When I watched this film last night, I knew almost from the beginning that I was watching a quality piece. Often, when it comes to low-budget features that isn't the case, and I am grateful for the look and feel of this film. Also, this is the story of a murder that happened long long ago, based on a true story. However, the story is not a well-known one. Often times movies that take on mysteries such as this are televised on shows like "Forensic Files" or are highly publicized crimes that are been dramatized for Hollywood. This one, however, is much smaller than that. It tells the story of young jealous love, and the the emotional aftermath that it can have on a family dynamic. Filmed on the south side of Chicago, the locations are appropriately gritty and working class. The acting and direction are solid, the script is detailed, and the narrative is never left me scratching my head. If true crime stories are your thing, there's a lot to like about this film.
14 Reviews
Family suspense drama
photo-859-40163130 July 2023
I enjoyed this film which is a family suspense drama based on true family stories. That's what hooked me and it's a slow build up to the conclusion but worth it although I had a feeling about who the "bad guy" was from their introduction. The lead actor is good as he uncovers family secrets but the supporting characters could have been developed more. I liked the cinematography and the overall look of the film, much more professional than other independent films of this genre. Editing could have been a little snappier to bring out the suspense but the noir-ish score is top notch and surprisingly jazzy in parts, which I loved.
Great Film Noir indie
csm107200013 December 2023
Based on true events, its an effective crime drama focusing on a documentary filmmaker who sets out to make his second feature investigating the decades old death of his uncle who may have been murdered. Written and co directed by Brad Podowski (and Dan Gremley), the film is paced well, acted by a strong ensemble with a nice subtle approach. As our filmmaker hero, lead Chris (what a great name, lol!), Michael Kunicki gives his role the right amount of nerdish determination to make him charming and likable. He's surrounded by a good ensemble cast. Podowski and Gremley make good use of the Chicago locations and the moody score by Raphael Dargent is a highlight. This is a stylish film noir whodunnit (set during one Christmas) and worth a look on Tubi.
A rather banal mystery case about jealousy with an unwanted outcome
clanciai12 May 2024
Graves are never silent, especially not if someone continues to put flowers on it 60 years after what was officially an accidental death, so naturally someone has to start digging about it, in this case a young enthusiast for noir films whose wife is expecting their first baby, while his interest in digging about the grave risks his marriage and family, since his wife just can't put up with competition from a grave that is not silent. Naturally he has to finish the job and keep digging even when threatened and beaten up by thugs, and finally gets some help by someone who has kept silent for too many years (60), and that's where the film becomes interesting. The first hour is a lost hour, nothing happens, while the last hour at last presents a case. As so often in such cases, when you get to know too much, it's no idea pushing it on any further, especially if your young wife will have that baby and you want to keep your family. Enough is enough.
Doc Filmmaker Explores Family Mystery
SGarrett496123 February 2024
Semi-fictional story about a documentary filmmaker who investigates details surrounding the mysterious death of a family member, his Uncle in 1960. This smart indie film has good pacing, is beautifully lit, and carries an evocative music score. Lead actor Michael Kunicki was very good in his portrayal of a husband with divided interests. I really enjoyed Isabella Alonso in her portrayal as his wife. Directors Brad Podowsky and Dan Gremley do an excellent job of placing you as viewer into lead character's shoes. Enjoyed villain turn by actor Antonio Ciano - believably scary. Definitely worth watching.
Classic Whodunit
dvkjrice30 July 2023
I enjoy discovering new, truly independent productions, often hit or miss, Silent as the Grave is a major hit.
A simple well-made film, classy, with fine directing, acting. Michael Kunicki is an outstanding lead for this film, a Hitchcockian hero.
The directors Messrs. Gremley and Podowski give the material an old school thriller, mystery feel to it, film noir.
The Christmas theme throughout is a nice touch, contrary to the scenes unfolding, kept my interest throughout. Nice twists and turns, wonderfully not predictable.
The fact this is based on a true, personal story makes it all the more remarkable.
My hat's off to all involved!
A simple well-made film, classy, with fine directing, acting. Michael Kunicki is an outstanding lead for this film, a Hitchcockian hero.
The directors Messrs. Gremley and Podowski give the material an old school thriller, mystery feel to it, film noir.
The Christmas theme throughout is a nice touch, contrary to the scenes unfolding, kept my interest throughout. Nice twists and turns, wonderfully not predictable.
The fact this is based on a true, personal story makes it all the more remarkable.
My hat's off to all involved!
