The Reel Rejects - DEAD SILENCE REVIEW – JAMES WAN DOES NOT MISS! – FIRST TIME WATCH

Episode Date: April 30, 2026

BEWARE THE STARE OF MARY SHAW!!! Dead Silence (Unrated) Full Movie Reaction Watch Along & Early Access:   / thereelrejects   Gift Someone (Or Yourself) An RR Tee! https://shorturl.at/hekk2 Jon Maturan, Andrew Gordon & Roxy Striar dive into one of James Wan’s most underrated horror films, bringing you their Dead Silence reaction, recap, commentary, breakdown, analysis, and full movie spoiler review!! Follow Andrew Gordon on Socials:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieSource Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/agor711/?hl=en Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Agor711 Follow Jon Maturan: https://www.instagram.com/jonmaturan/?hl=en Follow Roxy Striar YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TheWhirlGirls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roxystriar/?hl=en Twitter:  https://twitter.com/roxystriar Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ Follow Us On Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/  Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reelrejects?lang=en Twitter: https://x.com/reelrejects Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad:  Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:  FB:  https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thegregalba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Why does certain movies get made, even though the premise seems completely random? Why are concert tickets costing you $3,000, but nobody makes any money touring? Well, on my podcast, breaking down the biz, we answer all those questions and more. I'm Steth Shackner. I have over two decades of experience in the entertainment and the music industry. And every week, I talk to insiders that lend insight and expertise on the media you know and love, past, present, and future. Subscribe now on your favorite podcasting platform or watch us on YouTube so you never miss a beat. Let's make sense of this industry together.

I'm excited to continue this journey. so without further ado, shall we watch Dead Silence, but make a lot of non-silence. Yeah, let's rock and roll. Oh, we're watching the unrated version. So, Unrated version of Dead Silence. Starting in three, two, and a one. I like the red and blue contrast.

All right, since the Reject Nation, we just watched Dead Silence. Um, and we have a lot of things to talk about, but before we do that, big shout out to Preper. Thank you guys so much for helping this down. I know that the horror movies are some of the hardest to add it down, especially when we decide to do the unrated versions of them. So thank you. Thank you. In order to make it worth their time and hours, we would appreciate if you guys like, comment, subscribe, tell a friend

to tell a friend and be kind in the comments. I read every single one of them. If you're on Apple, Spotify, five star, thumbs up, you know what to do. We appreciate you guys greatly. Tell little John what a great job he's doing news to the channel, their first one together. maybe you want to see this dynamic trio happen again. Just let us know. Big shout out to patrons. Patreon.com slash surreal rejects. That's where you can sync up with your own copy.

That's where Greg and John cover stuff exclusively. That's where you get discounts on our sick merch, rejectmation shop.com. You got it. You got it. I got it. We got it. That's what's going on today.

So don't forget to become a patron. We appreciate you guys who are there. Another cool thing about being a patron is that you guys get to ask us questions that are what we use to do our reviews So we love your questions, and we will be getting to those from the patrons shortly. But before we do that, I just want to hear from you guys a little bit general, quick thoughts on this. Andrew, how do you feel about Dead Silence?

I really enjoyed this. I have not seen before this week. I've not seen too many James Wan films. So I just think he does such a great job of, especially in this film, too, building up atmosphere and suspense. And I really liked the character of Jamie, too, and just. I thought he was the emotional grounding of the film. And just watching where he had to go, like the relationship he had with his wife and how happy they were. And then watching the psychological effects of seeing what had happened to her.

And then, you know, just how on the defense that obviously has to make you as a human being. And watching, as I just said, watching the psychological effects that has on someone. And I thought Donnie Wahlberg was amazing too. It was so much fun bringing some levity to a horror film, which already puts me on edge just in general. He really was. Yeah, and then. I haven't seen that many Donnie movies.

Yeah, I haven't either. I've seen more Mark, but Donnie was great in this. I really enjoyed it. You've seen more Mark than Donnie movies? That's crazy. I know, I know, I know. But now, but this makes me want to watch more of Mark. But I think Donnie also were, I know James I didn't do Saw 2, but Donnie was in Saw 2, but Donnie

Donnie was in Saw 2, wasn't he? Oh, was he? I believe so. I believe so. I think James was still a producer on it. Correct, correct. But yeah, no, and I love, I found the world building and the actual story to this to be pretty fascinating and interesting.

