Movie review: 'A Quiet Place' has thrills, chills and lip smacking

A Quiet Place is maybe too quiet for those who scare easily. There is something about watching vulnerable characters on the screen having to be completely silent to avoid being slashed to bits, which gets audiences pretty squirmy for 90-minutes.

It’s also too quiet for those of you who can’t stand listening to people chew their popcorn loudly or continuously rustle their candy bags.

Left to right: Noah Jupe plays Marcus Abbott, Millicent Simmonds plays Regan Abbott and John Krasinski plays Lee Abbott in A Quiet Place. Image: Paramount Pictures

Like the horror films Lights Out and Don’t Breath, playing around with people’s senses of sight or sound has always been a fun way to build some tension.

If we had to categorize A Quiet Place than it would fall somewhere into “smart horror.” It uses a lot of classic genre elements and ideas, but what director John Krasinski does so well is bring emotion and heart into the film. It allows you to root for the characters.

The story plays on the protective instincts of parents towards their children, as they struggle at all costs to keep the monsters outside the door at bay. A family is beset by blind mystery beasts, with fang-laced mandibles, that attack anyone who makes a noise. There is no real backstory but what’s clear is that these creatures have ravaged the world and the family must learn to survive on a secluded farm without making a peep.

Emily Blunt and Millicent Simmonds in A Quiet Place. Image: Paramount Pictures

Imagine trying to do that with two small boys, a deaf preteen girl, and a baby on the way? As a parent, I say, good luck with that! I’m pretty sure most families would die on the first morning. So yes, you do have to suspend your disbelief a tad for this movie. Not to mention, why would you get pregnant during this silent alien apocalypse anyway? Seriously, have you not heard of contraceptives?

As bizarre and off the rails as things are narrative-wise, the film relies heavily on its actors, who do a tremendous job of bringing you into their little chaotic life. Krasinski not only directs but he also stars alongside his real wife, Emily Blunt. They ooze chemistry so playing the role of partners on screen comes naturally. But having to act without saying much is no easy task. Most of the dialogue is through sign language, faint whispers, and facial expressions which added to the overall ambiance of the film.

Audiences spend the 90-minutes going shhh…

Image: Paramount Pictures

Outside of Krasinski and Blunt, the children also provided solid performances. Noah Jupe (Suburbicon) does a great job of playing the scarred son, while Millicent Simmonds (Wonderstruck), who’s hearing-impaired in real life, does incredible work as the deaf but tough daughter. Her handicap arguably helps the family survive the alien invasion.

As I said at the beginning, don’t go and see A Quiet Place with your chatty friend or sit near people who eat. It’s a quiet movie by design, and you want to completely lose yourself in the tension, the effects, and sound design which includes the haunting score by Marco Beltrami.

See also