03-019 Dead Silence, the missing puzzle of The Conjuring Universe?

03-019
Dead Silence, the missing puzzle of The Conjuring Universe?

When looking into James Wan’s filmography, you will find most of his movies developed into big franchises.

James Wan’s filmography

James’ early movies like Saw, Insidious & The Conjuring all became big franchised. In recent years, we saw him setting foot on some of the already developed franchises. Furious 7 is part of Fast and Furious. Aquaman is DC.

But there is one being left behind. Up till now, it is a standalone, with no connection made to other universes, nor any sequel or prequel planned. It is, the 2007 Dead Silence.

Dead Silence, directed by James Wan

The movie is generally poor rated. Though someone disagrees and claims it a James’ forgotten gem.

Why 'Dead Silence' is the forgotten gem of James Wan's Horror Oeuvre
https://www.popmatters.com/james-wan-dead-silence-2646165002.html

Movie watching is very personal. Just like music, you no need to like a certain singer just because someone says he or she is good. But when I saw someone said this movie should be, or will be a part of The Conjuring Universe, I decide to give it a go.

Why Dead Silence Should Become Part of The Conjuring Universe
https://screenrant.com/dead-silence-movie-sequel-conjuring-universe-reason/

Warning: Spoiler ahead.

Story starts with an old legend.

The movie starts with an old legend of an unrestingly spirit, waiting to revenge. It possesses horrifying dolls. Jump scares and ghost in mirror reflection appear throughout the movie.  It is very James Wan, isn’t it?

The ambience of Dead Silence fits very well with James’ later horror movies. But to consider a common universe, storyline is more important.

Timeline

Center of The Conjuring Universe are undoubtedly the Warrens. Not everything in The Conjuring Universe needed to be factual but at least, nothing should happen outside Warrens’ lifetime. Distinct from The Conjuring movies, Dead Silence did not give a date. But we can find this out from its storyline.

Mary Shaw's birth certificate, showing she was born in 1869.

Mary Shaw's tomb shows she died in 1941.

The movie indicates Mary Shaw died in 1941. And the mortician Henry Walker watched her show just a few months before her murder. Henry did not mention how old he was but from his appearance, I think age 8 is a good guess. 

Henry watched Mary Shaw's show when he was a boy.

She looks really like in her 70s.

Jamie's great granduncle was found missing weeks after the show and Mary Shaw was murdered soon after.
This indicates the show must be happened in 1940 or 41.

The 'present date' Henry Walker looks in his 70s or even older.

And Henry nowadays looks like 70s. So, simple mathematics! 1941+70-8. Dead Silence should occur in early 2000. CZsWorld simply set the release year 2007 as when the story took place. Ed Warren was already dead by that time.

Jamie's home has a lot of classic items like a reel-to-reel tape recorder and vinyl record player.
But I also saw a cordless landline phone.

Jamie got an old dining table, but the other kitchenware looks very IKEA.
Also, don't overlook the CD player on top of the fridge.

Ella got a collection of CD.
This shows the story could not be happening in the 70s or even 80s.

Scene outside the Chinese takeaway.
Car model shows the story happens in a modern time.

Isn't that a POS with TFT monitor on the cashier?

Continuity

At the end of Dead Silence, Mary Shaw took Jamie Ashen. Many are not satisfied with this ending as evil won. However, I noticed there is a half second pulse before Jamie screamed. I think Jamie did this with intention. He fully realized he was the last in his family line and wanted to end everything up. At the final scene, we saw Mary Shaw adding the Ashen’s family photo to the last page and closing her sketchbook, which signifying that the curse is now ended, and her spirit will move on. Jamie scarified himself to set Mary free. The story is completed. There is no place to add a sequel and link it up with anything.

Someone also suggests maybe one day we will see Ed Warrens bringing a possessed ventriloquist doll back, putting it next to Annabelle. But all Mary Shaw’s 101 dolls were burnt to ash in the movie. What else can the Warrens bring back?

If I must give a connection between this movie and The Conjuring Universe,
I would say the movie idea. Isn't the doll on the left Annabelle?

I don’t think Dead Silence can be a part of The Conjuring Universe. But it is a steppingstone for James to develop his horror universe. I recommend this movie to all of you.

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