The Silencing

The spear-launching tool used In the movie is called an "Atlatl". Spear-throwers appear very early in human history in several parts of the world, and have survived in use in traditional societies until the present day, as well as being revived in recent years for sporting purposes. In the United States the Nahuatl word atlatl is often used for revived uses of spear-throwers. Australian aborigines called their spear throwing tool a Woomera. It is still used by traditional owners in rural areas of Australia, and was in common use by first people throughout the country only 230 years ago.

The movie is supposed to take place in (fictional) Echo Falls, Minnesota. Although there is no Echo Falls, MN (there is an Echo, MN, but it is far southwestern MN), there are a few things that show/establish Minnesota (sheriff & other car license plates, missing poster 218 area code, 'MN Health Department' petition for death certificate, Minnesota state flag). But, the movie was filmed in Ontario, Canada, revealed in a few scenes. Easiest being ~ 30:45 showing Roy's Furniture & Appliances (Elm Street West and College Street) in Greater Sudbury, Ontario and ~1:12:00 showing the Hotel Ledo (Elgin St and Van Horne St) in Sudbury, Ontario...these locations are northeast of Michigan and ~650 miles from the Minnesota border.