Experimental horror cinema has welcomed an eerie new addition as Haunters of the Silence officially arrives on Tubi. Grounded in abstract dread and an unsettling psychological atmosphere, the film translates the terrifying phenomenon of sleep paralysis into a haunting visual journey. It offers genre fans a unique, claustrophobic viewing experience.
Conception and Personal Inspiration
However, the feature is a personal passion project for husband-and-wife filmmaking duo Tatu and Veleda Heikkinen. Together, they wrote and directed, and handled cinematography and editing. Drawing directly from their own lived experiences with sleep-wake disturbances, they aimed to craft an atmospheric narrative. One that captures the disorienting vulnerability of being trapped inside one’s own mind.
Co-director Tatu Heikkinen reflected on choosing the central theme. He noted that sleep paralysis provided the perfect foundation for their shared artistic vision. Having experienced the terrifying phenomenon firsthand, the duo aimed to replicate the overwhelming sensation of abstract dread. Also where time, spatial awareness, and reality begin to warp and distort uncontrollably.
“When we first got the idea to make a film together, it was quite easy to pick sleep paralysis as a subject. We both love ambient horror and experimental cinema, and sleep paralysis as a subject matter lent itself really well for that kind of dark and psychedelic aesthetic that we wanted to create”, says co-director Tatu Heikkinen.“I’ve had sleep paralysis, and it was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. We tried to capture that atmosphere of abstract dread that distorts your perception of time and place.”
Grassroots Production and Festival Success
Filmed between 2024 and 2025, the independent production took a highly intimate, hands-on approach. The couple filmed the project at their home in Portland, Oregon. They also used local settings to heighten the narrative’s claustrophobic, deeply unsettling tone.
However, before making its digital streaming debut, the film built impressive momentum across the international film festival circuit. It premiered at the Serbest International Film Festival. Then, it won Best Experimental Film at the Paris Film Awards in October 2025.
Where to Watch
Horror enthusiasts seeking a hypnotic blend of folk terror and surreal psychological suspense can stream Haunters of the Silence for free on Tubi. Physical media collectors can also purchase the film on DVD directly through Savo-Karelian Productions.
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