Rebecca Hall is otherwordly in icy, complex The Listeners – review
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Hysteria can feel almost enchanting. Take, for example, the "dancing plague" of 1518, when a large number of people in Alsace suddenly started dancing without any reason, or the "laughing epidemic" in Tanzania in 1962, which saw an entire community overcome by uncontrollable laughter. These strange shared experiences can be both disruptive and transformative. This tension is the focus of BBC One’s upcoming four-part drama, *The Listeners*, which follows an unusual group that comes together over a strange sound, even as their individual lives start to fall apart.
Claire (Rebecca Hall) works as a teacher at an upscale school in a vague part of rural England. She leads a calm and uneventful life with her husband Paul (Prasanna Puwanarajah) and their daughter, Ashley (Mia Tharia). Everything seems routine—almost tedious—until she starts to notice a persistent, low hum in the background. When she visits audiologists, they assure her that she's physically healthy and suggest it might be signs of early menopause or anxiety. “There’s nothing wrong with me physically,” she sighs, “which can only mean one thing…” Yet, Claire believes this sound isn’t just a figment of her imagination, and her suspicions are validated when her most challenging student, Kyle (Ollie West), admits he hears it too. Together, they find themselves drawn into a community of individuals fixated on a noise that threatens to disrupt their lives significantly.
Claire discovers a group of people who share her struggles, guided by the mysterious Omar (Amr Waked) and his seemingly more relatable partner, Jo (Gayle Rankin). However, the most concerning aspect is her ongoing connection with young Kyle, characterized by late-night messages, long drives, and visits to secluded places. Canadian author Jordan Tannahill, adapting his own book, begins by examining a woman who is deeply affected by a psychological crisis, but moves into a more significant narrative about emotional unraveling. "We're trying to understand what’s happening," Claire says to her daughter. "This is the understanding, mom," Ashley responds, "you’ve reached it."
Janicza Bravo, an American filmmaker celebrated in the independent film world, has collaborated with Lena Dunham and directed "Zola," notable for being the first film inspired by a Twitter thread. "The Listeners" seems more suited for a competition at SXSW than a prime time airing on BBC One. Its visual style is stark and has a certain chilliness reminiscent of directors like Ari Aster and Robert Eggers. The series is heavily influenced by horror, and its sound design and music play a crucial role in amplifying the unsettling vibe, especially as Claire's fragile mental state deteriorates. Additionally, striking visual experimentation is integrated into the narrative. While the characters resemble those from a trendy fashion catalog, the environment they inhabit lacks that polished, Instagram-worthy aesthetic.
The success of this narrative, focusing on a woman teetering on the brink of a nervous breakdown, largely relies on Rebecca Hall’s impressive performance. Her unique physical expressiveness, particularly in her neck movement, adds a striking quality that director Bravo expertly captures. This creates visually stunning scenes that blend her remarkable physicality with deep emotional turmoil. Some viewers may interpret the show's central element—the hum—as purely metaphorical, and they wouldn’t be wrong. However, the story does depend on its concept to drive the plot forward. Despite the characters’ inherent beauty, there’s an undeniable coldness present in "The Listeners." Claire comes off as detached and cynical; Paul is unyielding and aloof; Kyle is raw and relentless.
This suggests that viewers expecting a sci-fi story—similar to something like The Midwich Cuckoos, which portrayed a rather surreal version of England—may leave feeling disappointed. If the mysterious hum at the center of the narrative doesn't spark much interest, then the human relationships portrayed also feel unfulfilled. Claire struggles to express her emotions, even as she confronts her own discontent. She tells Paul, “Our life is good, but it’s also limited.” While many shows with artistic aspirations avoid simplistic answers, The Listeners fails to present even straightforward questions. Ultimately, the question “What is the hum?”—which initially seems crucial—loses significance. Whether taken literally or symbolically, it reflects the fading lines that the noise blurs.
The Listeners can be tough to follow, but if you stick with it, you'll find it rewarding. Bravo and Tannahill have crafted a surreal experience that uses familiar genre elements to tell a deeper story about human nature. It raises questions like: What do we truly desire? How do we go about getting it? What are we willing to sacrifice in the process? This is not just simple entertainment; The Listeners offers a rich exploration of connection and disconnection.
You can watch The Listeners on BBC iPlayer.
