Review: A Quiet Place Part II

“A Quiet Place II” is a horror film that uses silence to convey nail-biting suspense. John Krasinski, known for his role as Jim from “The Office”, directs, writes, and stars in the film. The silent dialogue is eerily dramatic, and it heightens the emotions of the characters. The plot focuses on a deaf girl’s family creating a conditional environment where there is no noise in order to avoid ravenous aliens who are sensitive to sounds. 

The opening scene is a perfect transition from the first film, “A Quiet Place”. It resets the narrative by providing the audience with insight into the aliens’ arrival, and the harrowing journey that the Abbots family is experiencing, following the death of someone close to them. The family is on the run, which has become increasingly more difficult with their new baby. The baby is constantly fussing, which causes the mother Evelyn (Emily Blunt) to become more unsettled as she struggles to keep her daughter alive. Evelyn is hesitant to act in any way that could jeopardize her family’s survival. This is especially evident when the family encounters their former neighbour Emmett (Cillian Murphy), who begrudgingly offers them refuge for the sole purpose of his own salvation. 

To ease her mother’s burden, Regan (Millicent Simmonds), the deaf daughter, embarks on a mission to find other survivors after discovering a clue amidst her father’s work. Regan eventually meets the close-knit community of survivors, and finally feels safe for the first time. The moment is short-lived however, as the group is suddenly attacked. Regan is confronted by one of the aliens, and makes a split-second decision to amplify the feedback from her cochlear implant, causing the alien she faces to writhe in pain and retreat.

“A Quiet Place II” is a post-apocalyptic environment where people have turned on each other due to fear. They have become more close-minded and desperate: “the people that are left…they’re not worth saving”. The theme that transcends throughout the film is the importance of sacrifice and the effect that it has on the individuals. The characters endure various obstacles and alternate between sacrificing themselves for their family, and sacrificing for the greater good of mankind. They are seen slowly losing their minds and their belief in humanity. They exhibit signs of emotional turmoil, and the chemistry between them is raw. The parents Lee (Krasinski) and Evelyn (Blunt) are married in real life, and the actress who plays Regan (Simmonds) is actually deaf. These facts magnify the narrative, making it especially realistic. John Krasinksi continues to exceed our expectations; he is a sensational visual storyteller who uses stylistic cinematography to keep the audience engaged.

More info & links:

• Director: John Krasinski
• Cast: Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Cillian Murphy
• Official Website
• IMDB

Catharine Horsley

Film Reviewer

Catharine Horsley is a film studies graduate from Carleton University, who is addicted to the cinema. She is very passionate about art, photography, and filmmaking. Her dream is to become a screenwriter or film critic. When Catharine isn’t watching movies, she finds joy in reading, writing, painting, and cooking.