“A Quiet Place” Traps Audience in Peril
I couldn’t even take a drink. I am being completely serious. During one of the tensest scenes in the very first moments of John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place,” I attempted to carefully grab my drink out of the cup holder. It felt as if I was trying to disable an explosive device as the complete silence of the dark theater, made me afraid to make a sound. Needless to say, the slight jiggle of ice cubes caused me to be shushed to silence by an older lady ahead of me, causing me to bow my head in shame and sink into my seat. The stakes were at an all-time high, and the title card hadn’t even appeared yet.
Silence is one of this films greatest assets as the story follows a small family in a post-apocalyptic Earth where monsters hunt the surviving humans. The main gag and novelty of these creatures is that they can only track people based on sound. Whether it be as loud as a gunshot, or as quiet as a can rolling, the monsters will find and take you. Audiences can really feel this same kind of tension and panic, especially in theaters, as close encounters similar to Ridley Scott’s “Alien” leave no room for error.
The real selling points of this film are in the wonderfully complex portrayals of the on-screen talent. With only a handful of actual spoken lines in the film, they manage to tell story only through emotion. Ranging from panic, relief, horror and salivation, the performances of the youngest cast members, Marcus (Noah Jupe) and Regan (Millicent Simmonds) are a true credit to the horror genre as a whole.
Though a lack of noise is one of the film’s biggest feature, it is also accompanied by very artful uses of piano-driven scores. Building with harsh “plinks” of keys as tension builds, and simmering down with light and soothing moments, you’re forced to match your heartbeat with the pacing of the film. This is no extreme thrill ride of explosions or car chases, but an intense survival horror that highlights cinematography with limited dialogue and audio cues.
“A Quiet Place” is a must-see in theaters for any thriller fans. The experience is only improved for the better with a darkened theater trapped in a total void. Just as the film implies, it should be watched in “a quiet place.”
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More theclockonline News Articles
- The 91st Oscars Feature Upsets and Controversy
- A&E Editorial: Ariana Is Bored, Should We Be Worried?
- The Plymouth Playlist
- Annual Student Juried Exhibit: A Celebration of The Arts
Recent theclockonline News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THECLOCKONLINE
Campton Elementary School 8th Grade Silent Auction & Spaghetti Dinner By Rebecca Tgibedes
Will You? By Isabelle Elsasser
Summer in the Sunflowers By Emily Holleran
Student Spotlight: Sabrina Siegel By Justine Walsh
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THECLOCKONLINE NEWS
RECENT THECLOCKONLINE CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- BookTrib's Bites: Four Captivating Spring Reads
- Moms Kick Back with Mamaritas
- Generac Urges Americans to Prepare for Power Outages Early
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK