Some movies are made for the big screen, and “Hush” is about to prove it for the first time I first discovered Mike Flanagan's intense thriller on Netflix in 2016 and it quickly became one of my favorites (watching it with friends at a sleepover made it even more thrilling)

The claustrophobic atmosphere and the quiet terror of being pursued in silence is everything a tense thriller should be But as much as I loved watching it from the comfort of my own home, I always wondered what it would be like to experience it in the theater No matter how loud or quiet the action, somehow every movie is better that way

After disappearing from Netflix in 2023 and spending some time in the dreaded digital limbo, “Hush” returned a little over a month ago on the PVOD platform But now it is about to take an even bigger step forward--it will be released in select US theaters for the first time ever on October 16

Completely restored and approved by Flanagan himself, this special screening will give fans like me a chance to experience the film in a whole new way Here's why “Hush” deserves to be seen on a bigger screen this month

“Hush” is a thriller that centers on Maddie (Kate Siegel), a deaf-mute writer who lives alone in a secluded house in the woods Her quiet, solitary life takes a terrifying turn when a masked killer knowingly targets her with her disability Unable to hear voices or call for help, Maddie is drawn into a tense game of survival

Now, given this premise, it would be easy to assume that Maddie is not very lucky, given that she is alone and unable to hear her attackers, but you would be surprised at how resourceful she is in such a difficult situation Nor is Maddie a character who suddenly knows how to fight her way out of any situation She feels real The decisions she makes throughout the film (some wise, some not so wise) mirror how many of us would probably react in the same scenario It can be frustrating to watch, but I find myself rooting for her all the way, even when I don't think her choices are the best

The film really captures the feeling of suspense, and once the tension builds, it's hard to relax Rather than relying on jump scares and tired horror techniques, “Hush” builds suspense through other senses, such as the sound of a door opening or car lights flickering outside a house The amount of silence in the film is the best part, and a major reason why watching it in the cinema is all the more terrifying

Also worthy of praise is John Gallagher Jr's performance as the masked killer He has no motive beyond enjoying the hunt, which makes him all the more terrifying In a horror thriller such as this, there is no need for supernatural forces or big monsters to make the plot more frightening Instead, it is another person who is at the center of this terrifying situation, and that one is arguably worse

Of course, don't expect a fast-paced, action-packed thriller from “Hush” The film is filled with a slow-building tension that makes you feel Maddie's growing sense of fear and loneliness This fast-paced pace is not for everyone, but it boils over with a pounding sense of dread This deliberate, uncomfortable pacing makes the film so good that I can't help but recommend it to other moviegoers

“Hush” may not seem like a movie that needs to be seen in a movie theater It is a slow thriller with no big action sequences or flashy visual effects But trust me, experiencing it on the big screen will be something special Hearing the subtle details through theatrical speakers will probably make the tension even more unbearable (I'm already nervous enough just watching it at home)

The newly restored “Hush” will look and sound better than ever Furthermore, given that this is the first theatrical release of the film, many fans may have missed the chance to see it when it gained popularity on Netflix Now is the perfect time to experience this production in its original setting

Even better, the event screening will feature a live streaming Q&A with director Mike Flanagan and star Kate Siegel on Wednesday, October 16 at 9:30 PM ET/6:30 PM PT The live Q&A will take place immediately following the screening at Vidiots in Eagle Rock, CA and will be live streamed to select theaters nationwide The list of theaters screening “Hush” will be announced later this week, so stay tuned for that as well

“Hush” opens just in time for the spooky season, so I may be sitting in theaters (possibly hiding behind my hands) This month, I invite you to experience one of the most intense thrillers of the decade in the way it deserves to be seen Louder (and quieter) than ever

“Hush” opens in select US theaters on October 16