Is Silence Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Silence is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 161 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Silence Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2016, Silence emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, History domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of In the 17th century, two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to Japan in an attempt to locate their mentor, who is rumored to have committed apostasy, and to propagate Catholicism. Unlike standard genre fare, Silence attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a refreshing take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Silence features a noteworthy lineup led by Andrew Garfield . Supported by the likes of Adam Driver and Liam Neeson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Silence (2016) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.1/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Silence Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Silence is a Drama, History film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. In the 17th century, two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to Japan in an attempt to locate their mentor, who is rumored to have committed apostasy, and to propagate Catholicism. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's themes.
Thematic Depth
The film delves into universal human experiences—love, loss, identity, and belonging. It holds up a mirror to society, asking difficult questions about morality, choice, and consequence.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the filmmakers' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Silence Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Silence resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Silence reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Silence Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Silence draws heavily from documented historical records. As a drama, history film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: Silence adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Silence?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Silence Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $46.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $23.8M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Silence Budget
The estimated production budget for Silence is $46.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Silence
- Andrew Garfield – Rodrigues
- Adam Driver – Garupe
- Liam Neeson – Ferreira
- Tadanobu Asano – Interpreter
- Ciarán Hinds – Father Valignano
Top Highlights
Andrew GarfieldRodrigues
Adam DriverGarupe
Liam NeesonFerreira
Tadanobu AsanoInterpreter
Ciarán HindsFather Valignano
Issey OgataOld Samurai / Inoue
Shinya TsukamotoMokichi
Yoshi OidaIchizo
Yosuke KubozukaKichijiro
Kaoru EndōUnzen Samurai (Uneme)
Where to Watch Silence Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
fuboTV
Paramount+ Amazon Channel🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Silence is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.1/10, and global collection metrics, Silence stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2016 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Silence movie hit or flop?
Silence is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.1/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Drama, History movies.
Is Silence worth watching?
Yes, Silence is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Drama, History cinema.
Where can I watch Silence online?
Silence is currently available for streaming on fuboTV. You can also check for it on platforms like fuboTV, Paramount+ Amazon Channel depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Silence
**_Great filmmaking, cast and locations, but strangely inert (overlong) story_** Released in late 2016 and directed by Martin Scorsese based on the novel by Shûsaku Endô, "Silence" chronicles events in 1640 when two Jesuit priests (Andrew Garfield & Adam Driver) journey to Japan to check on the persecuted church and find out what happened to their mentor, whom it is rumored fell from the faith (Liam Neeson). Issei Ogata is on hand as the sadistic, but seemingly reasonable Japanese inquisitor. The Jesuits were a society of Catholic missionaries started in 1540 in response to the spreading evangelism of the Protestant reformers. They were an essential part of the Roman counter-Reformation. With this in mind, the seeming Christianity portrayed in the movie is decidedly Catholic in nature, with the requisite unbiblical stuff, like confessions to priests, icons, rosary beads, etc. In tone and theme, "Silence" is reminiscent of movies like the excellent "Black Robe" (1991), the solid "The Mission" (1986) and the surprisingly great "Black Death" (see my review). There are also elements of "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957). If you appreciate any of these films you might appreciate "Silence," but it didn't work for me. Sure, Scorsese is a great auteur and so the filmmaking is top-of-the-line – the cinematography, the cast, the costuming, locations and score. Unfortunately, the story's not compelling and I never connected with the main character, despite Garfield's quality performance. There's some worthy mindfood (or spiritfood) to glean from the proceedings, however, like: Why does God allow the excruciating persecution of His faithful? Why is He silent? IS He silent? Can a believer be restored after cowardly denying the Lord in the face of torture/death? Can a Christian hide their faith while living in a thoroughly hostile culture? But I didn't buy for a second that the Japanese couldn't conceive of a Deity that transcends physical nature, like the sun, sea or mountain. While the idea may have been alien to their communal mindset at the time, it's absurd to think that no individual man or woman could discern the obvious (see Psalm 19:1 & Romans 1:20). Although I'm sorta glad I saw it, "Silence" is curiously dull and overlong; and so I never care to see it again. There are far superior movies that tackle similar topics. Those who give it the highest possible rating must be fanatical devotees of Scorsese. The movie runs 161 minutes and was shot in Taiwan and the Cathedral Of Saint Paul In Macau, China. GRADE: C-
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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