Director John Krasinski takes us back to a world where silence is still survival in A Quiet Place Part II from Paramount Pictures. Following the events of the first film, The Abbot Family is now comprised of matriarch Evelyn (Emily Blunt), deaf teen daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds), adolescent son Marcus (Noah Jupe), and a newborn baby. They have just survived a night of terror against blind creatures with hypersensitive hearing that attacks anything making noise. Sadly though, the patriarch of the family, Lee, lost his life in defense of his family in this first film.
Thankfully, though, Regan discovered that high-frequency audio feedback could incapacitate the creatures. Thus, she devises a method of transmitting the noise from her cochlear implant hearing aid through a microphone and speaker. The technique allows Evelyn to fatally shoot the creatures when they are vulnerable. The Abbots then set off on a journey to find any remaining survivors. Before long, they cross paths with Emmett (Cillian Murphy), an old family friend. Lee has become a reclusive survivor due to similarly losing his own family to the creatures.
Through an event, Lee and the Abbott's discover there are more survivors out in the world. The event gives director John Krasinski a perfect chance to separate our characters and set up a popcorn-pleasing, quick-paced thriller. The original A Quiet Place hit theaters with glowing reviews and vital box office in 2018, so a sequel was the next step.
John Krasinski handles the script duties solo this time. However, he keeps the same energy as the original film's writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. One of the best things about the film is the opening, which gives John Krasinski the chance to return to the role of Lee and showcase his alpha male, yet loving family instincts. While I never watched the actor's signature role of Jim on The Office, I primarily knew him for his comedy work. My viewpoint of the actor changed with his performance as a Navy Seal in 2016's 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.
Since then, I have been for Krasinski, and I am so impressed with his non-comedic work, I would not mind if he abandoned the genre altogether. The rest of the cast all provide the same depth they did in the first film, with Millicent Simmonds standing out as the deaf teen again. Noah Jupe shows that he is one of the best youth actors working today, while Emily Blunt could do this role in her sleep. The most substantial addition to the cast is Cillian Murphy, who taps into his persona from 28 Days Later to deliver a worthwhile performance.
My only gripe with A Quiet Place Part 2 is the brief arc given to Djimon Hounsou, who receives the credit known only as Man on Island. The part was initially intended for Brian Tyree Henry, who dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. I will not spoil what happens to the character, but you will understand why I did not like the handling of the character after seeing it.
A Quiet Place Part II never tries to top the first film, nor does it come to recreating the tense atmosphere established in the first film. Instead, writer/director John Krasinski has constructed a worthy follow-up, and I say bring on the threequel.
A Quiet Place Part II opens in theaters on May 27th.
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