The movie had ended, yet the audience remained entranced by the final twist. Julian sat in his seat, lost in thought.
So, Jamie had been ensnared in Mary Shaw's trap from the very beginning? Perhaps her decision to lure him back to his hometown was just a cruel, cat-and-mouse game. Julian also noted something unique about the film: there was almost no trace of Pokémon throughout.
Especially not Ghost-types.
"This is... fascinating," Julian murmured, his excitement building. He couldn't wait to share his thoughts on this groundbreaking horror film with others.
But as he stood up to leave, a new sequence began during the end credits—behind-the-scenes footage of Dead Silence. The scenes featured humorous moments, including a sulking Lickitung, which lightened Julian's mood.
"Wouldn't this ruin the eerie atmosphere for the audience?" he pondered. "No… this might actually make the film more accessible to a broader audience."
Horror films had always occupied an awkward space in the League's entertainment industry. They typically revolved around nightmares, mental disorders, or Ghost Pokémon causing trouble. Ghost-types, in particular, were a staple of the genre's history. But Dead Silence broke the mold.
The film was terrifying—so much so that even Julian, a seasoned horror enthusiast, felt uneasy throughout. However, such intensity might deter more timid viewers. The lighthearted behind-the-scenes footage helped release the tension, ensuring audiences could leave the theater with a positive impression.
For Julian, it was a refreshing approach he'd never seen before. For the first time, he stayed to watch the credits roll in their entirety, which only fueled his desire to share his experience.
That evening, Julian uploaded a new video review:
Dead Silence: A Movie That Will Make You Cover Your Mouth"
"Hey everyone, I'm Julian. Today, let's talk about Dead Silence, one of the most talked-about films recently. First of all, I think this horror movie doesn't belong in the same category as traditional horror films — in fact, it might have just created an entirely new genre."
"As you all know, in recent years, the League's horror films have been consistently cranking out 3.8-rated flops every quarter — hollow plots, and just by looking at the character introductions, I can already guess which celebrity is going to capture the ghost-type Pokémon causing trouble this time."
"If you've seen my past videos, you know the formula by now: the protagonist goes on a trip → supernatural events occur → the group runs into trouble → turns out a ghost-type Pokémon is behind it → they overcome the problem → catch the Pokémon → happy ending for everyone."
"But Dead Silence is different. And since I'm about to go into some detail, warning: mild spoilers ahead."
In the video, Julian's voice carries a hint of excitement. The footage he's editing is a mash-up of the Dead Silence trailer and that viral prank video — he has no choice, since the movie just released and he doesn't have access to better clips yet.
"There are no actual Pokémon in Dead Silence — or, to put it more accurately, any Pokémon that do appear are hidden in the post-production VFX credits. You wouldn't recognize them as Pokémon at all while watching the movie!"
"And yet, the presence of Pokémon is felt throughout the film. Most notably, Champion Diantha from the Kalos region delivers an absolutely stunning performance."
"To be honest, when I first saw Diantha in the cast, I was hesitant. She's never starred in a horror film before — could her acting really handle the intensity this genre demands? But by the end, I realized I was wrong. Diantha is, without a doubt, an outstanding actress."
"That final scene... Arceus help me... Why didn't I wait until after the theatrical run to make this video?!"
"I don't even know how to describe how I feel right now. All I can say is this: Dead Silence is a horror film I want to watch a second time, even a third!"
"The way it delivered such a gripping story without relying on traditional Pokémon tropes truly blew me away. If the movie weren't still in theaters, I'd honestly want to spoil everything just to talk about it!"
"I strongly recommend you go watch Dead Silence. It's a milestone horror film that will completely change how you think about the genre!"
As Julian reviewed his video, he felt a twinge of frustration. He desperately wanted to discuss the film's stunning details and chilling finale but held back to preserve the audience's experience.
Unable to contain his excitement, he turned to social media and forums, eagerly joining discussions with those who had already seen the film.
Across various platforms, the buzz around Dead Silence skyrocketed. Fans, horror enthusiasts, and plot aficionados planned second and third viewings to uncover hidden details they'd missed.
On search engines, Dead Silence became a trending term, with countless users sharing their reactions.
In the [Hoenn Horror Movie Lovers Exchange Group]:
[Crobatman: I've got to hand it to Edward—the director nailed it. The cold, muted tones alone create an atmosphere of pure dread and tension.]
[Mimikyu's Biggest Fan: I still love Mimikyu. Even though it's technically just a doll here, the eye movements and subtle expressions were so well done. It felt like a real puppet, rigid and eerie.]
[Retiring at 30: Nobody's talking about the ending? That's the highlight, come on!]
[Typhlosion Lover: Stop it. There are people here who haven't seen it yet. Don't spoil it.]
[DmMe: Then kick out everyone who hasn't seen it so we can talk freely!]
"Hah! Kick out anyone who hasn't seen it?" Edward chuckled, scrolling through the lively discussions. The director felt a mix of amusement and excitement.
Despite his aspirations to become a leading horror director, Dead Silence was still his debut. Edward couldn't help but wonder how the film's opening day performance would fare across the League.
Most importantly, he eagerly anticipated the rewards tied to the movie's success.
(End of this chapter)