‘A Quiet Place: Part II’ Review

The first A Quiet Place is such a success because it had a simple premise and did the most with it. John Krasinski proved himself to be a masterful horror director through suspenseful sequences where the slightest noise would make you jump. Even when in the theater, you wanted to stay silent. While A Quiet Place: Part II doesn’t reach the same high levels as the first, but it’s still a great experience with lots of suspense and creature mayhem.

Premise

A Quiet Place: Part II follows the Abbott family right after the events of the first film. Now forced to go back into a desolate world, the Abbott family encounters elements in this new world that may be even worse than the monsters. However, the Abbott family may have also discovered the secret that could save everyone. 

Review

The best part about the first film is that while being a masterclass in suspense, it also focused on the family at the center of the film. The sequences of terror became even more frightening since we cared for the characters and the relationship they have. In A Quiet Place: Part II, it’s no different. This film really focuses on characters as these characters continue to expand in their own way.

Emily Blunt is once again great as the mother of this family. She doesn’t have as much to do in this, but still brings a great performance whenever she’s on-screen. More time is given to Millicent Simmonds, the daughter who is deaf, which in a world you have to be aware of the noise you’re making creates plenty of interesting scenarios. Simmonds almost has a leading role in this film as her mission acts as the main narrative for the film. I love the moments where we are put into her head and can only hear what she hears. She’s really fantastic in this role and I’m happy they gave her more to do. 

Noah Jupe who plays the son in the family is the one character who didn’t get much to do. If anything, his storyline actually got in the way of the main one involving Simmonds. Unfortunately, both Blunt and Jupe get sidelined in this film and are mainly here because we care about what’s happening to them, even if it’s not as important as the other storyline. 

The main addition to the cast is Cillian Murphy, who plays a friend of the family before the monsters arrived. Murphy’s character is completely changed by his environment and he has to learn how to make his way back into the world. He’s good in the film as he helps Simmonds on her journey. 

John Krasinski absolutely kills it with the direction of this film once again. It’s extremely tense and doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares to keep you frightened. The simplest noise will have you on edge and there are times where I didn’t even want to look. There is a lot more action with the monsters and they kill a lot more people in this one. They still feel threatening, even though they can be defeated now. 

Krasinski is in the film briefly in the opening scene. The opening shows the first day of the attack and it’s so exciting. The world goes into chaos and no one has any idea what to do about these creatures. It’s a great opening and immediately hooks you into the film. The film is excellently paced as well. At only 97 minutes, it never outstays its welcome and even sets up a third film. It ends similarly to the first with an abrupt cut to credits that serves as a cliffhanger, but I didn’t mind. 

Final verdict

A Quiet Place: Part II isn’t as good as its predecessor, however, it’s still an excellent horror film that prefers suspense over cheap scares. Its storylines sometimes get in the way of one another, but the main narrative carries enough weight to keep you invested. Its characters are all very likable and there are plenty of shocking moments. I wouldn’t be against A Quiet Place 3 if it delivers the same level of excitement and masterful filmmaking. 

Final score: 4/5