Locked in Silence

Locked In Silence is the true story of a 9-year-old named Stephen Cline (Marc Donato) who adopts a code of silence transforming him from wallflower to “celebrity.” It also nearly destroys his family when his self-imposed mutism continues for years. A traumatic secret and a desire to protect his brother John (Bill Switzer) from the iron fist of the law, propels him deeper into an abyss, ultimately from which he may never recover.

Stephen erects an artificial barrier between his mother Lydia (Bonnie Bedelia) and himself. He believes their extreme closeness allows her to read his thoughts and as a result, it nearly kills her. Her husband, Jim (Bruce Davison) is at first a reluctant partner in unraveling the mystery behind their son’s silence, but he eventually comes around.

It is Lydia’s determination to save Stephen that helps land him with Dr. Rosenstalk (Dan Hedaya), a psychiatrist who instills hope that Stephen will once again speak.