Uncle Edgar's supposed freight elevator accident ain't as simple as it seems.
mettlesetdesigner19 January 2024
Silent as the Grave is a movie drenched in life's deep secrets. Uncle Edgar's supposed freight elevator accident ain't as simple as it seems. The vibe of this joint is next level, sucking you into a vortex of unease. Shadows and sounds murmuring in the background keep you on edge and anticipating the next bomb drop of family secrets. The pacing is what hooks you, the suspense and emotion between investigation and heart grabbing reveals, take you on a trip through a web of family ties that are complex. As the plot unfolds the truth drops and it leaves you shocked. So, if you're craving a journey that stirs your soul, "Silent as the Grave" is calling. Grab your popcorn and get ready for a maze of mystery and redemption.
Excellent Neo-Noir
directortim201228 July 2023
I've long been a fan of film noir and just recently finished reading Eddie Muller's "Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir." So when I saw the trailer for this neo-noir-esqe crime story, I just had to take a look. And I'm so glad I did. Silent as the Grave is about a documentary filmmaker with his own love of film noir. And his curiosity about a family mystery soon leads him into a real life crime story of his own. I won't spoil the plot, but it's fair to say as the mystery grows, so does the filmmakers sense of peril. This was a delicious crime-drama. And you don't have to be a noir fan like me to enjoy it. If you like a good, involving mystery with some dark family secrets, you'll get into this movie. I absolutely recommend it.
A well-done mystery!
julianvhampton30 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Silent as the grave is a thriller that focuses on a filmmaker with a mission. When he learns a mysterious person is leaving flowers at the gravesite of one of his relatives, he faces tremedous roadblocks and threats to complete his project. Someone doesn't want the story exposed. The film showcases the turmoil of trying to discover who holds the keys to the secrets. The main character, Chris, has his world turned upside down when he chases clues to resolve the mystery. The film is a slow-burning endeavor, requiring the audience to watch for clues, gestures, and subtle pieces of information to find those involved in the coverup. There's a lot of mystery and intrigue in the story and a cost of family and safety Chris risks. A well-done mystery.
Fun update of an older genre
RBIves-202-72535210 August 2023
Imagine a modern noir film set in the suburbs. There's tons of room for play and that is exactly what Silent as the Grave does. When aspiring documentary filmmaker Chris is hired by a femme fatale (his mother) to investigate a cold case involving the murder of his uncle decades earlier, she sees a potential new project full of conspiracies, cover-ups, and secrets. He has only one clue to start out from, who has been leaving flowers at his uncle's grave all these years and why?
It's ironic that his most recent documentary covered the history of noir filmmaking. If only he could recognize he's in a hardboiled whodunit of his own, maybe he could foresee some of the tropes waiting for him right around the corner.
We've got some good acting here, cinematography is a notch above most of the low budget competitors which brings you into the story quickly. And, as expected, there are lots of reveals along the way that will keep the one interesting for you until the last moments.
It's ironic that his most recent documentary covered the history of noir filmmaking. If only he could recognize he's in a hardboiled whodunit of his own, maybe he could foresee some of the tropes waiting for him right around the corner.
We've got some good acting here, cinematography is a notch above most of the low budget competitors which brings you into the story quickly. And, as expected, there are lots of reveals along the way that will keep the one interesting for you until the last moments.
Good work
thejhorton28 July 2023
Ah, my fellow travelers, gather 'round, for I've got a tale to spin-a tale of mystery, shrouded in shadows and drenched in the essence of life's enigmas. They call it 'Silent as the Grave,' a flick that'll leave you haunted, pondering the secrets that lie beneath our human façades.
Now, picture this: Chris, the man with the camera, a soul consumed by an obsession to unravel the truth behind his kin's dark legacy. He's a doc filmmaker on a mission, guided by the ghosts of his past. His Uncle Edgar's demise, a freight elevator accident-seems simple, right? But alas, appearances deceive, my friends. Flowers on the tombstone, year after year, whisper secrets that send shivers down spines.
Oh, the atmosphere, my dear readers! It's crafted with a mastery that sucks you into a vortex of unease. Shadows dance, sounds murmur in the background, keeping you on your toes, breathless, anticipating the next revelation. And what of the characters, you ask? Each one a puzzle piece, with motives hidden deep, ready to surprise and confound. The protagonist, a documentary filmmaker embodies an unyielding quest for truth-a man on fire, a phoenix rising from the ashes of family secrets.
