I'm not typically fond of the horror genre, but when I saw my first trailer on "A Quiet Place", I thought the premise was not only original, but grippingly compelling. Horror flicks have their place, but what disturbs me about them is that they are generally written poorly in that they are all the same--slasher style with similar character development just about to make you yawn. You will not yawn with this one.
In this modern horror psychological thriller, a family of four, Lee Abbott (John Krasinski), Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt), and kids, Regan Abbott (Millicent Simmonds) and Marcus Abbott (Noah Jupe) must navigate their lives in silence after mysterious deadly creatures that hunt by sound threaten their survival. If they hear you, they hunt you.
This is a story that thrusts a family into an apocalyptic situation where these creatures have all but exterminated the human species. What's left is a handful of people, this family being part of, that are running for their lives unless they are completely quiet. These hideous creatures are blind, but have a keen sense of hearing allowing them to hear the slightest of sounds. Can anyone, specifically this family, survive such a horrific situation considering the cards are stacked against them?
Others to round out the cast are Cade Woodward as Beau Abbott and Leon Russom as Man in the Woods.
This was eerily directed by John Krasinski ("Brief Interviews with Hideous Men" '09, "The Hollars" '16) plus TV. Krasinski being a working actor definitely gives him that leg up of knowing what to expect out of his actors. And being married to his co-star, Blunt gives him that much more ability. The psychological tension that Krasinski builds here causes his audience to be bonded to these characters and not just spectators. He will direct more, as he should. It was rivetingly written by Bryan Woods ("For Always" '04, "Her Summer" '04, "The Bride Wore Blood" '06, "Spread" (TV movie) '12, "Nightlight" '15) plus shorts, Scott Beck ("Lost/Found" '03, "University Heights" '04, "The Bride Wore Blood" '06, "Spread" (TV movie) '12, "Nightlight" '15) plus shorts and Krasinski ("Brief Interviews with Hideous Men" '09, "Promised Land" '12) Plus TV, based on a story by Woods and Beck. Believe it or not, if I were to akin this with another film, it would be "Alien" in that both have a minimal cast where each film delves into the different character developments and quirks. They both have to bring its audience practically into an interactive situation so the audience can care about these characters. Certainly the two films are original in their own rights, but I can't help but think of some similarities. This film is all about the build up of tension these writers convey to us and we buy into it hook, line, sinker. I'll tell you, the psychological aspects of this film are far scarier than what the creatures are able to do. Scott Farrar, asc as Visual Effects Supervisor for ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic) creates amazing visuals that actually enhances this film more than detracts.
If you're in the mood to be scared to death, this film will do that. The acting, writing and directing is compelling as it is entertaining, and when one sees this, it will be remembered well past the roll of the credits. Other horror film writers need to take note of this and learn. This is 90 minutes of pure chilling tension that avid film goers will revel with.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 90mins.
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