Director
John Krasinski
(THE HOLLARS)

Stars
John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe

On paper, A QUIET PLACE is working with a whole lot less than most other movies that belong to the same genre. On screen, this daring and darn good thriller/horror feature film achieves so much more.

Right from its riveting opening sequence, A QUIET PLACE tellingly states its case as an unsettling film to watch. Something which it upholds right until the very end.

Off-screen husband and wife John Krasinski and Emily Blunt star as a married couple who live by one simple and very necessary rule – never make a sound. They, along with their two sons (one of which is portrayed by WONDER’s Noah Jupe) and hearing-impaired daughter (played by Millicent Simmonds, who is also deaf in real-life) all rely on sign language as their primary form of communication. Together, they must bravely remain living in silence to keep safe from several fast-moving, monstrous creatures who inhabit Earth that rely on sound to attack.

The most notable contrasts to other creature features in A QUIET PLACE is the significant reduction in dialogue and characters throughout the entire film, its heavy use of sign language and the aforementioned modus operandi of its predators. These more original concoctions not only result in a fairly unique horror movie experience but also drag viewer’s right into its deserted world and apprehensive atmosphere more potently. Very rarely does A QUIET PLACE allow itself to succumb to the makings of a generic horror movie. In fact, the only real criticism I have are few too many overlooked flaws that result in the film falling short of achieving overall completeness.

Director, producer, star and co-writer, John Krasinski (best known for acting in the U.S. version of TV comedy series The Office) has impressively found inventive and subtle methods to inform viewers of some need-to-know information, which do contribute towards elevating his film. Of equal impressiveness is the conception and visual design work of the creatures. Those of you who may hold any concern that A QUIET PLACE also offers less visual horror will endorse the fact that there are regular sightings of the frightening creatures. Furthermore, the unobtrusive and appropriately applied music score frequently raises tension levels and ensures that A QUIET PLACE is no silent film. Rather, it has made substantial noise to the thriller/horror genre that ought to be heard.

3 ½ stars

Viewer Discretion
M (Horror themes and violence)

Trailer
A QUIET PLACE

Another above-average horror feature, which are also original in its own way that will interest you is IT FOLLOWS.

Moviedoc thanks Paramount Pictures for the invite to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc
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