Review of A Quiet Place (2018) by Davidwashere — 09 Oct 2018

I'm mixed on this movie. On one hand, I can see the hype and find a lot of things to like about the movie. On the other hand, there's a ton of things I don't like about the movie that I am honestly surprised how much praise and credit it has received.

So what are the things I like? Well it's got some good atmosphere, I'll give the movie that. I wasn't sure on the premise, I felt that it was too ridiculous for me to really buy, but I think there's a nice eerie ambiance with the film. It's claustrophobic with the singular setting, the sound design is pretty solid, and even the cinematography from Charlotte Bruus Christensen and the blocking of certain shots are pretty great. I also think that John Krasinski as a director does a pretty good job, albeit not an amazing job, when it comes with working behind the camera. There was a lot of effort being made with the film and I can appreciate that. The acting is mostly good. Nothing amazing, but most of the actors does a good job with conveying their thoughts and feelings without dialogue. John Krasinski is pretty good, Emily Blunt is great as usual, Millicent Simmonds is the best child actor here (although I kept on confusing her from the girl in Heredity), and Noah Jupe is good too, although when he does talk in the film he's pretty bad.

Now what don't I like? Well the rules are pretty inconsistent and does lead to some plot holes and inconsistencies. Like the general idea is that small noises are alright, but big noises are bad. Which is fine. However it's hard to really tell what constitutes as a loud noise and a small noise. Like a toy space shuttle and a cooking alarm clock is a loud noise but apparently snapping your fingers and a fire being lit doesn't? Fire's not quiet you can still hear it! Some might say that's nitpicking, but honestly I just don't think there was a ton of care to working out the rules to making them super tight and the movie would have benefited a lot. Also what would have benefited, and this one is pretty major, is not having a score. The score used in the film is pretty bland on it's own, but it also ruins a lot of the film because it's feels so manipulative at times. I think the movie works without a score because John Krasinski does a decent job conveying the feeling of certain scenes when the movie is mute, but with the score it just feels forced with how you're supposed to feel and it just ruin a ton of scenes. Especially during the tense scenes because it is one of those damn horror films that use the "BRAAAAAAHHHH" sound during a jump scare! It makes scenes super cheesy! Speaking of cheesy, that old man scene! I bursted out laughing! I wasn't bugged too much with how the characters acted in the film, I can excuse some irrational actions because that's what humans are, but there are a ton of things that do push it. Like why would the little boy use a loud space toy when he SHOULD KNOW DAMN WELL by the information that we are given that it would be a bad idea to do so? That's the biggest one but when you break down certain character's actions and traits it can't help but feel like it's more so that either A, it's to exposition dump to the audience more about the rules, and B, these characters need to be dumb in order for the action to take place. And for the latter I can excuse that, but again there is a limit I can take!

Overall I can see why people like this movie, but honestly there's just so many problems with the film that I can't really give it too much credit than it's just around average. I didn't expect to like it, but I didn't hate it either. I was pleasantly surprised but I doubt I'll revisit this movie much after I had seen it to be honest.