I know we were kind of calling out the Amber Valletta, but, I mean, we've seen a million movies, so we were like, there has to be something in this character, and she's being too nice throughout the film. So if they have that red herring, it's not going to be the end of the world, but, I mean, it was a little, you can make an argument. It was a little obvious, but I didn't mind it

because I still found it to be rather interesting. But what about you, John? Um, I I tend to avoid horror movies Because I'm a chicken shit But I'm with you there I don't think that you were chicken shit during this at all

I well I was trying to Tame it as best as I can like my I had like goose of them and shit Wow Greg is devastated hearing those words He was holding his silence Greg just screamed somewhere I know I'm sorry He was not dead sad

I tried to tame it But your reaction gold I know No, yeah, when it comes to horror movies generally, I tend to look for the allegorical kind of sense of what are they trying to say, just because I've heard that horror typically is some sort of metaphor or allegory of something else. And then when I heard the plot of like, oh, yeah, the, what's her name? What's our?

Mary Shaw. Mary Shaw. She was hunted down by, like, a bunch of people because of whatever the case may be. and then she's just seeking revenge. I was trying to think, like, what commentary are you making about, like, hurt people, hurt people? Yes, exactly. Like, you know, some sort of witch hunts and, like, being misunderstood or whatever.

But she did do it. No, she did do it, yes. I thought the lesson was going to be she didn't do it. Exactly, yeah, yeah. But it was like, nah, bitch did it. Yeah, that was killed that little kids. That was a movie I was talking about earlier, but if you haven't seen that, I don't want to ruin that for you.

What movie? He doesn't want to tell us. Oh, okay, gotcha. You find out that the villain was not taken out, and I'm like, oh, shit. Oh, interesting. Okay, good to know. No, yeah, it was still entertaining. I do like, visually, I like the contrast of, like, this unsaturated blue, gray, and then the red.

So I, and James Wan has very particular camera angles and so on and so forth. So it was cool to look at, and entertaining, nonetheless, I don't. I mean, I guess this is a horror trope, is that where, like, our main character dies, or, like, the, you know, there is no happy ending, essentially, and you kind of, so I'm, I'm, I'm, digesting that because, like, okay, that's,

I guess that's a horror thing. Otherwise, it was entertaining to watch with you guys, for sure, and fun, and predictable in the fun way, not necessarily like, oh, I saw that coming, that's kind of waste. I was like, oh, interesting, we were right about these assumptions. So that made it all entertaining,

But yeah, how about you, Roxy? I think I feel really similar to you. I definitely, as the person who probably at this point has watched the most horror movies for the channel, I definitely try to, one of the reasons I love horror movies so much is the thing that you said you've heard, which is that I find there usually is a deeper meaning. And, you know, a lot of people hate the term elevated horror,

but I really, I find a lot of horror to be elevated because of usually what it is saying, which is a commentary on society, which definitely this was parts. I also just like a jump scare and a bait and switch and I did appreciate the fact that at least none of us

until me the very last second predicted that he was the doll. So that was a cool, you know, like, oh my God, she's been pulling the strings the whole time moment. Literally and figuratively.

But I do kind of think not to backseat write this script, but I do kind of think the message would have been stronger if Mary Shaw hadn't been a murderer. if it had been a witch hunt and it wasn't really her

because if that is the case, then it does go to the lesson of hurt people, her people like if we wrong somebody and there isn't due process and you just make assumptions based on somebody having witchy-like behavior, then you can cause problems for generations. But instead, it's hard to feel bad for her at all

because it's like, we saw what you did. Yeah, you still are not a good behavior. We're all very empathetic, but when you see that, you're like, I'm a child. And not just, and seemingly not just that child. Then all the children after and all the, you know, and now a baby or a fetus. So, yeah. And I'm sure other ones as well. So there, I was really only kind of rooting for the husband in this movie.

And then at some point, you're kind of like, yeah, no, I think everybody's going to die. And he does. And that's also interesting Because the James Wan movies I've seen I've seen Conjuring I have seen Aquaman I have seen Insidious And I have seen Saw

And of those movies It's very clear Every one of those movies Is getting a sequel Like while you're watching it They're setting up for a sequel This is the first James Wan movie That I've seen

Where it feels like I don't know if there is a sequel to this But it feels like They were like Now we're gonna This is the whole story And then cut it there Because

Right. So that's cool. At least it went full circle. So I did like it, but is there like deeper meaning that I'm holding on to? Not really. Right, right. It was a kind of fun switch. Nice.

