The Quiet Is Louder Than You Think

Read Time:5 Minute, 8 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Pins and Needles
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Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller
Year Released: 2024, 2025
Runtime: 1h 22m
Director(s): James Villeneuve
Writer(s): James Villeneuve
Cast: Ryan McDonald, Kate Corbett, Chelsea Clark, Daniel Gravelle, Damian Romeo, Leslie Adlam, Michael Park Ingram
Where to Watch: arriving on TVOD nationwide, June 24, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: A distinct dread creeps in when horror is filtered through something as mundane as a car ride home. What begins with the casual discomfort of unexpected company gradually shifts into survival territory—not the kind with weapons or monsters, but the type that demands silence, calculation, and the ability to stay unnoticed. The stakes don’t scream; they press in quietly. That’s part of what makes this experience more unnerving than most. It finds its terror in restraint.

The story follows Max, a grad student who, due to her diabetes, is always aware of her body in ways others take for granted. This detail isn’t just a character trait—it’s the film’s anchor. As she’s stranded in an unfamiliar area, low on insulin, and forced to navigate a setting filled with hidden dangers, her medical condition becomes the ticking clock. It’s not just about getting out; it’s about doing so before her body turns against her.

The antagonists she faces aren’t your typical horror staples. They’re people who’d show up on a lifestyle podcast recommending green juice made from questionable sources. They talk like TED Talk veterans but act like they’re auditioning for a crime documentary. They have an unnerving charm, with dialogue that feels casual until you realize what they’re saying. That blend of civility and menace keeps the viewer off-balance. One minute, they complain about yacht logistics; the next, they debate the quality of their human “ingredients.”

This type of villain works because it sidesteps the usual blood-and-guts archetype and instead uses behavior and language to create fear. Their twisted logic never escalates into caricature, even when their actions do. That grounding makes them harder to write off and more unsettling to watch. There’s a satirical streak to how they operate—a commentary on wellness fads and the wealthy’s obsession with longevity that hits harder because of how real it feels.

The film builds tension with space and silence, trusting the audience to lean in. Rather than rely on abrupt scares (mostly), it pulls focus to the sound of breathing, the creak of floorboards, and the soft buzz of things around us.

The film finds its voice in the contrast between surface and substance. The house Max ends up in doesn’t scream danger—it whispers it through its almost clinical design and minimalism. The polished decor becomes part of the horror, with its pristine surfaces hiding the mess that bleach and good lighting can’t clean. That decision makes the setting feel all the more plausible, like you could walk past this place without suspecting what’s inside.

Another great choice is letting Max exist mostly in silence. We aren’t spoon-feeding her thoughts through monologue or exposition. Instead, we watch her piece things together, hesitate, and plan. Her actions speak louder than any inner narration could, making her journey feel earned. The more she’s forced to react on instinct, the more engaged we become. Something is compelling about a lead who doesn’t have to yell to show strength.

What makes Max’s journey stand out isn’t just the threat she faces, but how she adapts to it. She’s not superhuman and doesn’t rely on luck or brute force. Her survival comes from timing, caution, and improvisation. Watching her set traps or turn the villains’ routines against them is more satisfying because it’s rooted in logic rather than spectacle. These small victories matter more because they are the only kind available to someone in her position.

As a debut, the direction shows confidence. It doesn’t overreach or try to be overly clever. The storytelling choices feel deliberate, and the performances stay within a tone that supports the story rather than trying to elevate it with unnecessary flair. It’s the kind of project that clearly understands the value of atmosphere, structure, and character logic.

Giving the side characters more agency, playing with tone shifts in more unexpected ways, or taking greater risks during the surreal moments could have added layers. But its strengths lie in the tension it creates, the ideas it presents without overexplaining, and the central performance that grounds everything in a reality harder to shake than most genre fare. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it’s not trying to. Instead, it focuses on making each rotation feel like it matters. And in that, it finds a rhythm that sticks.

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