A Refreshing Take on Horror Tropes
When you ask a horror fan for their favorite work from director Mike Flanagan, they’ll probably point right to The Haunting of Hill House or Midnight Mass. Flanagan’s suspenseful psychological horror-thriller Hush, now 10 years old, shakes up horror tropes in a way that can surprise seasoned scare seekers.
Anyone on a steady diet of horror films knows about the Final Girl — a trope where the last woman standing either escapes or confronts the masked killer. She’s bruised, battered, and forever changed by her harrowing experience. Hush introduces its own final girl with Maddie Young (Kate Siegel), whose life takes a terrifying turn when a masked man appears at her door after murdering her friend.
Subverting Expectations
What sets Maddie apart is that she is Deaf and non-verbal, as a result of contracting meningitis at age 13. The film delivers a tense and spine-chilling horror experience that resonates deeply. As someone diagnosed with auditory processing disorder in my mid-20s, I find Maddie's story particularly compelling.
The depiction of disability in horror often falls short. Characters may be portrayed as burdens or their disabilities used to justify their doom, such as Carlos in Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare. Yet, Flanagan’s approach shows Maddie leading a typical life, seen in the early scenes where she cooks dinner, responds to texts, and expresses frustration. These moments, initially filled with sound, transform into silence when viewed from her perspective, setting the tone for the film's unique narrative style.
The Power of Perspective
Maddie is portrayed as sharp and capable. Even when she burns her food, her fire alarm is designed to alert her through vibrations, showcasing adaptability in her life. As the plot unfolds, the very needs that define her character turn the tables on her masked adversary.
Despite some controversy surrounding Maddie's Deafness and its portrayal, it serves as a fascinating twist to the Final Girl trope. Typically, Final Girls are known for their screams and defiance. Maddie embodies this spirit, yet viewers experience her struggle in silence, paralleling her own inability to hear. Much of Hush relies on sparse dialogue, which heightens tension and keeps the audience on edge.
A Human Experience
Maddie’s defiance shines through as she uses her own blood to taunt the masked man, a moment just as thrilling as any traditional horror climax. Flanagan ensures that while Maddie is competent, she is not infallible. When the masked man attacks, she bleeds just like any other Final Girl. Her mistakes have real consequences. This human aspect makes Maddie’s character relatable and grounded in a genre that often overlooks the complexity of disabled characters.
With its innovative take on the Final Girl trope and its powerful portrayal of disability, Hush stands out as a compelling work within modern horror. The film is not just a gripping watch; it also provides a fresh perspective that encourages viewers to rethink conventional narrative elements.
Hush is currently available to stream on Shudder, Pluto TV, Tubi, and PLEX, making it a must-watch for both horror aficionados and newcomers.
