When I was still toying with the idea of writing a blog, A Quiet Place was one of the first films I attempted to write a review on, however considering my blog didn’t go live for another 8 months you can probably imagine that my first draft didn’t go very well!

Having recently rewatched the film and with the release of A Quiet Place 2 postponed due to Covid-19, I figured now would be a great time to revisit the horror film that, rather ironically, got everyone talking.

Written and directed by John Krasinski, of the American Office fame, A Quiet Place follows the Abbot family as they attempt to survive in a post-apocalyptic world where even the smallest sound can cost you your life, which is excellently demonstrated in the incredibly intense opening 15 minutes or so.

A year or so later, the family are a little fractured but still going strong. Whilst matriarch Evelyn (Emily Blunt) prepares herself for an impossible task, husband Lee (John Krasinski) works to train up his son, Marcus (Noah Jupe), repair the cochlear implant for his deaf daughter, Regan (Millicent Simmonds) and find a way to defeat the aliens who have taken over the planet.

One of the most impressive things about this film is the amount of suspense and tension that is achieved with a limited cast and very little dialogue. The tension is so tangible it permeates into your viewing experience. You’ll be conscious of every shift you make in your seat and, trust me, nachos are not a good choice for this movie experience (I learnt that the hard way!).

The decision to forego the typical ‘day zero’ storyline was a welcome surprise and the lack of backstory helps add to the mystery and intrigue. With no idea where the monsters came from, how they arrived, or what they want, our focus is purely on the survival of the small family unit with which the story revolves.

Fortunately all the Abbot family members were brilliantly cast and bounced well off of each other. Noah Jupe’s performance as Marcus is subtle yet sensitive. Despite the burden of responsibility that is being put on his shoulders, he is still the youngest Abbot and as such, perhaps offers the most honest insight into the sheer terror that these creatures invoke.

As a deaf actress, Millicent Simmonds brings an authenticity to the role of Regan, whose deafness plays a hugely significant role in the events of the film. Delivering a strong and mature performance, Simmonds effectively portrays the frustration and guilt that her character harbours, holding her own amongst the star quality that exudes from Krasinski and Blunt.

Not content with directing and co-writing the film, Krasinski also takes on the role of Lee, a husband and father desperately trying to protect his family in near-impossible circumstances, no matter the cost. The amount of strength and emotion he portrays is impressive and captivating to watch. The onscreen chemistry between Lee and Evelyn is tangible and beautiful to watch, aided by the fact that Krasinski and Blunt are married in real life.

Speaking of Blunt; as good as the others may be, for me, she is what makes this film truly shine. She perfectly balances strength and vulnerability, pride and despair. She is the keystone that holds the family together, managing to build up some semblance of a normal life whilst preparing herself for a truly terrifying task. And that bathroom scene is truly powerful.

With such a simple premise, limited special effects and an exceptionally small cast list, there really is nowhere to hide in this film. Thankfully everything comes together brilliantly and we are taken on an intense nerve-wracking journey for the entire one and a half hour runtime. If you’ve not seen A Quiet Place yet, then get cracking… you won’t be disappointed.