Distributed by Paramount, A Quiet Place has become one of the most successful PG-13 rated thriller movies of the last few years. Directed by John Krasinski, the movie is a tense, suspense-filled film focusing on a family of four living in fear of unseen monsters as they try to survive in a soundless world.
As the film opens, it slowly establishes the harsh rules that the family must abide by in order to survive. Absolute silence must be kept and any noise made, even accidentally, can be fatal. It is through this rule that the psychologically charged tension escalates as the family moves through the world, trying to keep their lives intact.
With a reliance on inventive camera work and intense sound design to generate the proper atmosphere, the audience experiences the same levels of crippling fear that the characters do. Unseen horrors lurk in the shadows and any unwise decision can lead to death. This creates a terrifyingly suspenseful viewing experience as the family stumble their way through each moment in an attempt to stay alive.
The unique plot and premise of the movie illustrate its success at generating tension and suspense with viewers. The lack of dialogue in the movie serves both to reinforce the severity of the situation and to retain the secrecy of the unknown monsters. Film expert and critic, Robert Kingsley, describes the bleak atmosphere of the movie by claiming it “traps the characters in their own silence”.
This movie is just part of a new trend of horror movies that are hauntingly restrained in the volume of their sounds. The Australian horror movie, The Babadook, utilizes this technique, as does the silent classic, Night of the Living Dead. It is through these unorthodox silent horror movie trends that people continue to attend A Quiet Place as it is unlike any other Hollywood horror movie.
The performances of the actors provide further depth and range to the themes of the movie. John Krasinsky is the most recognizable of the cast and his presence acts as a comfort to those familiar with his previous works. It is through his portrayal of the father that viewers witness the true human struggle the family faces and how they must battle the inner and outer dangers of the soundless world to survive.
In addition to this familial bond, the story consists of strong commentary on the themes of parenting, leadership, loyalty and family bonds. In the movie, the family unit is seen as the only thing that can save them and Krasinski, who was famously quoted saying “family is everything”, makes sure these themes are present in the movie’s bright spots of joy.
A Quiet Place is certainly an intense and spine-tingling experience for those brave enough to watch, but it also offers a unique opportunity to witness the true power of sound and silence in film- making. It is also an incredibly personal project for John Krasinski and it shows in the skillful craft and powerful stories that he can create.
Sound and the Movie Score
The movie’s score is one of the most memorable aspects of A Quiet Place – and it has a lot to do with the use of sound. Music and sound plays a large role in intensifying the atmosphere of the movie by creating a sense of tension and suspense. The score is mostly made up of creaking doors, thudding footsteps, and eerie sound effects that leave viewers on edge to the point that even the slightest of noises set off audible gasps from the audience.
Not only is the sound quality used effectively to magnify the intensity of the movie, but the composition also helps to maintain the balance of the atmosphere. During the intense moments, the music is made louder and more intense in order to build the suspense and heighten the feeling of fear. Conversely, during the more relaxed moments, the score is quieter and more subtle, allowing viewers to take a well-needed breath before the next big stress or scare triggers.
The silence in A Quiet Place also helps to enhance the overall mood of the movie. Whenever important plot points are being established or moments of intense suspense occur, there is a powerful sense of stillness that grips the film. This is called a ‘silent stinger’ and is used to punctuate scenes, creating an even greater sense of fear and tension.
The use of the score throughout the movie helps elevate the fear factor to a level that is almost unbearable at times. The intricacy and power of the composition helps to make the movie a brilliant and harrowing experience, one that viewers find themselves riveted by. As Music supervisor, Randin Rarick, explains, “The music really holds the fabric of the film together…” and indeed, with A Quiet Place, the music and score is a powerful factor in creating the film’s overall atmosphere of tension and suspense.
Appeal to a Wide Audience
The PG-13 rating of A Quiet Place reflects the dramatic and intense content of the film, as well as its appeal to a wide audience. Unlike adult-rated horror movies that often contain excessive violence and gore, A Quiet Place contains minimal adult content, making it a great choice for viewers who still enjoy the thrills and suspense of horror movies, but are not comfortable watching the more graphic and terrifying content.
