A Quiet Place: SXSW Movie Review

The U.S. remake of “The Office” is one of the most successful television shows of all time, so when the show’s star, John Krasinski, announced his directorial debut, it immediately went on everyone’s radar. A Quiet Place stars Krasinski, alongside his wife Emily Blunt, as a married couple who must navigate life on a farm in complete silence while being preyed upon creatures that hunt by sound. 

It’s an undeniably ambitious premise, and the comedian is able to craft a lot of tense moments, but it’s unfortunately not as restrained as it could’ve been. The creature is revealed full-on both way too early on, and is repeatedly shown throughout. Fear of the unknown is a lot more terrifying, than a standard-looking CGI monster. That being said one of the most commendable things about the film is its commitment to staying “quiet”. A good 90% of the dialogue “A Quiet Place” is communicated through sign language with subtitles appearing on-screen. This helps heighten the tension and mystery surrounding the situation, and allows for some bravura performances from Emily Blunt, and deaf actress Millicent Simmonds, who portrays the couple’s daughter. 

Aside from a select few tense moments (the most notable being featured in the image above, another involving corn.), A Quiet Place left me somewhat underwhelmed. I found myself walking out of the theater with questions as to character’s motives, and the somewhat comical last-frame left a bad taste in my mouth. It’s no doubt Krasinski has talent, and the film does have its fair share of moments (There was never a dull moment) but it doesn’t quite reach the potential of both its cast/crew and the premise would imply. 

Jordan Figueredo

Cigar City Magazine Staff Writer and Movie Critic
​
​Follow me on Twitter for more movie reviews!