The kind of well executed original ideas that Hollywood desperately needs

Rating: 8/10 (28 March 2020)

I find it often funny how people keep criticising the script of this movie given it was the first horror sci-fi thriller written and directed by the lead actor, John Krasinski. It baffles me how cruel the audience can be pointing out plotholes and nonsense character behaviour on an outstandingly well acted, directed and executed movie with such an original idea.
These are the kind of directors and ideas I would love Hollywood to invest in as they show creative potential no matter how lacking the script might be. The idea behind the movie is not based on any well-known book, it isn't a remake and it's not trying to explain in all detail the post-apocalyptic setting the story takes place in. And I have the impression that some people are actually bashing on it because they liked it but because they could only experience what could be considered a "glimpse" on an otherwise fully realised setting and backstory, they feel the movie is sloppy and filled with mistakes. And I for one feel these plotholes could and should be overlooked if the rest of the elements are as enthralling as they are in this movie.
It starts "in media res" in a post-apocalyptic USA, we follow a family who are trying to survive the oppression of creatures that are noise sensitive. Now, given most of the backstory is not explained in the movie and without taking into account any other prequel comic or novel published after the release of the movie, we have no reason to believe these things are strictly alien or how they came to be. And in that matter the movie lacks a bit. I'm not saying the negative criticisms are not right in accusing the movie of having missed out on many of the details that would have helped understand not only the setting the story takes place in but the backstory of the family. But in some way, the movie shines exactly for that. I had the feeling the movie was a bit short and that is because not many "events" happen in the movie, there are two time jumps and we only see specific moments of this particular family. It almost feels like if it was a chapter in an anthology series of this post-apocalyptic world. I'm only looking at the movie for what it's trying to do: portray the reactions and interactions of a normal family in a world were they can no longer make any noise.
It is blatantly obvious that John Krasinski has put the most of his efforts and creativity on the family dynamic, their lifestyle and the "thrilling"/terrifying aspects and situations of living without being able to make a sound. The movie crushes our hearts with breath-taking moments based on character mistakes and stupid choices and it's not trying to hide it. It's not that its treating its characters as dumb horror clumpsy and vacant characters, it's that its characters are not perfect and are allowed to get distracted and make mistakes. The movie simply just shows the moments were those mistakes had the greatest consequences, and because of that it almost feels like these people are complete idiots. We are watching the outside that is this new world setting through a keyhole that is these specific moments of one of the many families living in it and that's why it seems like they are not that well realised. And because of this, the backstory of the movie lends for many sequels and prequels that I'm sure they'd come out in the future if they keep staying true to the source material and craftmanship as this one.
The biggest highlight of the movie would be the silene parameter. Due to the setting of the plot, the characters almost never speak and have to communicate their emotions and thoughts through acting and sign language and if the actors didn't make a good job the movie would fail entirely. Some of the most difficult but deep interpretations in movies are the ones where the actors are not allowed to speak a word and must show what they are trying to tell to the audience through gestures and reactions. And the silence aspect of the movie lends for very naturally inclined thrilling and tense scenes that cause the horror of the movie. It's not that the movie is scary per se, after you watch it you'd realise it isn't but because the tension of being caught is such we are scared for the characters who fear for their lives.
On another note, to all the people that criticise how the parents were negligent in the care of their children I'd tell them that thanks to the incredible performances of the two parents giving the feeling that, even though they had grown accustomed to that NEW lifestyle, they are still humans and can make mistakes. I despise the post-apocalyptic main characters who are on top of the situation all the time, that are badasses that shoot zombies with shotguns and are tough and whatnot. This movie protrays a family who never really learned to live in a world where they couldn't make a sound and because the movie doesn't give any dates only a day count we can see that they've lived like that for ONLY a little more than a year, so cut them some slack.
IN CONCLUSION, surely and despite how much I ended up loving this movie for its creative premise, outstanding performance and incredible cinematography; I must point out the movie has its flaws as any new original big idea. Mainly in its script and the pacing of the movie, it is true that the third act rushes incredibly with some very confusing and contradictorily convenient moments and details that if you stop to think about it or even after more than one rewatching you'd realise.
But that's exactly what the movie thrives on, it tells a new idea and story that awes if you are a first viewer. The thrilling and endearing moments are a unique cinematic experience worth experiencing. And when the second part comes out then we'll see if we can learn more about how it all began or how it will all end.
-- SPOILERY STUFF HERE --
About why they didn't live near a waterfall... If you use your brain you'd realise waterfalls are not naturally close to any sort of town or house nearby to live in, and I think constructing a new house would not only take time but also experience and would kind of make a lot of noise. Also, even if they could, THEY HAVE BEEN LIVING LIKE THAT FOR ONLY 473 DAYS, WHICH IS A BIT MORE THAN 1 YEAR! It's impossible to "get accustomed" to that new lifestyle without making mistakes and after the creature kills their little boy they are traumatized for the rest of the movie... THEY ARE NOT USED TO THIS LIFESTYLE YET!