It's the pacing, my friends, that keeps you hooked! A symphony of suspense and emotion, a dance between investigative frenzy and heart-wrenching revelations. As we journey, we're lured into a labyrinth of familial bonds, complex and fragile, crafted with poetic finesse.
But above all, it's the questions that permeate the air-questions that worm their way into the very core of existence. The truth, elusive like a sly cat, keeps us yearning for resolution, just as the beat of a jazz saxophone lures us into the night.
As the plot unfolds, tension builds like a jazz crescendo, holding us in its sway until the grand finale. And when the truth, like a sacred mantra, is finally revealed, it's a symphony of justice, a cathartic release, leaving us breathless, yearning for more.
So, my dear kindred spirits, if you crave a journey that stirs your soul, "Silent as the Grave" beckons with a siren's call. Grab your popcorn, buckle up, and let yourself be lost in the maze of mystery and redemption-a film that Jack Kerouac himself would've journeyed miles to behold!"
Now, picture this: Chris, the man with the camera, a soul consumed by an obsession to unravel the truth behind his kin's dark legacy. He's a doc filmmaker on a mission, guided by the ghosts of his past. His Uncle Edgar's demise, a freight elevator accident-seems simple, right? But alas, appearances deceive, my friends. Flowers on the tombstone, year after year, whisper secrets that send shivers down spines.
Oh, the atmosphere, my dear readers! It's crafted with a mastery that sucks you into a vortex of unease. Shadows dance, sounds murmur in the background, keeping you on your toes, breathless, anticipating the next revelation. And what of the characters, you ask? Each one a puzzle piece, with motives hidden deep, ready to surprise and confound. The protagonist, a documentary filmmaker embodies an unyielding quest for truth-a man on fire, a phoenix rising from the ashes of family secrets.
It's the pacing, my friends, that keeps you hooked! A symphony of suspense and emotion, a dance between investigative frenzy and heart-wrenching revelations. As we journey, we're lured into a labyrinth of familial bonds, complex and fragile, crafted with poetic finesse.
But above all, it's the questions that permeate the air-questions that worm their way into the very core of existence. The truth, elusive like a sly cat, keeps us yearning for resolution, just as the beat of a jazz saxophone lures us into the night.
As the plot unfolds, tension builds like a jazz crescendo, holding us in its sway until the grand finale. And when the truth, like a sacred mantra, is finally revealed, it's a symphony of justice, a cathartic release, leaving us breathless, yearning for more.
So, my dear kindred spirits, if you crave a journey that stirs your soul, "Silent as the Grave" beckons with a siren's call. Grab your popcorn, buckle up, and let yourself be lost in the maze of mystery and redemption-a film that Jack Kerouac himself would've journeyed miles to behold!"
What starts out as a simple question turns into a shocking answer.
gwp6042329 July 2023
Silent as the Grave is a story about a guy that is faced with making some very difficult decisions that would put his entire family in serious jeopardy. This is a "who done it" with a twist. A simple question of "Who's putting flowers on a headstone" results into a nightmare for a filmmaker who is torn between finding out the truth verses putting his own life in danger. Is he really willing to risk it all ? A loving wife, a new baby, all to exposed the truth about something that happened decades ago? The film is full of suspense and the acting is superb. The film was shot locally (in Chicago) so it gives a real authenticity to the storyline. The camera work and editing is of the highest quality and the storyline is designed to provide the viewer with a very entertaining mystery.
A Complicated Mystery Film
kjs114419 October 2023
Silent as the Grave is a rich and complicated mystery/drama. It feels rare to find a modern day movie in the mystery genre that is so well plotted out and executed. A documentary filmmaker investigates his uncle's mysterious death, but falls into a world of danger, threats, uncertainty, and secrets. There isn't so much documentary filmmaking being done by the main character, rather the story focuses on his detective work in trying to solve the mystery. This movie will truly keep you on the edge of your seat and it will keep you guessing. The writing and direction were great, along with an interesting score.
Silent as the Grave ain't just another flick, it's like a gritty masterpiece
oliviaphilip4 March 2024
Silent as the Grave ain't just another flick, it's like a gritty masterpiece, you feel me? The actors straight kill it, bringing that raw talent to the table. Kunicki, man, he's on another level as Chris - playing this documentary dude with a nerdy vibe but also giving off vibes like he might be a bit twisted and paranoid. The whole movie got that dark, noir style, shining a light on the messed-up side of being human. The storytelling is mad clever, keeping you hooked from start to finish. And the emotional depth hits you right in the feels, making Silent as the Grave a must-watch, no doubt. I loved it!
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