A Quiet Place Part II

WARNING! If you haven’t seen the first Quiet Place film, there are spoilers ahead.

Shortly after the events of “A Quiet Place,” the Abbott family (Emily, Marcus and Regan) are left with very few choices as to what to do with their lives after the death of Emily’s beloved husband, Lee. With very few resources remaining and with the knowledge of how to defend themselves and defeat the alien creatures, the Abbott family leaves their homestead on a quest for the other survivors. After all, as Emily (Emily Blunt) states, “There are people still worth saving.”

Along the route, the Abbott family runs into Emily’s brother-in-law Emmett (Cillian Murphy). While seeking refuge with Emmet, he informs his family that much of the world they know is gone and that those who are left are not the type of people you want to save (in other words, they’ve become very hostile towards the world and strangers). Emily takes this advice into consideration, as her first priority is her family, and the creatures they encounter are getting smarter every day, so venturing out isn’t the easiest option. As for Marcus and Regan however…

Marcus agrees with his Uncle Emmett. Regan, however, knows EXACTLY how to defeat these creatures, by increasing the frequency of her cochlear implant, amplifying it and aiming the sound at the creatures. Of course, her mother would never let her venture out on her own, and Marcus says he won’t support her sister on this, so Regan decides to sneak out and find someone who will help her defeat these creatures, once and for all.

In a recent interview with review aggregator, Rotten Tomatoes, Director John Krasinki revealed (and I’m paraphrasing)…

“[After] the first movie I truly never thought there would be a sequel. I don’t think anybody thought there would be a sequel, I don’t think the studio thought there was going to be a sequel. I didn’t want to do a second one because of the success of the first one. As corny as it sounds, I only wanted to do a second one if I could pull off the level of trust and respect the audience gave me. If I can find a way to return that level of respect and trust, I’ll do it…”

I respect his candor and appreciation for the cinematic arts and what makes for good filmmaking. Krasinski may still be new in Hollywood, but it feels like he takes time to know his audience BEFORE creating his product, and it shows.

While “A Quiet Place” emphasized the dread of silence and the type of fear that can instill, Part II’s primary focus is on what happens when the blindfold is off and you have to face a fearful foe. There’s plenty of intense moments of genuine uncertainty and anxiety, as the fear of the unknown still lurks around the corner in this film. Viewers may still feel like hiding with every step the Abbot family takes on the sanded path, whispering to themselves, “Please don’t step on a loud branch.” One never knows what element in an everyday scene is going to be the one that sends the aliens racing over in a matter of seconds. The tension is a testament to both the actors and Krasinki.

While in the first film the focus was on Emily and Lee, this time it is more of Regan’s story. Millicent Simmonds (who plays Regan) is a commanding young actress who shines in every scene she’s in. She drives the narrative, but not in the way some may expect. Her struggles don’t define her, they encourage her to press forward and she uses that to her advantage on screen. Even Cillian Murphy, who later joins her journey, is just along for the ride.

Last, but certainly not least, the film’s soundtrack is one of its defining features. The music is a prominent player in a good way. It flows evenly with the rhythm of the story.

What could be improved in this sequel? I think the overall pacing of the film. The first movie had a much more even pacing where, even when it was quiet, the action was a little more evenly placed. Also, I would have liked to see a little more character development in Part II, particularly with regards to the brother-sister relationship between Marcus and Regan; that relationship could prove valuable in Part III (who knows?).

Objectionable Material

Violence: The violence in Part II is much heavier, most of it in the form of the alien creatures attacking humans. People are dragged off screaming or tossed around by these creatures or killed (usually brief moments though). One person is stabbed on a pole by one of the creatures. The creatures are seen attacking cars as well. One particularly disturbing scene (I really wasn’t a fan of) is when a young character gets their foot caught in a bear trap. We can hear the child screaming and his foot bloodied. We also hear the child scream when antiseptic is poured onto the wound. Creatures are seen lit on fire and shot by shotguns and other weapons which result in seeing their insides and pools of blood. A man is seen struggling underwater with a noose around his neck. A character is pierced in the leg. We also witness some dead creatures and human corpses (some decomposed). A metal rod is driven into an alien’s head.

Morals

When Regan is asked why she is going to risk her own life to get help to fight the creatures, knowing full well that it’s extremely dangerous, she says, “Because it’s what Dad would do.”

How far would we go to protect the ones we love? I would hope to the ends of the Earth. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, sure did. He risked his own life, was spit on, mocked, tortured and crucified on a cross for us sinners, even for those who did not know Him. That’s love. That’s unconditional true love.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” -Mark 10:45

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” —John 3:16-17

“But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” —Isaiah 53:5

“By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” —Colossians 2:14

And, on this Memorial Day, when we thank and honor those who have served and continue to serve and protect and lay down their lives for us, remember this…

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13-17

Final Thoughts

“A Quiet Place Part II” is a film that feels like a “thank you for your continued support” from Krasinki and it shows. While nothing quite beats the original, this one comes pretty close, and it shows that the thriller genre is not dead and that some films, truly, are best left for the theaters.

While the film’s violence is bit heavier this time around, it doesn’t necessarily detract from the film, nor does it warrant strong caution. I would say, ultimately, the choice lies with you. However, if you plan on going I recommend you watch Part I first, and leave the children at home.

• Violence: Very Heavy— with blood and gore
• Profane language: Moderate— • “J*sus Chr*st” (1) • G*d d*mn (1) • “h*ll” (1)
• Vulgar/Crude language: Mild— • 2 S-words (4)
• Nudity: None
• Sex: None
• Drugs/Alcohol: • a character uses some vodka as an antiseptic for a wound • a character grabs some prescription medication from a store to help fight an infection
• Occult: None

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.