Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family (Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe) must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

Here is my review of the film and a few little moments with Writer/Director John Krasinski on his return to theater tour!

The first real blockbuster post-pandemic is a sequel! A Quiet Place II dives back into the world of the Abbott family. Set just days following the first film we are thrust back into the dire existence of the remaining Abbott family members. John Krasinski takes the reins as writer and sits back in the director’s chair to bring us smack dab back into the horror of A Quiet Place.

Sound, or lack there of, was a huge element that made the first film so dynamic. The way in which that film focused its audiences to rely on the subtle nature of sound on screen harped back to the classic era of film. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods took the notion of an alien creature using sound as its radar to inflict deadly force was literally award-winning! In the sequel Krasinski and the team continue to maximize the importance of sound in the film’s plot and its mechanics. The way in which the sequel amps up the necessary focus on silence to battle the creatures is a new facet to the series. And yes I hope this is a series or at least a trilogy. The sequel’s opening sequence is set on DAY 1 that reveals that these are in fact alien creatures. Now who or why they have been sent or arrived on our planet is still a mystery, but their violent tendencies are devastating. I lean on these being a “weapon” of sorts since they just react to sound by killing with out feeding at all. Sorta like dropping a bomb on a country something has sent these nasty creatures to destroy. But NONE of that is truly important. In the end, we are given a story of survival mainly through the eyes of youth. Millicent Simmonds as Regan Abbott continues to impress with her strong performance. She is a beacon of hope in dark times or rather a beautiful chorus breaking down the terror.

Cinematographer Polly Morgan tremendous camera work is a real added bonus to the film. If the first film is all about the slow shock amidst silence the sequel is a barrage of fast fear. The constant movement of the characters is valuable in adding to the tension. The film is all about when will they “alert” one or more of the creatures. As our characters journey becomes more vast and further away from home the real impact of these creatures is unleashed. These aliens are hunting constantly and there keen sound tracker minds are forever on alert. Literally every bad step or sound let out by our heroes lets loose a total violent reaction. The major difference that the sequel adds is this constant odyssey of horror. As the Abbotts leave home we are given a scary journey that adds Cillian Murphy’s broken Emmett. The other major addition is the survivors left outside of the Abbotts and Emmett have reverted to becoming a new sort of enemy. As the world has been shattered by these invaders mankind has become violent themselves. We now have more issues for our travelers to worry about on their voyage.

Cillian Murphy’s Emmett is a real treat to the film as well. His tragic tale is another compelling emotional element that adds to the survival connection we have with the Abbotts. The way in which Emmett has been connected to the family gives life to the question of how do you overcome loss. His transformative meeting up with his friends, The Abbotts, is the real arc of the sequel. It is also through Emmett that Regan is allowed to have her final fatherly influence as her rise is the film’s ultimate moment of realization. But the rest of the Abbotts also go through tremendous growth in this sequel pointing to Krasinski’s powerful plot. Not only is the film a nonstop terror ride but it tugs at your heart in all the right moments. You want and need this family to survive so you are forever taking each silent step through the darkness that lays ahead.

Easily the film that deserves to be the blockbuster success to usher folks back into theaters. Safely and soundly (less) we need to see this masterwork on the big screen.

Search and see this film as soon as you can!

AND…

For a few treats from Krasinski and Paramount Pictures:

Here is John in Cleveland surprising fans!