Review: "A Quiet Place"

Thanks, John Krasinski. Now, I'm going to have incessant nightmares about drowning in grain silos.

Krasinski, the affable star of The Office, it turns out, has quite an eye for horror, not that his directorial effort A Quiet Place is ever truly terrifying (while, besides that silo scene). It is, however, immensely entertaining and exciting and exceedingly well-acted by all involved.

The picture opens on the Abbott family who, not far off in the future, appear to be among the few remaining survivors in a world on lockdown. You see, the planet as we know it has been invaded by blind extraterrestrial monsters that, more or less, resemble grasshopper-spiders on steroids and are supremely sensitive to even the slightest of sounds. Should anyone or anything make a peep, they're sure to draw the ire of these vicious visitors.

The Abbotts, led by dad Lee (Krasinski) and mom Evelyn (Emily Blunt), are master survivalists but one tragic hiccup results in their youngest child falling victim to the creatures, an event that draws unwanted attention to the surviving family - Lee, Evelyn, daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds) and son Marcus (Noah Jupe). The relationship between Lee and Regan is especially affecting and absorbing - she blames herself for her brother's death and cannot recognize the love her father so clearly still feels for her.

As you can imagine, events transpire that draw the beasts closer to the family, resulting in one riveting set piece after another. Krasinski particularly gives Blunt and Simmonds (who was so wonderful in Wonderstruck last year) prime material to chew on, characters and situations far more compelling than what's seen in today's average horror flick. The humans, I must say, are leaps and bounds more interesting than the monsters, which aren't the least bit scary and are probably seen a tad too often.

A Quiet Place ends on a note that some may deem anti-climatic but I happen to think it's quite badass. The proceedings have a look and feel similar to last year's stirring It Comes at Night, though this picture is more fun and agreeable and, for better or worse, a whole lot less paralyzing. 

Kudos to Krasinski for a jolly spring chiller.

A-