic between the autistic 9-year-old kid and the psychiatrist was really good. Liv Tyler’s performance in this is so excellent. Hard to believe she was only 16 in this movie. Movie has flaws like a lack of a number of possible suspects of who killed the parents which would whodunit pretty predictable and the inaccurate portrayal of autism. Very weird how a kid could perfectly mimic other people’s voices. What really saved this movie for me was the stellar cast and the performances.

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Apr 30, 2017

This movie is one that I have watched over and over again. A gripping storyline and thrilling drama, it entertains every time.

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May 25, 2012

An interesting mystery Drama about an autistic little boy who is the only Witness to the murder of his parents. The boy rarely speaks at all and when he does, he mimics the voice of another person. Its kinda weird and predictable but the movie is interesting enough to make you wanna watch it play out. Liv Tyler is really good in this aswell.

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Dec 10, 2011

Even if a bit predictable, the movie had some levels of suspense and intrigue attached to it. It was a good movie, not bad, great or excellent, but good.

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Nov 21, 2011

Not as bad as i was expecting. More like a tv movie really though.

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Nov 3, 2011

Lack of complexity and depth to be a truly entertaining whodunit.

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Bruce Beresford

Director

Richard Dreyfuss

Dr. Jake Rainer

Linda Hamilton

Karen Rainer

John Lithgow

Dr. Rene Harlinger

J.T. Walsh

Sheriff Mitch Rivers

Ben Faulkner

Tim Warden

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TRAILER

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Synopsis

Having seen the murder of his parents, autistic youth Tim Warden (Ben Faulkner) is sent to therapy with Dr. Jake Rainer (Richard Dreyfuss). Jake tries to talk with the silent child about what he saw, but he gets more details about the Wardens' household dynamics from Tim's teenage sister, Sylvie (Liv Tyler). As he spends more time with the siblings, Jake learns that the Wardens' marriage was not as perfect as it seemed, and he uncovers other new details that might help solve the crime.

Director: Bruce Beresford
Producer: James G. Robinson
Screenwriter: Akiva Goldsman
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Morgan Creek Entertainment, Kouf/Bigelow Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 28, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 12, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.7M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround

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