Wow! An exploration of christian faith that is 1000 times more interesting than almost everything I’ve seen before. The fact that I am a christian definitely affects the way I saw this film, but I think you can enjoy it even without that.

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭20‬  What does the title of this movie mean? Like any good piece of art, it is open to many and perhaps all interpretations. Does the silence refer to the last letter from Father Ferreira and the lack of knowledge of what happened to him after? The very thing that sent Rodrigues and Garupe on their journey to Japan in the first place? Is the silence when God does not answer the prayers of Rodrigues and save the other Christians around him from death or torture by the Japanese government? Is it his quiet stubbornness and refusal to apostatize to save those very Christians himself? And is it his final submission and resignation, the quiet private faith he keeps in order to keep others and himself safe? This is a moving story, and it is not one with a clear answer. The obvious answer is why can’t anyone leave everybody the hell alone? We don’t really get an answer to why Christianity could not exist in Japan, just that it cannot. Perhaps because it cannot coexist with something else. 

probably andrew garfield's best performance? truly haunting and probably the most lonely and depressing film I've ever seen. I don't think i have ever felt this much sympathy for characters in a film ever. marty really shows how sad and how desolate lives of everybody in 1600's Japan were back in the day. seeing those men go through the different trials and tribulations and still keep their faith to their god is so inspiring (as much as they could of course). I guess the only sort of criticism i'd give this movie is it's underutilization of Garupe, I don't know it just feels like he's like the second man to Rodrigues sometimes. adam driver still gives his best, andrew steals the show though. the actors who played the japanese were really great too, they really made you feel enraged and their superiority complex to their fellow country people. overall, great, depressing and such a disturbing movie. this film will probably linger and stay with me for a long time to come