I remember A Quiet Place being a really engrossing theatrical experience. However, over time, the film itself hasn’t really stuck with me as much as I would have initially thought. It’s thrills are largely superficial, with little going on in terms of theming and subtext. Not to say that I think it’s bad in retrospect, far from it, it’s still an expertly crafted horror film, but it’s just one that doesn’t offer a whole lot of staying power. I think a big reason why a lot of folks have warmed up to it is simply due to the fact that the film actively encourages its audience to shut the hell up. I think I speak for most moviegoers when I say the gesture is very much appreciated.
Having been the first big film to be delayed during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, A Quiet Place Part II is finally out, and it picks up right after the events of the last film. Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) is forced to lead her newborn and two kids, Regan (Millicent Simmonds) and Marcus (Noah Jupe), out of their farmhouse, and out to the world. Not too long after venturing out, they bump into a trap that leaves Marcus injured. Thankfully, they are saved by Emmet (Cillian Murphy), a fellow survivor and old friend, who has long lost his own family during the monster attacks. He is not as keen on helping, but must reconsider after Regan discovers a potential safe haven.
John Krasinski returns as the director, and he also takes sole writing credit this time around. I will say up front, I was pleasantly surprised by this. It somehow manages to do everything a sequel to a film like A Quiet Place should do while keeping consistent with the rhythms and efficient storytelling that defined all the best qualities of it. It expands the world, and brings in new details about how everything came to be, and yet, it still clocks in at a clean 97 minutes. Editor, Michael P. Shawver, keeps the film going at a engaging pace, and knowing when to let the atmosphere settle in and allow the tension to build. There’s a number of really suspenseful sequences, and it doesn’t rely too heavily on jump scares to get you on the edge of your seat.
Although, there is that issue once again where the film doesn’t offer a whole lot aside from intense genre thrills, and again, not that it’s inherently a bad thing because of it. The only drawback that comes from its economic story sensibility is that is doesn’t really get much of a chance to explore what is meant to be the biggest new conceit. The way Krasinski chooses to expand this world is by showcasing how this invasion has changed the people who have survived, some are simply trying to get by like Evelyn and Emmet, but there are also those that he describes as “not worth saving.” So, basically the standard post-apocalyptic gangs who survive at the expense of others; and there seems to be a distinct Last Of Us influence with how it’s displayed here. Unfortunately, after this setup, we get precisely one very brief encounter, and nothing else. It’s odd to see the film try to do the whole “humans are just as monstrous as the monsters” thing, but not offer much conflict to go with that.
Despite that, what helps make it all work is that the actors are really bringing it. While the script itself plays more broad, the actors largely downplay things, and it allows them to bring in certain nuances that would have otherwise gotten lost had they played as big as everything else in the film. A big surprise in this one is that Emmet and Regan are probably the closest the film has to leads, not to say that Evelyn gets sidelined, but there is a point where her storyline becomes less emphasized in favor for the journey that Emmet and Regan go on, and it’s for a good reason. Emmet has the real arc of the film, learning to reconnect with his humanity again after experiencing so much trauma and grief. And Murphy’s dynamic with Simmonds is stellar, who proves once again just how great of a presence she is.
Overall, I had a really great time with A Quiet Place Part II. There’s something to be said about how the idea of creating a horror film based around monsters who listen for their victims is a conceit that could only be expressed through film, utilizing image and sound, as well as the lack of sound, to build maximum suspense. It’s impressive seeing John Krasinski handle himself through these beats and sequences, capturing these moments with clarity, strong blocking, and a sense of momentum. I also appreciate seeing Krasinski really push that PG-13 to its absolute limit. Marco Beltrami returns as the composer, and he brings a pulsating rhythm that helps keep the pace going, and emphasizing the dramatic and emotional beats really well. I still wish that these films had a bit more meat on their bones, but as a simple and straightforward genre exercise, it bring a lot of thought and care into the craftsmanship that you don’t often find in a lot of studio horror films. If they decide to move forward with a third film, I would look forward to it.
A Quiet Place Part II is now out in theaters.