A Quiet Place
By Jeffrey M. Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Gripping monster movie has lots of tension, some blood.
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A Quiet Place
Community Reviews
Based on 89 parent reviews
Perfect First Scary Movie for kids
Incredible Movie!
What's the Story?
In A QUIET PLACE, the world has been invaded by monsters that are attracted to sound and attack anything that makes noise. The Abbott family has managed to survive by staying very quiet; this is partly thanks to eldest daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds), who's deaf; the family already knows how to speak American Sign Language. Practical father Lee (John Krasinski) and mother Evelyn (Emily Blunt) have built a stronghold filled with stored food, surveillance cameras, warning lights, and even a Monopoly game with soft, silent playing pieces. But Regan blames herself for an earlier family tragedy, and son Marcus (Noah Jupe) is deathly afraid to go out and risk facing the monsters. Things get more difficult when the pregnant Evelyn must deliver her baby in silence. Her situation is further complicated when the baby is ready to come, and she finds herself alone, with the monsters circling...
Is It Any Good?
This gripping, clever monster movie is one of those rare genre treats that seizes on a simple, unique idea and executes it so perfectly and concisely that it elicits satisfying squeals of delight. It's directed and co-written by Krasinski, who's best known for his work in comedy but translates his experience in that genre to the expert building and releasing of tension here. A Quiet Place is, in many ways, like an extended classic horror movie sequence, such as famous ones in The Birds or Aliens, wherein the heroes must try not to disturb packs of resting monsters.
At the same time, Krasinski uses his quiet moments like music, ranging from moments of restful beauty -- including a father-son trip to a waterfall, where it's noisy enough that they can talk and even shout -- to moments of pause. A loud noise can cause a jump, but it's immediately followed by tension and dread: Will the creatures come this time? The real beauty is the movie's primal quality, based on the most basic elements of life, such as survival and protection of the species. No explanation is given for the monsters' existence; they, like us, are just here. Images of water, sand, bare feet, crops, and plant life serve to underline the theme of life itself. A few overly familiar horror movie clichés keep it from being perfect, but otherwise A Quiet Place is so good that it will leave viewers speechless.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about A Quiet Place's use of violence. How did it affect you? How much violence is actually shown? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of horror/monster movies? Why is it sometimes fun to be scared?
Do you think it would be hard to stay quiet for long periods? How long have you gone without making a sound?
How does the deaf character come across? Is she strong? Admirable? Does the movie make you interested in learning more about American Sign Language?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 6, 2018
- On DVD or streaming: July 9, 2018
- Cast: John Krasinski , Emily Blunt , Noah Jupe , Millicent Simmonds
- Director: John Krasinski
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Paramount Pictures
- Genre: Horror
- Topics: Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: terror and some bloody images
- Last updated: April 22, 2024
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