Let's see what it is that the patrons want us to talk about. Thank you guys so much for submitting these questions. Patreon.com slash the real rejects. Here we go. Let's start with J. Dell, who says hi to who he thought was Tara and I. Surprise, surprise, Jadel. Sorry, Jail. Tara split into two.

Oh, yeah. grew balls? Or I don't know how I want to say that. No, Tara always says balls. I mean, just guts. Cajones. All right, let's keep it pushing. Jay Dell says, hey, rejects.

When the big reveal happens at the end, did it completely catch you off guard, or were there subtle clues about Jamie's wife that tipped you off earlier? For me, I'm curious if that twist works, better on first watch or on a rewatch. So this is just in reference to the pregnancy part, I'm assuming, because he's saying specifically

Jamie's wife. Yeah. Lil John. Yeah. How'd you feel? I kind of saw it coming just because I don't know why. It just reminded me of like while we were getting towards that of like that moment, I was like. You said it out loud. Yeah.

And it reminded me of seven for those who know that movie. And he not knowing his wife was pregnant. That does suck. But the twist works. Yeah. I don't even know if she knew she was. was pregnant. Yeah, it might have been...

Yeah, we don't know. Yeah, I don't think she did either because she said, like, I want a baby, right? Sure. But maybe she did, and she was just, we don't know. We don't know, yeah. Yeah, they didn't mention that, but it was still, like, it still adds to the stakes of it all,

so I do like it. It does work for me, for sure. How are you guys? I mean, I thought it, for the most part, caught me off guard. I mean, I think they laid off, you know, at the very beginning some not-so-suttle hints, but then they swayed away from it because of what happened in the character

and we're at this point we're with Jamie through his from his POV in terms of like trying to discover this whole mystery and all that so we're not really

thinking about it that much at this point and then right before it happens it's like yeah I mean it was a good call by Liljohn and it definitely I wasn't thinking about it anymore

at this point but I wasn't really expecting it anymore okay yeah you're giggling because the nickname Liljohn is stuck yeah don't you love it?

Sure. Sure. L.J. What about you? I think that, you know, early on as she was bleeding from the mouth, I kind of had a feeling. Oh, that's a good goal. And then we see that moment where she puts it under her shirt. And then there is the moment where she's like, oh, did you bring us a baby?

So early on, I was kind of like, huh. And then I forgot about it. And then as I was starting to question, why? Why was she attacked? You know, we hear it to all the wives, but like specifically why her, if he's been so out of commission. Right.

But that makes sense. She's trying to cut off the bloodline. So I wasn't shocked, but I wouldn't have said that I knew for certain. And she was the only one who bled out like that, right from her mouth? That's from what we saw. Yeah, right, right, right.

I don't even know that the, we didn't see what happened, but it feels like the baby, like they reached in side, you know. Oh, sure. Like the whole thing. That's a good point. Although she was definitely very small and not far along. And again, we don't even know if she knew she was pregnant.

And she had great posture. I said it. Man, I'm jealous of that posture. Andrew, want to hit us with Captain? Sounds good. Captain Fernandez, thank you so much for being a royal reject and for asking us a question. We appreciate you. Should Director James Wan be considered a modern master of horror like Robert Eggers,

Mike Flanagan and Jordan Peel. Roxy take it away. Not to answer for all of us, but like kind of duh. Yeah. For sure. You know, I think that you, everybody can have their preference. But at this point, after naming, you know, saw insidious conjuring this movie. Right.

To say anything other than he's a modern master of horror, even if he's not your, he is my taste. But even if he's not, of course, he's in the same conversation as Mike Flanagan or. or any of these people, honestly. Yeah, I definitely think so. No, I agree. I mean, I don't watch a lot of horror movies, but when I think of James Owen, I think of a horror director, for sure.

And then Robert Eggers. And fun fact, I haven't seen any Jordan Peel movies, but I've heard... Oh, are you covering him for the channel? We've got to get channels. Have you told them that? I've told them that, yeah. We'll see.

