A Quiet Place Part II ★★★★
John Krasinski
Starring Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cillian Murphy, Djimon Hounsou
I’m not the kind of person to want to see a horror movie, but there’s something about the good ones that pull you in and hold you tight.
2018’s A Quiet Place was certainly one of those movies, and my excitement for a sequel was well met with the second part.
With their home now defenceless from the attack of the mysterious alien creatures, The Abbott family venture out looking for other survivors, now armed with their knowledge of how to fight back.
What this film has over its predecessor is a huge advancement in world building. While the small scale of the original helped to establish the subtle (and mostly silent) personalities of each family member, Part II puts our cast literally out of their comfort zone.
Although Emily Blunt is and will always be a highlight in her own right, the story forces a coming of age tale for both child stars: Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe that gives them just as much time to shine as the Golden Globe winning actress. The bond between them is both believable and perfectly portrayed.
As is the new addition to the cast: Cillian Murphy who plays a family friend from long ago living alone, reluctantly tasked with aiding the family. Whilst he could just as easily have been written as another father figure, Murphy delivers both complexity and development from start to finish that slowly humanises his character’s lost soul.
I have to pinch myself every-time I remember this film is directed by Jim from The Office. John Kransinki’s poetic direction is both a spectacle and a joy to watch, providing some picturesque shots of an apocalyptic world, constantly moving the story along at perfect pace.
As a horror, there are plenty of jump scares and eerily spine-chilling moments to keep you on edge - benefitted by the films simple lack of sound. This sets it apart from other horrors that like to catch you with a loud bang and keeps dreaded popcorn-rustlers at bay, literally hooked by the tension.
However, the surprise of Part I’s clear concise story holds this film back from being truly appreciated. It might be the nostalgia developed over the years between releases, but the many standout moments in the first entry answers the question as to which movie is better.
I must reiterate that A Quiet Place Part II does not suffer from sequel-itus and is a worthy addition for fans of the original. It offers a deeper look into the world ravaged by its uniquely terrifying monsters and boasts a compelling story carried forward by its brilliant cast.
A Quiet Place Part 2 available in cinemas from 31st May 2021