The movie also goes a step further and provides a unique twist on traditional horror movies – not only providing a terrifying viewing experience, but also offering engaging and emotionally driven characters. This has made the movie a huge hit with fans who would have traditionally been put off by the horror element. As movie reviewer, Roger Ebert states, it’s “the strength of the movie that makes it…approachable for all kinds of other audiences”.
The originality of the film, along with its suspenseful viewing experience has made it a global success and a unique experience amongst PG-13 movies. These elements, and its ability to appeal to a broad range of audiences, are sure to keep both fans and critics engaged and returning for more.
Reaching Beyond Fear and Horror
A Quiet Place has proven itself as a thriller movie that offers much more than just suspense and horror. Through amazing performances, clever sound design and cleverly crafted stories, the audience is given a powerful insight into the effects of fear and how it can shape one’s decisions – even when faced with a life-or-death situation.
These elements of the story help to gain perspective from the characters’ experiences and make the audience think about how they would respond when faced with a similar situation. Human response to trauma, as well as the subjects of loyalty, family bonds and emotional hardship, are all explored in the movie, leaving viewers with a deeper understanding of what it takes to survive.
But it is not just the gripping suspense and unique story of A Quiet Place that makes it special; it is also the intense viewing experience that it provides. The darkness, fear and tension created by both the villain and the soundscape, leave viewers feeling a strong connection to the characters. The impact of this connection increases the tension and ensures that viewers truly appreciate the decisions the family must make in order to survive.
From the mind-boggling deliberations to the heartfelt family moments, A Quiet Place offers a unique and captivating viewing experience. And its powerful messages of hope and courage make it not only a great PG-13 thriller movie, but also a memorable piece of cinema.
Directing and Writing Techniques
The success of A Quiet Place does not come from its use of sound and visual effects alone, but also from the clever directing and writing techniques that John Krasinski employed to give the movie its unforgettable atmosphere.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the movie is its reliance on tension building. This is done through careful scene placement and the clever use of sound and visuals to create an atmosphere of fear and suspense.
There is also a strong focus on foreshadowing and anticipation. From the suspiciously placed items, to the use of time hopping, the viewer is put on edge right from the first few minutes of the movie. Often, scenes will play out in a logical order but the viewer is left to make their own deductions as to what or who created the items they see.
It is also through the writing that the characters are presented in their full emotional range, making sure that viewers get a rewarding and impactful insight into the family’s relationships. By creating flaws and demonstrating how the family grows and learns, Krasinski is able to add a deeper layer of soul to the movie.
The movie not only relies on effective visuals, but also a powerful and impactful script that dives deep into the characters and their journey. Krasinski’s ability to craft believable and emotionally charged scenes has helped to make A Quiet Place one of the most memorable PG-13 movies in years – one whose tension and suspense continue to captivate viewers.
Critical Reception
Film critics have unanimously praised A Quiet Place for its vision and direction, with many viewing it as one of the best horror movies to come out of the 2010s.
As mentioned previously, Robert Kingsley claims “it traps the characters in their own silence”, while critics such as Richard Roeper have praised the movie’s “incredible tension and suspense”.
Mentions have been made of the movie’s strengths in the areas of visuals, sound design, performances of the actors and, of course, direction. It has been seen as a powerful piece of modern cinema and credited for taking the genre of horror to a new level.
The audience reviews of A Quiet Place are just as rapturous. Fans of the movie give expressions of admiration, describing it as “brilliantly conceived”, “incredibly powerful” and “visually stunning”.
Overall, the reviews and fan reception of A Quiet Place have been overwhelmingly positive, with both critics and fans alike praising the movie for its creativity, suspense and emotional depth. It is no wonder that the movie has become one of the most successful PG-13 rated thrillers in recent years.
