John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place is one of the best horror films of the decade. An outrageous, thoughtful, and creative film filled with lessons and suspense that will leave us in a state of being apart from you. This was the first horror movie that made me cry.
Krasinski uses this to create a dreadful sense of atmosphere throughout the film. The rules that exist in this universe are established early on with minimal exposition. After all, the characters can’t communicate with each other openly. Additionally, since very little is known about these creatures, the film smartly implements one of the fundamental rules of the genre—the fear of the unknown. This setup pushes the family to invent creative ways to survive. Emily Blunt plays his wife, and their real-life chemistry translates brilliantly. Noah Jupe and Millicent Simmonds play two of their children. Being a deaf actress, Millicent is the perfect choice to star in this mostly silent film, and her authentic performance stands out along with Blunt, who showcases her impressive acting range. Horror, in particular, only works if you’re invested in the characters, and this cast absorbs you into their terrifying world.
As the conversations are primarily restricted to sign language, sound design plays a significant role in creating a heightened sense of dread and tension throughout. Although slow-paced initially, this is a deliberate screenplay decision that then leads up to a suspenseful second half. Granted, some of the events require a brief suspension of reality, but it’s a small price to pay for a film that is most enjoyable because of its understanding of the genre and innovative use of the elements it sets up. A Quiet Place can only be appreciated in silence with the least amount of conversation during its runtime.
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