A Quiet Place II - A Movie Review

Don’t make one sound in the forest or the monsters will hear you.

A Quiet Place II is a 2021 sequel that picks up after the events of the first film. The remaining members of the Abbott family venture into the unknown. Facing the terrors of the outside world, they are threatened by new terrors.

It has been a while since I felt audience excitement in a movie theater setting. Watching A Quiet Place II at the Topsfield Drive-in was an incredible experience. People were afraid to accidentally honk their cars or bite down on noisy candy in fear that they’d alert the monsters. A Quiet Place II is a gripping and suspenseful continuation of a story about bravery.

Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe return. They each delivered enticing performances. From start to finish, the Abbott family is in a constant state of fear. However, the dynamic of the Abbott family is not the center focus like in the previous film.

Millicent Simmonds steals the show. She is a strong young actress. Regan is aggressive and she refuses to take no for an answer. Deciding to take action, Regan ventures out on her own. Simmonds conquers that no disability will ever stop your from pursuing obstacles.

I am very impressed by Noah Jupe. He knows how to manifest the right anguish. As I explained in my review for the first Quiet Place, I felt like Marcus didn’t have enough to do other than be scared. Jupe has a chance to deliver a powerful moment of growth. It is my favorite scene of the film.

Because John Krasinkski is only in the film for the riveting opening, it’s not the same without him. Due to his absence, Blunt was pushed to the sidelines. Blunt still manages to pull off an engrossing performances, protecting her kids.

Introducing a new character to the screen, Cillian Murphy does an excellent job. Emmett has not had an easy ride through the chaos Murphy delivered powerful emotional moments, connecting to the fear of his character. I got the feeling that he was supposed to be the replacement for Krasinski which didn’t work.

Be prepared for one of the most epic openings. The opening for A Quiet Place II is the most action-packed, well-directed, and frightening sequence I have ever seen. It captures audiences. I could just feel the excitement illuminating from moviegoers at the drive-in.

John Krasinski knows how to deliver horror. He had excellent camera work, tense moments that make you terrified to bite down on your m&ms, and a gripping soundtrack. I was also impressed with continuity. He did not miss a beat with continuing the story right where the first film left off.

Special effects, sound design, and cinematography were incredible. The aliens looked frightening. Once again the looming camera angles and silence were a great effect. Though I feel like the music was too much of a giveaway at times when there was going to be a jump scare.

More attention could have gone to the story. The story was not as strong. It could have been longer. Part of it did not work because it split up the family dynamic. Each member has their own storyline. It felt out of place.

The film also ended too abruptly without any feeling of closure. Whether there is going to be a third film, I would like to find out more.

All in all, I had the best time watching A Quiet Place II at the drive-in. You have to witness A Quiet Place II in theaters. This epic film cannot be missed.