Review: A Quiet Place Part II (2021)

A Quiet Place Part II was written, directed, and produced by John Krasinski and includes his character Lee Abbott in a newly filmed opening sequence. The film again stars Emily Blunt (Edge of Tomorrow), Millicent Simmonds (Wonder Struck), and Noah Jupe (Wonder) and introduces Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) into the franchise. 

A sequel to 2018’s A Quiet Place, A Quiet Place Part II does everything right and then some. 

After a tension-filled opening preface, we join what remains of the family as they continue their fight for survival against blind aliens who possess an acute sense of hearing. We meet Emmett played by Cillian Murphy, a friend of the family and a man trying to survive his troubled past. Emmett is reluctant to take in the family and even though he claims there isn’t enough food and water, it’s easy to believe he’s more afraid of watching his friends die. He continues on through pure survival instinct but has given up hope. Emmett’s dichotomy works here, and in no small part, by a strong performance from Cillian Murphy. Murphy is probably one of the most underrated actors working today, as well as one of my favorites. 

Instead of the tight-knit family stuck in a claustrophobic setting, this movie branches out as the characters separate or team up, each with their own mission. 

Millicent Simmonds shines again as the hearing impaired Regan Abbott, as does the sound editing which allows us to see this post-apocalyptic world from her perspective. 

There’s plenty of tension and the plot is tight and paced well. While it can’t quite live up to the previous installment, for a sequel this is great stuff. We also find two groups of humans both living through very different circumstances. World-building is strong as we venture out into what’s left of human society. 

All the characters have their own arcs but some are left incomplete with the hopes of a third installment that seems imminent, along with a spinoff that’s in the works. Seasoned veterans of the genre might find some proceedings predictable but it’s done so well it’s easy to go for the ride.

Cinematography is strong, especially during night and other lowlight scenes, never becoming muddy. 

A Quiet Place Part II can be streamed on Paramount+. If you’re lucky, you still might catch it in theaters. 

A Quiet Place Part II gets my highest recommendation. 

Story Doctoring:

This is one of the few times I don’t have any suggestions. Everything works here and there’s only so much fear that can be elicited when we already know all the characteristics of the monsters.

Rating:

Five out of five stars.