Film Review: Silo

With a seemingly low budget, no big name stars, and a runtime of an hour and sixteen minutes, Silo might not seem like it’s all that much. However, at around the twenty minute mark when the big inciting incident occurs, the film showcases a lot of skill in crafting a compelling small town thriller. The big idea? Following an accident at a local farm, a teenager, Cody (Jack DiFalco), finds himself stuck inside a grain silo, and getting dangerously close to going under. The locals and first responders have to work fast and together in order to get him out alive.

Written by Jason Williamson and directed by Marshall Burnette, who had previously covered the subject in a short documentary a few years back, Silo is propped up as the “first-ever feature film about grain entrapment,” inspired by an incident in Mount Carroll, Illinois as reported by NPR in 2014. I have no reason not to believe the claim, as I definitely haven’t seen a picture with this subject matter. It’s clear the filmmakers are not just trying to make a straightforward thriller, but they also want to shine a light on a deadly situation that is apparently quite common in farms across America, even though it might not be something we would hear about unless it was happening where we live.

A few years were spent by the filmmakers in doing research, and working with first responders and farming communities in order to get the most authentic portrayal of the situation possible. And the results speak for themselves. As a thriller, it keeps things tight and focused and totally without filler. It showcases the steps taken to help Cody while he is stuck, first getting him in a harness, and later being given oxygen, and such. It’s a long and grueling process though, as the film covers about an entire day for the rescue effort.

The film’s attempt at adding drama beyond the main situation can sometimes come across as a bit hokey. Cody’s father has long passed away from a similar manner, and many of the locals fear history repeating itself. However, the cast provides a very believable small town charm and sense of resilience that rings true. From Cody’s mom, Valerie (Jill Paice) to friends and farm workers played by the likes of Jeremy Holm, Danny Ramirez, and Jim Parrack, everyone contributes in the naturalistic vibe the film is going for. They bring in enough little touches to really sell the sense of community despite the focus being limited to getting Cody out.

Silo ultimately proves to be a really engaging film. For being his first feature length effort as a director, Marshall Burnette shows strong instincts in highlighting character within the margins of a story that is otherwise devoid of anything remotely superfluous. It didn’t take much for me to become invested in the situation, and it definitely gets across the terror and claustrophobia of being stuck inside a grain silo, slowly suffocating from the weight that is being pitted against your body. It’s nerve-wracking, and it’s captured effectively on screen. Considering it probably didn’t have the most resources as an indie production, it’s a well made picture, especially with the lighting. While I don’t see this being one that I would revisit often, it’s a film that gets the job done, and it does so while teaching its audience about something that is an everyday reality for a lot of farmers, and I think there’s a lot of value in that.

Silo will open in select theaters and virtual cinemas on May 7th.