Mute Witness

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Mute Witness

R

1995

1h 38m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Billy (Mary Sudina) is mute, but it hasn't kept her from becoming a successful makeup artist. While in Russia, working on a film directed by her sister's boyfriend, Andy (Evan Richards), Billy finds herself trapped in the studio one night and is horrified to see a snuff film being made. Billy escapes and, with the help of her sister, Kate (Fay Ripley), alerts authorities about what she saw. Unfortunately, in doing so, she makes an enemy of the Russian mafia, who funded the snuff film.

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Critics Consensus

Mute Witness is a slickly crafted horror/thriller with some surprising comic twists.

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Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

Variety

Waller's witty, well-crafted yet unpretentious thriller--about American youths who make a movie in Moscow and get involved with the underworld--is a seductive piece of filmmaking that should keep viewers hyperventilating to the last reel.

Rated: B

Nov 19, 2006

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Anthony Waller's Mute Witness is one of those films, like Halloween or Blood Simple, where a strong story and a skillful use of horror film technique causes you to forget the low budget and limited production values.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Joe Lipsett

Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network

Anthony Waller's film is a huge surprise: fast-paced, well-shot, and featuring a great mix of comedy and thrills.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 19, 2024

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Emilie Black

Cinema Crazed

... the writing here is solid and creates a film that has actually surprising moments, makes an effort to be thrilling while being a bit less scary than other films of its ilk.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 11, 2024

Full Review

Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

Mute Witness may have a somewhat simple premise, but using that as a foundation, it's able to derive plenty of thrills, chills, and even a few laughs, ultimately turning this into an effective '90s crime thriller that does quite a lot with so little.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 10, 2024

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Ricardo d

É uma pérola da década de 90. Colocar uma mocinha de terror que não pode gritar, muda, faz todo o diferencial. Naquela época os filmes de terror precisavam ter um alívio cômico, e hoje pode parecer estranho. Deveria ser refilmado. As cenas de perseguição são ótimas. A atriz de Billy fez um belo trabalho.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

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Craig B

Not too bad a movie. Probably more of a thriller than a horror for me. Decently acted for a 90s flick and moves along at a good pace. I think most will be able to pick a certain pivotal end scene well before it happens.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/01/24

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Peter W

Mute Witness is an enjoyable horror film that takes joy in playing with its audiences right from the opening scene. Anything can happen here, and nothing on-screen is predictable. While the quality of the film gives off the vibe and appearance of a midday movie made for TV, its visuals remain impressive, particularly when the lead is running around and attempting to find safety. While the film begins strongly as a horror film, as it progresses, its story becomes less horrifying while continuing to be fun and silly. Marina Zudina, as Billy, a mute makeup artist, is likable and great, but the side performances are challenging to listen to. Either way, it's a great way to kill time and experience some fun horror from the 90s.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

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Farah R

Everything in this film is mediocre but put together, it makes a reasonably gripping thriller. The lead actress carries the movie on her shoulders, which is the only reason I kept watching. Luckily, the ending isn't disappoint.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/16/23

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Audience Member

Like some of Hitchcock's thrillers, this one has an unlikely premise and lots of implausible bits, but it also delivers a butt ton of suspense, action, and wit. It's fun and engaging throughout and really doesn't miss a beat. Suspend disbelief and don't poke too hard or you might uncover a plot hole, but as pure entertainment it succeeds.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

Surprisingly good less-known thriller.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Anthony Waller

Director

Mary Sudina

Billy Hughes

Fay Ripley

Karen Hughes

Evan Richards

Andy Clarke

Oleg Jankovskij

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Igor Volkow

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Synopsis

Billy (Mary Sudina) is mute, but it hasn't kept her from becoming a successful makeup artist. While in Russia, working on a film directed by her sister's boyfriend, Andy (Evan Richards), Billy finds herself trapped in the studio one night and is horrified to see a snuff film being made. Billy escapes and, with the help of her sister, Kate (Fay Ripley), alerts authorities about what she saw. Unfortunately, in doing so, she makes an enemy of the Russian mafia, who funded the snuff film.

Director: Anthony Waller
Producer: Alexander Buchman
Production Co: Cobblestone Pictures, Avrora Media, Meteor, Comet Film Produktion GmbH, Patoss Films
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Aug 26, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA): $962.2K
Runtime: 1h 38m

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