A Quiet Place is truly one of the most suspenseful films I've seen in a long time. A very unique story that sets the focus on a family trying to survive in this post-apocalyptic world, this is one that needs to be seen!
“In this “MIND-BLOWINGLY TENSE” thriller, a family must navigate their lives in silence to avoid mysterious creatures that hunt by sound. Knowing that even the slightest whisper or footstep can bring death, Evelyn (Emily Blunt) and Lee (John Krasinski) are determined to find a way to protect their children at all costs while they desperately search for a way to fight back. Hailed by critics as “SENSATIONALLY GRIPPING” and “HEART-POUNDING” A Quiet Place is the must-see movie of the year.”
The film opens several months after these mysterious creatures appeared that changed the world for everyone. Scavenging for medicine in town, Evelyn and Lee Abbott cautiously search an abandoned store with their three children, Reagan (Millicent Simmonds), who is deaf, Marcus (Noah Jupe) and the youngest, Beau (Cade Woodward). Because of Reagan’s condition the family has already taught sign language to all of their children, giving them one advantage in this new world of forced silence. The Abbotts must still teach their children the dangers of noise, and when Beau takes a toy space ship from the store with him with his sister’s permission, we see the consequences when it unexpectedly makes noise on the trek home.
Almost a year later the family is still reeling from their loss, Reagan especially blaming herself for giving her brother the toy, with a strained relationship between her and Lee. The frustration of living in a world where she can’t hear noises she’s making is isolating her from the rest of her family, who has prepared elaborate security systems and adapted day to day activities without sound. One pressing matter that they are trying to prepare for is the coming of a new baby which Evelyn is scheduled to give birth to in about a week. However, things don’t go according to plan as all hell breaks loose in which the family must put all of their countermeasures to the test when the unexpected happens.
A Quiet Place was one of the surprise hits of the year, gaining critical acclaim as one of the most innovative and original films in recent memory. Director and star John Krasinski departs from the genre he’s known best for to bring us a masterfully crafted film in which he casts his real life wife Emily Blunt opposite of him. Their chemistry on screen is undeniably terrific, bringing real depth to these characters whose only desire in this world is to protect their children. What’s most endearing about the film is its focus. It only follows the lives of this family in a small rural town, and the only information we get about the creatures is through newspaper headlines we see scattered throughout the film and observations written by Lee trying to figure these creatures out. We don’t need to know the origin of these creatures, what happened when they arrived. We’re dropped into the middle of it on day 89, then over a year and a half after the beginning of it all. The film is about family, survival, and forgiveness, set in a post-apocalyptic/sci-fi setting, without the need for all the exhibition of the origin of the creatures and the fall of civilization.
As we learn about the Abbotts and their relationship with their children, the sacrifices they make to keep them safe and how they try to maintain a stable environment for them to learn and develop despite having to stay silent at all times, it’s interesting to see how this is all accomplished without the use of dialogue in the traditional sense. Sign language, gestures, and facial expressions make up the majority of the communication which is very effective at conveying emotion and also creating tension in the right moments. Once the trigger is set off, the film is escalated to a point you can’t imagine, ranking as one of the most suspenseful films in years.
My only issue with the film is the fact the tension and suspense runs so high and doesn’t stop from when it starts at about the mid-point all the way until the final shot. Typically there is a B-Story that acts as a break from the main story and in films like this the suspense and tension. Here, there really isn’t much of a B-Story at all that I can discern. The audience simply doesn’t get a break, and although it may be exhilarating for some, it can be exhausting for others. It’s definitely a thrill ride that you won’t forget for a long time.
A Quiet Place is easily one of my favorites of the year, a breath of fresh air in a genre that can easily become stale. Krasinski proves that he is much, much more than a comic actor and has brought to life a story that will ensure audiences cringe and scream, but also appreciate the wholesomeness of the characters.
Video
A Quiet Place is presented in 2160p 4k Ultra High Definition Widescreen 2.40:1 with HDR and Dolby Vision. The film looks absolutely stunning in 4k, with the vivid color, brilliant brights and deep darks. The Dolby Vision especially looks fantastic with the dynamic metadata that adjusts the levels depending on the scene. Since the film gradually changes from day to night, this is very beneficial in seeing the differences as the brightness diminishes yet still maintaining a fantastic balance of color.
The Blu-Ray disc is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen.
Audio
The audio is presented in Dolby Atmos, and for a film titled A Quiet Place, there isn’t any shortage of loud sequences that will really work out your surrounds, providing an amazing balance between them. Equally impressive is the score, which beautifully sets the scene for each sequence. There is some really beautiful music here, something you’ll easily notice during your viewing.
Special Features
There are a few extras located on the Blu-Ray disc, and although interesting and informative, they aren’t very long. This was a fascinating world to discover, one that had me asking so many questions despite knowing the film is about the family and not the creatures.
On this set you’re going to see:
- Creating the Quiet – Director John Krasinski gives you a behind the scenes look at A Quiet Place
- The Sound of Darkness – Creating the sound of a silent world
- A Reason for Silence – The art of unforgettable visual effects
A Quiet Place for me was a one of a kind film that came out of nowhere. With the success of the film and recognition of operating outside his wheelhouse, I look forward to seeing more of what John Krasinski is capable of in the future. In the mean-time, pick up this film when it’s released and enjoy the hell out of it.
