A Quiet Place: Enjoy the Silence…
For moviegoers, the A Quiet Place trailer has been no stranger to their collective minds. Unlike other trailers that give the entire story away, such as Truth or Dare (no need to see it now that we know half the characters are already dead and the plot’s been laid out like a dissected animal), John Krasinski’s teaser left much to the imagination. But does the actual film live up to the critical hype?
In A Quiet Place, the Abbott family must keep quiet or perish. The surname suits the troupe since the name’s associated with the head of a group of monks in a monastery, though in this case, the vow of silence is far from voluntary. The world has changed for the Abbotts, and for any other survivor due to a relentless force that reacts to sound.
John Krasinski co-wrote the script with veteran horror writing team: Bryan Woods and Scott Beck, based on their story. Krasinki also directs and shares the screen with the wonderful Emily Blunt.
Krasinski and Blunt make for a convincing husband-and-wife team fighting to keep their children alive in a new reality of insurmountable fear. After all, humans were once top of the food chain, but thanks to a single event south of the border, that’s no longer true. Humanity has become scrambling rodents for a different kind of predator.
The ever-capable cinematographer, Charlotte Bruus Christensen keeps us right where we need to be, and her photography complements the strength of what makes this movie resonate: Sound.
Yes, it’s in one’s best interest to remain silent in A Quiet Place, but whenever sound enters the picture, thanks to Erik Aadahl and company, jolts abound, which maintains a level of tension and suspense that doesn’t subside until the end credits roll.
The smart writing and great acting, including young co-stars Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe, helps set this tale apart from the herd. Those who aren’t fans of the genre may embrace this film simply because it’s so well executed in its subtlety and power.
This is part of what makes A Quiet Place so special: a unique premise, quality storytelling, and a relatable family dynamic. Krasinski and company have crafted something wonderful that sets it apart from the re-tread trash horror fans are normally force-fed movie after movie.
A Quiet Place delivers on all levels and lives up to the hype. That alone is a rare treat for genre fans that must endure much dreck, so if you want an intimate ride through a new kind of horror, do not miss this film.
The film pairs well with Cloverfield, 10 Cloverfield Lane, and imagine it replacing the abysmal The Cloverfield Paradox. Finally, A Quiet Place makes for a interesting double feature with the phenomenal Pontypool.
4 out of 5 stars.
The Plot Sickens: Check out Billy Crash’s review of a different kind of slasher: Last Girl Standing!
Billy Crash
Also known as William D. Prystauk, he loves great, in-depth characters and storytelling in horror, and likes to see heads roll, but if you kill a dog on screen he’ll cry like a baby. Billy co-hosts THE LAST KNOCK horror podcast on iTunes, and can also be found on Twitter, LinkedIn, IMDb, Amazon, Behance, YouTube, Instagram, and Google+.
(Photo of A Quiet Place from KROQ Radio.)