If you were never any good at the quiet game, you probably wouldn’t last long in John Krasinski’s (yes, “that guy from The Office”) hellish scenario.

In the near future, ravenous monsters befall the world and destroy life as we know it. The monsters, while blind, have hypersensitive hearing and attack sound wherever it comes from. After their son’s death at the hands (pincers?) of one of these Dead Space-like beasts, a mother and father (Emily Blunt and John Krasinski), must carry on a nearly silent lifestyle in order to protect their remaining children—a son and a daughter (Noah Jupe and Millicent Simmonds).

A Quiet Place is a refreshing horror genre entry. Much of the film is almost (if not completely) silent, with only the soft pitter-patters of feet running on sand to be heard. That being said, your enjoyment of it will greatly hinge upon how well-behaved your audience is. This isn’t a fault in the film itself; merely a warning. If your fellow moviegoers are a little on the chatty side (or the take-out-your-phone-to-text-and-p***-everybody-off-side), it’s safe to say you’re in for a frustrating time. But if you have a good crowd, you’ll be able to fully experience the terror and suspense the movie so adeptly evokes.

For the most part, A Quiet Place doesn’t stoop to cheap jump scares and other lousy scare tactics. The anticipation builds organically, allowing viewers to be afraid on their own terms.

Aside from the obvious conflict of having the continual possibility of being impaled by a mutated crab creature, a good fright fest needs another ingredient: a reason to fear for those experiencing the on-screen nightmare. For Krasinski, that’s conveyed through the family dynamic. They all shoulder a bit of guilt for letting their youngest get gobbled up by Larry the Lobster of the underworld. They blame themselves; not each other, and that appeared very clear, which is why it seems improbable that the daughter feels so alienated by her father. While some of that hostility may stem from her father attempting to “fix” her deafness, the movie also tries to communicate the feeling that she suspects her father blames her. It’s a tough sell, but a flaw far from fatal to the overall effort.

Simmonds’ character is also important mainstream representation for people with debilitating conditions. Krasinski places her in an active role and depicts her with power and heroism. Simmonds, who is deaf in real life, also magnificently acts the part, and proves herself a young star to watch out for.

A Quiet Place is sure to get under your skin. Its story elements hold up well enough to let the terror shine through. Whether you appreciate the premise or not, there’s something deeply unnerving about the idea that a poorly timed fart could mean your abrupt, merciless death.

Sails: 4/5

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