The Mime 4 — Silence Has Never Been So Loud

After three increasingly bizarre and beloved entries, The Mime 4 had a lot to live up to — and somehow, it does. This fourth installment in the cult-favorite psychological thriller series manages to both escalate the stakes and deepen the lore, all while retaining the eerie charm that made the original so hauntingly memorable.

Directed once again by visionary auteur Lena Voss, The Mime 4 picks up three years after the events of The Mime 3: Echoes in Glass. The mysterious, speechless killer is presumed dead — but when a string of inexplicable silent murders rocks a small coastal town in Norway, questions resurface: Is the Mime truly gone, or has someone — or something — taken up the mantle?

What makes The Mime 4 so effective is its confident embrace of silence — not just as a stylistic device, but as a weapon. The film’s use of sound (and lack thereof) continues to be its strongest storytelling tool. Scenes are filled with long, unsettling stretches of complete quiet, where every breath and footstep feels amplified. When violence erupts, it’s shocking not because of gore, but because of the sudden break in stillness.

Visually, the film is stunning. Cinematographer Anya Kolstad returns with cold, hyper-composed frames that feel like moving paintings. The use of shadows, reflections, and wide, empty spaces contributes to an overwhelming sense of isolation and dread.

Unlike previous entries that focused heavily on tension and mystery, The Mime 4 gives more emotional weight to its characters. Anna Tveit (played masterfully by Sofia Lindstrom), a grieving violinist whose brother was one of the Mime’s original victims, leads the story with vulnerability and rage. Her descent into obsession — mirroring the Mime’s descent into madness — adds unexpected psychological complexity.

Returning fans will also be pleased to see the reappearance of Detective Kessler (Javier Méndez), now retired and tormented by his failures. His unlikely partnership with Anna provides both plot propulsion and emotional grounding.

Themes of trauma, identity, and inherited violence pulse beneath the surface. Who are we when we lose our voice? What happens when grief turns into performance — or vengeance?

Not everything in The Mime 4 works perfectly. A few scenes feel overindulgent in their symbolism, and the film’s final twist, while chilling, veers dangerously close to the absurd. Some viewers may find the slow pacing and abstract sequences frustrating, especially if they’re expecting a more conventional horror flick.

Still, the film never loses its hypnotic grip. Lena Voss continues to show why she’s one of the most daring genre directors working today, unafraid to challenge her audience with ambiguity and discomfort.

In an era of formulaic sequels and noisy franchises, The Mime 4 dares to be quiet — and it’s all the more terrifying for it. With stellar performances, haunting visuals, and a narrative that respects its audience’s intelligence, it’s a bold continuation that doesn’t just echo its predecessors — it expands them.

Whether you’ve been following the saga since the first silent scream or you’re just discovering the legend of the Mime, this installment will leave you breathless.

Rating: 4.3/5