A Quiet Place

     If you would have told me a decade ago that Jim from The Office was going to star in a highly successful sci-fi horror film, I would have probably believed you because he is a terrific actor. However, if you would have also told me that he was going to direct that same exact film, that I would have been a lot more skeptical of, but here we are. John Krasinski has gone on record saying that he is not a major fan of the horror genre, but that he agreed to direct and star in this film due to its family element that is present. That same family element is what helps separate this from other horror films, especially those of the sci-fi genre. While the creatures that terrorize the characters are clearly important, they are not the main focus of the film. The film tackles various issues such as family loss, loyalty, acceptance, frustration, and love.

            Right from the opening scene you can tell that this film is different from many. I had the pleasure of watching this in a theater and when the film started and everything was so eerily quiet, it was interesting to notice that all of the guests stopped eating their popcorn and sipping their drinks and just focused on the film. It was almost as if everyone was afraid to make a sound or did not want to be the one to ruin the atmosphere for everyone else. When a film can cause that sort of reaction from its audience, it has done something right. The silence is what will define A Quiet Place. It is agonizingly quiet and because of that a certain sense of suspense and dread builds throughout the film. As a watcher, you know that at any moment you are susceptible to a jump scare, but the way the film utilizes them is brilliant and sparing. The creatures themselves look great. They are terrifying and the way they move is creepy.

            As stated before, the main element of this film is family. As you watch the film you see that the characters have suffered through something traumatic, and one character in particular feels responsible for something tragic within the film and thus her relationship with her father is strained. That part of the film is such a vital one because it sets up for a climax that is both devastating and beautiful. John Krasinski and Emily Blunt are fantastic and obviously have terrific chemistry. One other thing that I love about the film is that the daughter within the story is deaf and she is played by actress Millicent Simmonds, who is also deaf. Inclusivity is just a great thing to see.

            For all the good that the film does, though, it is not perfect. One issue is the lack of a backstory. We are dropped into this post-apocalyptic world from the start with almost no explanation for it. One can only hope that the sequel will touch on that. Another issue I have with it is the exposition board that John Krasinski’s character has in his office. It is a cheap ploy that easily explains to the audience why the creatures in the film are difficult to defeat. It just utilizes no creativity and looks ridiculous. Still, the film does a lot of things right and helps us jump into the new age of horror. Minor nitpicks aside, I had a great time watching this film and I look forward to the sequel. Official Rating: 4 Stars.