Why Emilia Clarke’s ‘Voice from the Stone’ Was Quietly Shelved and Forgotten

Emilia Clarke, the acclaimed actress best known for her iconic role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, has been a prominent figure in both television and film. Her diverse career has spanned a variety of roles, from action-packed blockbusters like Terminator: Genisys to heartfelt dramas such as Me Before You. However, not all of Clarke’s films have seen the same level of success or promotion. One such film, Voice from the Stone, seems to have been quietly sidelined by its studio, raising questions about the decisions that led to its lackluster release and reception.

The Mysterious Disappearance of “Voice from the Stone”

Released in 2017, Voice from the Stone is a supernatural psychological thriller set in 1950s Tuscany. Directed by Eric D. Howell and based on Silvio Raffo’s novel, the film stars Clarke as Verena, a nurse who is called to aid a mute boy living in a castle. As Verena begins her work, she becomes involved in the boy’s belief that his deceased mother’s voice is trapped within the castle walls. Despite the intriguing premise and Clarke’s strong performance, the film struggled to gain significant attention and is often considered “buried” due to its limited promotion and release strategy.

A Limited Release Strategy

The film’s launch on April 28, 2017, was decidedly low-key. Voice from the Stone had a limited theatrical release and was distributed by Momentum Pictures, with a premiere date of April 20, 2017, in St. Paul, Minnesota. The film’s box office earnings were disappointingly low, totaling just $87,273. When compared to Clarke’s other films like Me Before You, which enjoyed widespread promotion and a strong box office performance, Voice from the Stone appears to have been given minimal marketing support.

This limited distribution and underwhelming release strategy hint at a possible decision by the studio to reduce investment in the film, potentially due to a lack of confidence in its commercial potential. Films with niche appeal, especially those that fall within the supernatural or psychological thriller genres, often face such challenges, but it’s evident that the studio’s handling of this film was particularly restrained.

Critical Reception: Mixed Reviews and Audience Disinterest

Critical reception to Voice from the Stone was mixed, with the film receiving a 36% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 25 reviews, with an average rating of 5.49/10. Metacritic scored the film 42 out of 100 based on seven critics, further indicating that the film was met with a lukewarm response. Reviews cited the film’s atmospheric setting but criticized its pacing, lack of suspense, and underdeveloped characters. Some critics compared it unfavorably to other supernatural thrillers like The Others, highlighting the missed opportunity to deliver a more engaging narrative.

While Clarke’s performance as Verena was praised for its emotional depth, the film’s flaws overshadowed her efforts. Audience discussions on platforms such as Reddit revealed that many viewers were surprised by the film’s obscurity, with several posts noting how Voice from the Stone had “flown under the radar.” Fans who had enjoyed Clarke’s performances in other films expressed disappointment over the lack of visibility for this project, which may have contributed to its poor box office performance.

The “Burial” Hypothesis

The term “buried by the studio” is often used in the entertainment industry to describe a film that receives minimal promotional support, often due to poor early test screenings, a lack of commercial viability, or other factors that lead to a subdued release. While there are no direct statements from Momentum Pictures confirming this was the case with Voice from the Stone, the evidence supports the idea that the film was not given the same promotional push as other Clarke-led films.

The film’s release in a limited number of theaters, combined with the lack of significant marketing, suggests that the studio may have lowered expectations for its commercial success. Without the usual fanfare or promotional materials that accompany major studio releases, Voice from the Stone quickly faded into relative obscurity.

Comparisons to Clarke’s Other Projects

When compared to Clarke’s other films, Voice from the Stone stands out as an outlier in terms of studio support. Me Before You, released in 2016, had a robust promotional campaign and became a box office hit, grossing over $208 million worldwide. Similarly, Last Christmas (2019), which also starred Clarke, received moderate promotion and performed reasonably well at the box office.

In contrast, Voice from the Stone felt like a smaller, quieter project, with little to no fanfare in the lead-up to its release. This stark difference in promotion raises questions about whether the film was intentionally sidelined by the studio, especially when considering that Clarke’s name usually brings a certain level of audience interest.

The Fallout: Fans and Industry Reactions

Although Voice from the Stone didn’t receive the attention it deserved, there are still fans who admire it for its unique atmosphere and Clarke’s performance. However, the film’s lack of visibility has led to a sense of disappointment, particularly among those who appreciate Clarke’s talent and were hoping for a different outcome. The film’s relatively obscure release has led many to view it as a missed opportunity—both for Clarke and for the genre of psychological thrillers.

In the entertainment industry, the decision to limit a film’s promotion can often be linked to financial considerations. When a studio has doubts about a film’s potential for success, they may opt to scale back its release to minimize losses. Voice from the Stone may have been a victim of such a strategy, with the film’s “burial” reflecting the studio’s decision to quietly release it rather than risk a larger investment.

Conclusion

While Voice from the Stone may not have garnered the success that Emilia Clarke’s other films have achieved, it remains a notable part of her diverse career. The film’s limited release, poor box office performance, and mixed critical reception suggest that it was “buried” by its studio, likely due to a lack of faith in its commercial prospects. Despite its obscurity, Clarke’s performance in the film deserves recognition, and the film’s atmospheric qualities show that, under different circumstances, it could have had a much larger audience. For now, Voice from the Stone serves as a reminder that not all films, no matter how talented the cast, can overcome the challenges of limited studio support.