Director: John Krasinski
By Alex Watson
John Krasinski has always been a dependable character actor. Stepping behind the lens, he reveals another very talented side of himself. Along with real-life wife Emily Blunt, A Quiet Place is one the most original and terrifying concepts that horror has offered in some time. Silence is the keyword throughout Krasinski's film and audience members should think twice about purchasing concessions because any rustling may cause people to jump.
Lee Abbott (John Krasinski) along with his wife Evelyn (Emily Blunt) and children Marcus (Noah Jupe) and Regan (Millicent Simmonds) live a secluded life on a rural property. The population of earth has drastically decreased as a group of invading aliens kill people based on hearing sounds. As a result, the family must live in total silence and try not to attract the alien's attention.
From the very first frame, A Quiet Place is designed to be stomach clenching. Quickly we learn about the dangers that the world now faces. In a very original twist, the aliens are in fact blind and attack based on sound, not sight. The Abbotts are family still reeling from a very personal tragedy in the opening sequence of the film. Evelyn is now heavily pregnant and the prospect of carrying a child into this new world is truly terrifying for them. Krasinski makes every small noise feel like impending disaster- a broken lamp, a scream or any tiny element of sound will mean a potential attack! Sound not only carries but it can also protect the family as well. In one scene, Lee teaches his son how the loud running stream next to them will mask any small noises. This family is permanently stuck in survival mode and this is part of what makes so appealing. Throughout they demonstrate a brand of smarts which give them the jump on their enemies when they most need it.
Throughout this film, there are red herrings to some potential disasters. An exposed nail will lead to one of the tensest sequences this picture can offer. For a movie that incorporates such little dialogue, it is impressive how layered the characters are. Lee is a man who simply wants his family to be safe and is obsessively looking for a weakness in his enemies. His fractured relationship with Regan is one of the pictures core elements. His daughter is deaf and suffers from terminal guilt over the earlier events of the movie- in her mind, she believes her fathers holds her responsible. Evelyn is the mama bear who is trying to hold it all together will still fearing for their own safety. Krasinski demonstrates a great eye and each shot in the movie feels authentic and carefully considered. While he does give one too many unnecessary jump scares, this blend of horror is completely unique.
A Quiet Place is strongest whenever a threat is present. Taking inspiration from classic horrors such as Alien, Krasinski makes us sit in silent terror as the Abbotts become the hunted. With some slick and memorable camera work by DP Charlotte Bruus Christensen, Kraskinski is able to draw his audience into this world and make us feel like we're also trapped with them. The third act also demonstrates how deeply this family love goes and there are moments of pure heartbreak which are also thoroughly uplifting. This picture refuses to simply descend into a shoot-em-up finale and instead it delivers an incredibly smart and unexpected payoff. The most terrifying part about this movie is that in this world- literally, no one can hear you scream.
John Krasinski is also on top form with his acting as well. Delivering most of his dialogue through sign language or expressions, Krasinski's turn speaks volumes. He able to convey a father's unlimited love and concern for his children using a very minimalist approach. Always an actor that we have thought capable in big films, Krasinski is now seen a brand new light. Emily Blunt adds some star power to this picture, but she matches her husband throughout. Through her silence, we can feel her characters unease but we can also sense the inner strength that she has to survive in this cruel world.
A Quiet Place is a horror film that earns points on its concept alone. A nerve-shredding and highly suspenseful affair, John Krasinski has arrived on the directorial stage.
