While Ross and Matt Duffer are known forStranger Things,the Duffer Brothers wrote and directed for film and TV before becoming famous for the story of Hawkins, Indiana. They wrote four episodes ofWayward Pines, the adaptation of Blake Crouch’s science-fiction book series, and also wrote and directed the 2015 horror movieHidden.
AlthoughHiddenmay not be well known, at least not as popular as the series that the writers/directors/producers would go on to create, the Duffers Brothers explore similar themes as their hit Netflix series.Hiddenis about a family hoping to survive a terrible zombie outbreak and the characters never waver in their love for one another. There are elements ofHiddenthat are reminiscent ofStranger Things,which proves the talents of the Duffer Brothers and makes this horror film a must watch.
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Hiddenmay be aforgotten 2010s horror moviebut it definitely deserves to be watched. The story has echoes ofA Quiet Placeas Claire (Andrea Riseborough) and Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) live in a bomb shelter with their daughter Zoe (Emily Alyn Lind) and try not to make any noise. They don’t want to draw attention to themselves and hope that their worst nightmare doesn’t come true. Zoe calls the zombies “Breathers,” which is a memorable and terrifying detail. Just like how Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) hopes to protect her kids at all costs inStranger Things, Claire and Ray want to keep Zoe safe.
Hiddenwill remindStranger Thingsfans of the popular series in a few different ways, namely that it has a tough, unforgettable child character and a well-done ending. Thebest characters inStranger Thingsseason 4include Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and the rest of her friends. There are hints of Eleven in Zoe because although Zoe is a kid and still innocent, Zoe often takes the lead and helps protect her parents. It’s interesting that Zoe is the one who decides that people who are infected should be referred to as Breathers. She’s wise and seems to have an innate understanding of what’s going on. As her parents attempting to stay calm while obviously freaking out, Zoe feels that she has what it takes to figure this mess out.
Zoe has a can-do attitude the whole movie, doing what needs to be done such as making a periscope and seeing Breathers approaching the family from far away. While there are many horror and thriller films that focus on families trying to get through a zombie outbreak or weather disaster or something of that nature,Hiddenstands out because Zoe is a thrilling character to watch. Sometimes horror films about families can feel generic, but Zoe’s love for her parents is sweet and it’s easy to imagine the three characters having a great time together in a better, safer setting.
The ending ofHiddenis also worth noting, and while it’s so sad that it might not be asatisfying horror movie ending, it does feel like the only logical conclusion. Claire and Zoe are infected with the disease that is causing people to turn into Breathers and they say goodbye to Ray. Ray’s death is as sad as Lee Abbott (John Krasinski) dying to save his children inA Quiet Place. In both movies, it’s heartbreaking but feels right that the mom characters are left to finish the job of keeping their kids safe. Claire inHiddenand Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) inA Quiet Placeare forced to become tougher than they ever wanted to be thanks to their terrible situations.
ThebestStranger Thingsquotesare funny and intelligent and prove the Duffers Brothers have a talent for telling smart, heartfelt, and thrilling stories.HiddenandStranger Thingshave something else in common: the stakes remain high for every character, no matter what. The family inHidden’s survival is never a given considering the incredible odds they would have to beat to not become infected. This is similar to how Eleven and the other main characters have to survive the Upside Down inStranger Things.
Zoe’s smart personality helps elevateHiddenbeyond typical movies about the same subject. While it’s not amovie that twists the mythos of zombies, as the events of the story are fairly straightforward, Zoe is such a great character that everyStranger Thingsfan needs to watchHidden.It hits all the marks of a fun movie about characters who are trying to protect one another while attempting to survive against all odds. It’s easy to compare the movie’s setting to Hawkins and the Upside Down, proving that the Duffers Brothers know how to craft a solid story.