I mean, we do some movies on repeat, and, you know, once time has gone by, so that'd be great, because I just finally watched Jordan Peel's movies in there. Oh, cool, okay. For the channel? Yeah. You watch all of it?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've watched them all now. I can't believe you guys. I mean, he's like an absolute masterpiece. Oh, no, I've heard. He's a masterpiece. He's a master. I love Jordan Peel so much, but I have to say, I am particularly partial to Mike Flanagan because I'm a big TV junkie.

Oh, sure. Okay. And while I did watch Hush his movie for this channel, I love his television shows. So, haunting of Hill House, haunting a blind manor, all of them, actually. Did Mike Flanagan also do Dr. what was the one with you and McGregor? Yep. Dr. Sleep?

I was like, not strange. I did say that during that reaction, I said Dr. Strange a few times. I was like, I knew that was going to happen to me too. But yeah, I would agree with this. Growing up, my modern master of horrors were John Carpenter, West Craven. So I would definitely put. Baby boy. That's not modern anymore.

It's not. I know. I'm sorry. That's a good point. But I'm just giving you. I'm giving James Juan his due, like, to put him up with these directors and also what came in the past as well, that he's an incredible director. As I said earlier, he understands atmosphere. He understands suspension.

Ariaster is becoming a big one, too. There's a lot more than just this list. But also, too, he knows how to do a, like, he knows that. He's very versatile. He can do other films besides horror as well. Like, I really liked Furious Seven. I really liked Aquaman. Oh, that's right.

Yes, yeah. But Aquaman has, like, some horror elements. Yeah. Yeah. He uses that much cool. Definitely. Little John L.J. Will you hit us with Jay?

Yeah, you got it. Jay Rush and thank you for your question. Question, do ventriloquist dolls freak you out and ever been to a ventriloquist show? Lil Jay, I want to start with you because I think that you were a little freaked to do this. Was any element of that because of the ventriloquist dolls or just horror in general? Like, how do you feel about that? No, yeah, I think it's horror in general. Ventriloquist dolls kind of are creepy, but not really.

I'm also physically uncomfortable right now because I have to pee really badly. Oh, no. We're so close to being done. I know, I know, I know. Do you want to pause it? No, we don't have to. I'll guess out of here in three minutes. You got it.

You got it. No, definitely. No, it didn't creep me out. But have I seen a ventriloquist show? I don't think I have. I've seen, like, clips on, like, social media. Got talent and stuff like that. Yeah, definitely.

So let me give a 20-minute answer here right now. We love your leg, the answers. No, when it comes to, when it comes to, Yeah, when it comes to ventriloquist dolls, I have been freaked out since a little kid, as I mentioned, Slappy from Ghostbumps, and also because of Batman's... Oh, yeah.

What's his name? Mr. I can't remember his name. God, dang it. I know it's Arnold is the one who controls him, but that always freaked me out as a kid. Scarface. Oh, yeah. Yeah.

You're the DC girl. I thought you were going to come to my defense. I honestly wasn't paying attention to you for a second because I was thinking about how bad he had to pee, and then I checked back in, and I heard you say, Mr. and I was like, didn't hear them before. I was like, freeze, and then I heard what you were saying.

What about you? Yeah, I really love ventriloquist shows, and I really love people who can do them. I think it's just such an unbelievable talent. That's why I kind of started practicing the mirror. Oh, there you go. Yeah, I think I can do it decently. I struggle with some letters. The M is really hard for me.

Yeah, it's one I can't do. No, yeah, you can't move your lips, right? So that's a problem. You have to, like, find the letters that you can do. Yeah. You know, I'm very, very amateur. Let's just get this last piece of trivia And then we'll let our boy go pee

Here we go. Thank you so much to J. Dell. In Dead Silence, over 100 custom Ventriloquist dolls were created for the movie. Damn. Well, we saw a hundred of them. Many were fully functional puppets operated by professional ventriloquist Off camera to make the movements feel disturbingly real

Instead of relying heavily on CGI. I love that. That's why it looks so great. Yeah, the CGI... We didn't need it. We didn't need it. But in 2007 or whenever this was, it probably looked bomb.com. I totally understand that.

Always go practical over CGI. But if you can blend the two, seamlessly, yeah. We're going to get out of here so there doesn't end up being urine on the floor. Thank you guys so much for being here with us. Let us know what other movies you want to see is cover. We're reading all those comments.

We really appreciate you guys. Later, Rejects.