Krasinski proves he's got a lot to offer behind the camera, too

Rating: 7/10 (14 April 2019)

The post-apocalyptic horror/thriller genre has been on a roll lately, and John Krasinski's 'A Quiet Place' is a monster example of the success that can be achieved with a small budget. The spring 2018 release proved that a semi-gimmick (majority of the film lacking spoken dialogue) can grab attention, but when a film resonates with an audience, it really resonates.
'Quiet' is able to make a lot of noise in the absence of chit-chat. There's no denying the eeriness that results from the environment that has been established thanks to alien invaders with ultra-sensitive hearing. In fact, the role that sound editing plays in the film is breathtaking. It should have won the Academy Award for this. And think of the cast - think of how challenging it is to act when you pretty much need to be silent the whole time.
Aside from the whole no/low volume thing, 'Quiet' is different, but it's not that different. Low budgets usually mean we're stuck more or less in one area, so there's not a whole lot of exploration to be found. There are also moments where it feels like you're watching a high-end version of 'The Walking Dead,' or even 'Bird Box.' And then there's the "bathtub scene"...yeah, no.
Despite its flaws, 'A Quiet Place' deserves a lot of recognition for its ingenuity and for being a hit with audiences.