The Surprising New Trend in Film and Books? Silence.

Why the Next Big Trend Might Be… Silence (In Books, Film, and TV)

When Silence Speaks Louder Than Sound

We live in a world that won’t shut up. Notifications ping, ads autoplay, TikToks scroll endlessly. Every second competes for attention. But lately, a strange trend is emerging in entertainment:

Silence.

No dramatic soundtrack. No witty dialogue. No background noise.

Just… stillness.

And somehow, that silence is more powerful than a monologue.

From the near-silent scenes in The Last of Us to bestselling novels where white space carries emotional weight, creators are embracing what once felt like dead air. They’re proving that silence isn’t empty—it’s deliberate, emotional, and increasingly powerful.

Let’s dive into why silence in entertainment might just be the boldest storytelling move of the decade.

 1. Silence as a Storytelling Device: Not a Fluke

Silence has always had a place in art—think of the haunting tension in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho or the silent chapters in Toni Morrison’s Beloved. But recently, silence isn’t just a technique—it’s becoming a narrative core.

 In Film:

• A Quiet Place (2018) built its entire horror around soundlessness. The result? $340+ million box office.
• Drive (2011): The main character has less than 500 words in the entire film.
• All Is Lost (2013): Robert Redford survives alone at sea—almost wordlessly.

 In TV:

• The Last of Us uses quiet landscapes to build emotional impact.
• Better Call Saul lingers in moments of silence before chaos strikes.

 In Books:

• Literary novels like On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and The Road use white space, short fragments, and quiet introspection to emotionally ground the reader.

“Silence isn’t the absence of story—it’s where meaning gathers.” — Anonymous screenwriter, 2022 Writers Guild Panel

 2. The Psychology Behind Why Silence Works

Silence may seem like a lack of input, but it’s deeply stimulating.

Here’s what silence triggers:

• Heightened attention: We lean in. What will happen next?
• Self-reflection: The audience fills in the gaps with their own emotions.
• Emotional tension: It creates anticipation and vulnerability.

A 2023 study from the Journal of Media Psychology found that silent scenes increased emotional memory retention by up to 35% compared to scenes with continuous sound.

 3. Silence as Rebellion: Anti-Noise in a Hyperstimulated World

In an age of algorithm-driven content and dopamine-driven binge culture, silence is a countercultural choice. It forces us to slow down and feel.

Why is this important now?

• TikTok has shortened attention spans; silence reclaims them.
• Streaming content blends into noise; silence stands out.
• Overproduced content feels fake; silence feels raw and real.

Much like the minimalist movement in fashion or “quiet luxury” in design, silence in entertainment signals depth over flash.

  Genres Where Silence Is Dominating in 2025

 1. Post-Apocalyptic and Dystopian Film

Silence emphasizes survival and isolation. Think The Road, Children of Men, The Last of Us.

 2. Psychological Thrillers

Stillness builds suspense. The Night Manager, The Silent Twins, and even Mindhunter use ambient soundscapes to focus your attention.

 3. Literary Fiction

Authors like Ocean Vuong and Jenny Offill embrace fragmented, whisper-soft storytelling that requires active emotional engagement.

4. Art-House and Indie Cinema

Minimalist dialogue and long, quiet scenes are standard in films like Roma or Past Lives, which gained Oscar buzz for their use of emotional restraint.

5. The Rise of Ambient Media and “Slow Entertainment”

Slow TV and ambient books (like The Overstory by Richard Powers or meditative documentaries like My Octopus Teacher) prove there’s an appetite for content that doesn’t rush.

 Google Trends shows a 70% spike in searches for “ambient storytelling” and “slow cinema” between 2022 and 2025.

This means creators are responding to burnout by crafting works that offer peace, not pressure.

 Case Studies: Silence Done Right

 A Quiet Place (2018 & 2020)

• Dialogue is sparse, but emotions are clear.
• Used sound strategically, not constantly.
• Earned critical and commercial success—a rare horror genre feat.

 The Sound of Metal (2019)

• Used sound distortion and silence to mirror hearing loss.
• Audiences “felt” the character’s deafness emotionally.
• Won Academy Awards for sound design.

 BoJack Horseman – “Fish Out of Water” Episode

• Nearly silent episode that became one of the most loved in the series.
• Proved that silence in animation can heighten emotional storytelling.

But… Can Silence Go Too Far?

Yes. When misused, silence can feel:

• Pretentious
• Slow to the point of boring
• Confusing or alienating

Silence needs context, pacing, and emotional buildup. Without intention, it risks being mistaken for lack of creativity or laziness.

How Creators Use Silence Strategically

Creators are not just “adding silence” randomly. They are:

• Using it after emotional peaks to allow reflection
• Juxtaposing it with moments of loud chaos
• Building intimacy between character and viewer/reader

Silence becomes a rhythm—like a rest in music.

Creator Quotes About Silence in Storytelling

“Sometimes silence says everything you need to know about a character.” — Greta Gerwig

“The hardest scenes to write are the ones with no words.” — Charlie Kaufman

“In the quiet, the audience becomes a participant.” — Barry Jenkins

External Sources

• Journal of Media Psychology – Sound vs Silence in Emotional Memory
• The Atlantic – Why Quiet Scenes Matter More Than Ever
• Google Trends – Rise of Slow Cinema

Why Silence Is the Boldest Creative Choice

Silence is no longer a gap to fill. It’s the message.

In books, on screens, and through speakers, silence invites us to pause, reflect, and feel deeply. And in 2025’s chaotic digital landscape, that’s exactly what people are craving.

The next big trend? It’s not louder. It’s not flashier.
It’s quieter—and smarter.