You’ve only got one shot at life. Whistle reminds you not to blow it.
In Whistle, we meet Chrys Willet (Dafne Keen), a young woman trying to survive her new high school. When she opens her new locker, she discovers a mysterious artifact that turns out to be an Aztec Death Whistle. After she and her friends blow into it, they discover that the terrifying sound that it emits is more than just to scare people off. Instead, it’s a call to their future deaths to hunt them down. As the body count rises, the group study the history of the artifact in the hopes to put a prevent their oncoming demises.
Directed by Corin Hardy, Whistle is a fun mish-mash of other teen horrors that eventually finds its own way. Part Final Destination, part The Ring and several other killer gems, Whistle does feel familiar in terms of its storytelling. As his third directorial effort in the world of horror, it’s easy to see Hardy’s influences on display. This is a film that knows the tropes of the genre and fully leans into them.
However, for that reason, one can also feel his enthusiasm as well. Although it starts off slowly, Whistle really hits the throttle as the film goes on. In this way, rather than feeling tired, Hardy’s film genuinely becomes a fun and nasty thriller that earns its wild finale. In many ways, this is a love letter to many of the other classics of the genre. Brutal and bloody, Hardy understands what it takes to make a story like this work and he brings such energy to the film that one can’t help but get on the ride.
After all, Hardy seems genuinely excited to kill off his young people, one at a time. From body contortion to snapping limbs and spilling guts, each death becomes more violent and vicious than the last.
Yet, somehow, the violence never overtakes his storytelling and, dare I say it? The story’s purpose?
Horror is often one of the best places to explore meaningful conversations and Whistle taps into the anxieties of life and death as a young Gen Z. When we first meet them, these high schoolers are simply living their lives in blissful ignorance. Sure, things aren’t perfect. The social hierarchy of high school is firmly in place and each person is dealing with their own issues. But, in the midst of it all, there’s a general sense of normalcy amongst the group.
They’re young and will live forever.
Yet, after the whistle is blown, they slowly begin to view their lives through different eyes. Suddenly, their sense of immortality disappears, leaving them to reflect on their inevitable end. In doing so, the film tries to instill some sense of purpose in these young people. Knowing that their future deaths are on the prowl, these youth are reminded that every moment they have matters. Somewhat ironically, recognizing their oncoming deaths, pushes them to live with more purpose now.
It’s also worth exploring that religious interests within Whistle offer little comfort as they look towards their final moments. This is best explored through the toxic influence of the town’s scummy youth pastor, a man who claims piety on Sunday but drug profits on Monday. Without giving too much away, there’s a hypocrisy within his character that validates their mistrust of any form of faith in what lies beyond.
I mean, if he doesn’t believe what he’s selling, why should they?
But its’s that spirit that makes Whistle a surprisingly fun ride. Even though it borrows from other films of the genre, it still has a life of its own. And, thankfully, Hardy makes the most of the time that we give him.
Whistle is available in theatres now.
