A Family Ventures Further into a World Where Sound Brings Death

From left: Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, 
and Emily Blunt in "A Quiet Place: Part II"
Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com

Three years ago, actor-director John Krasinski made a stunning entrance into horror with “A Quiet Place,” a movie where he displayed a mastery of the genre that equaled what you would see in an experienced horror filmmaker.  With engaging characters, an intriguing premise, and an atmosphere that brought unending anxiety, audiences were given a ride that was both scary and thrilling.

Now, he returns to expand this story with “A Quiet Place: Part II,” a movie that not only continues to display Krasinski’s directorial skills, but is also one of the best horror sequels to come around in a long time.

Taking place right where the first movie left off, Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt), her daughter, Regan (Millicent Simmonds), her son, Marcus (Noah Jupe), and her newborn infant leave their home to search for survivors in a world that’s overrun by aliens who hunt by sound.  They soon encounter Emmett (Cillian Murphy), who reluctantly takes them in.  As time goes on, Evelyn’s family and Emmett have to learn to trust each other if they’re going to outsmart the deadly creatures.

Blunt, Simmonds, and Jupe continue the rock-solid chemistry that they shared in the first film, delving into the material they’re given to deepen their family dynamics and portray characters in whom you can become engaged.  Their arcs are fleshed out further as these characters are forced to abandon their home, and the performances that the three of them provide show the strength that their characters must elicit if they’re going to survive an uncertain world.

However, out of all three of them, the standout is Simmonds.  Simmonds, who’s hearing impaired, delivers a performance for a character who taps into her bravery in order to save the ones she loves.  She manages to say as much with her impassioned sign language as her fellow cast members say with dialogue, and once this series reaches its conclusion, Simmonds will be remembered as a highlight.

Murphy, who isn’t a stranger to end-of-the-world horror, having starred in Danny Boyle’s film, “28 Days Later,” offers a compelling performance of a man who’s had his own share of experiences that continue to haunt him.  Murphy gives Emmett a mysterious aura where you’re not sure where his character will go, and the intrigue that we see in him makes Murphy a wonderful addition to the continued unfolding of the world within the movie.

Although Krasinski’s screenplay has a bit of an uneven structure, he offsets this by expanding the world of the first movie, introducing new elements that bring you further into the threats that the characters face and creating many possibilities in which he can take the story if he makes a third movie.  Just as he, Bryan Woods, and Scott Beck did for their screenplay with the original, Krasinski offers a fine balance between the tense set pieces and scenes that build the characters and add more to their relationships as they face constant danger.

One of the most memorable parts of his screenplay is the opening sequence, which takes place on the day that the aliens begin their attack.  Given the decent length of this scene, we’re provided with an idea of what the main characters were like before the apocalyptic event, showing us a view into their ordinary lives that change in an instant. 

As a director, Krasinski once again delivers scenes of unbearable tension.  His impressive handling on atmosphere is dynamite throughout, but is most notable in the opening scene.  We know that we’re being brought through the day that changed the world for these characters, and the way in which he employs a small-town, eerie calm will have you clutching yourself as you wait to see how the alien invasion will unfold within their community.  During this scene, he uses cinematography from Polly Morgan that utilizes well-choreographed long takes to show the invasion commencing, with one particular long take being a sequence that takes place inside Evelyn’s car as she weaves her way through the chaos to shepherd her children to safety.

While horror sequels aren’t always a safe bet, “A Quiet Place: Part II” makes it clear that Krasinski, his cast, and his crew have a firm handle on what they want this series to be.  So, if Krasinski continues on the trajectory that his filmmaking talents are taking him, it’s certain that he will be making much more noise in the future.

Grade: A-