Today’s Prayer Focus
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MOVIE REVIEW

A Quiet Place

also known as “Um Lugar Silencioso,” “A Quiet Place: Un posto tranquillo,” “Ciche miejsce,” “Hang nélkül,” “Hiljainen paikka,” “Kena vaikne kohake,” See more »
MPA Rating: PG-13-Rating (MPA) for terror and some bloody images.

Reviewed by: Alexander Malsan
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Average
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: • Teens • Young-Adults • Adults
Genre: Sci-Fi Psychological-Horror Thriller
Length: 1 hr. 30 min.
Year of Release: 2018
USA Release: March 9, 2018 (festival)
April 6, 2018 (wide—3,508 theaters)
July 10, 2018 (DVD)
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Relevant Issues
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FEAR, Anxiety and Worry—What does the Bible say? Answer

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being a strong husband and wife team

Strong, unwavering family LOVE / What is true Christian love? Answer

TRUE LOVE—What is true love and how do you know when you have found it? Answer

Keeping one’s children safe

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Self-sacrifice

About despair and hope

Click here to watch THE HOPE on-line!
Discover God’s promise for all people—told beautifully and clearly from the beginning. Discover The HOPE! Watch it on Christian Answers—full-length motion picture.
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What does it take to survive in a very dangerous world situation?

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Learning and using American sign language

Deafness

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Featuring Emily BluntEvelyn
John KrasinskiLee
Noah Jupe … Marcus Abbott
Millicent Simmonds … Regan Abbott
Leon Russom … Man in the woods
Cade Woodward … Beau Abbott
Doris McCarthy … Woman in the woods (uncredited)
Director John Krasinski — “The Hollars”
Producer Platinum Dunes
Sunday Night
Michael Bay
See all »
Distributor
Distributor: Paramount Pictures Corporation. Trademark logo.
Paramount Pictures Corporation
, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS
Corporation

“If they hear you, they hunt you”

For unspecified reasons, in the year 2020 humanity has all been but wiped from existence on planet Earth. Little is known about the specific events that led to the near extinction of the human race, other than that a group of mysterious alien creatures who are blind, with a strong armor and very enhanced hearing, prowl the earth looking for opportunities to devour the remaining human survivors. In other words, survival lies in silence.

For the Abbott family, this has become the norm. They communicate via sign language. They cover their floor and pathways to town in sand to avoid their footsteps from being heard. Their board game pieces are padded. Not a whisper, not a sound, not a rustle can be made for fear of being hunted. For the most part, the family has done well at avoiding undue attention.

But time has a way of wearing down one’s patience. Let’s be honest, eventually you slip up on a routine or become tired of it—simple protocols and procedures tend to slip your mind, and for this family these slip ups start happening all too often. The question becomes… how much longer will their presence remain unnoticed?

“A Quiet Place” redefines terror on a brand new level. In the way Guillermo del Toro can scare many of his audiences with the occasional jump scare and uncertainty of the moment (e.g. “Mama,” “The Orphan,” etc.), John Krasinski raises this tactic to the next level and, honestly, with this film, puts del Toro out to pasture with this technique. As other critics have mentioned, it is the silence that is the most deafening. It is the silence that serves as that creepy soundtrack you hear in a movie warning you of the horror that is to come, and THAT is the beauty of this film… the silence. The silence that invites the audience to become part of the film, rather than a passive viewer. The silence that makes you question your sanity and what you are watching and where, as others have mentioned, you may begin to actually talk to the characters on screen. This what defines a TRUE horror film.

I also commend Krasinski for not only directing the film, but taking the lead role as well. In this particular film, having Krasinki as both the director and as the father, Lee, is a strength, especially in his interactions with his co-star (his real life wife) Emily Blunt, who plays his wife Evelyn. The performances from the entire family are incredible. An unspoken performance can be just as powerful and riveting as a spoken performance, and the chemistry between each of the characters is spot on. Each brings something of value to the story, and every character is allowed some moments of true development. The pacing is also fairly strong.

Content of Concern

Violence is mainly limited various attacks by the creatures against several of the characters, but rarely is the violence graphic. A few characters are killed in the film (again, nothing graphic), including a child toward the beginning of the film (the child is snatched, as are other characters, but we never actually see the creature kill the child). We witness a half-eaten human body. Characters are chased and threatened by the alien creatures at various times. Evelyn, the mother, uses a shotgun at one point to shoot one to protect her family. Lee uses an ax to try and kill one.

Language: None

Sex/Nudity/Sensual Content: None.

Other: We witness Evelyn’s water break during her pregnancy.

Theme

I think one of the most present themes in this film is the concept of true love. At one point in the film, Lee’s son, Marcus, while learning how to defend the family, asks Lee if he loves Lee’s daughter, Regan, as Lee tends to be a lot tougher on Regan than on Marcus. Lee is appalled that Marcus would ask such a question, to which Marcus responds in stating that he rarely hears (or sees him sign to her) that he loves her.

This moment made me wonder how often we, myself included, have questioned the love of those around us, even when we don’t hear their words. We want to hear those three simple words. We need those words. It’s true, we need to be told that we are loved, and it IS important to hear this. However, true love is more than just words. It is action. It is in the way we present ourselves to others and to God. True love requires words AND action in combination.

What is Christian LOVE? Answer

TRUE LOVE IN MARRIAGE—What is it and how do you know when you have found it? Answer

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. …” —1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. —1 John 3:18

The almighty God loves us through the sacrifice He made through his son Jesus Christ. It was the truest act of love a father could give to us, His children.

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” —1 John 4:9-11

“Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” —Ephesians 5:2

Those who have read my reviews here on Christians Spotlight are aware that I am critical of horror films. As more and more are produced, so many have begun to copy each other to the point that nothing is truly unique anymore… that is until the film “A Quiet Place” was born. Yes, there are things to watch out for (some frightening moments, some violence, though most of it is off screen), but, overall, if you can overlook some of the objectionable content, you may actually find many redeeming morals in this film, apart from the main theme I mentioned, as well as a nail-biting, edge of your seat, 90 minute thriller. Fans of the psychological thriller genre who like scares will probably enjoy it as I did. But please don’t expose kids 12 and under to this film.

FEAR, Anxiety and Worry—What does the Bible say? Answer

  • Violence: Moderately Heavy—with some blood
  • Profane language: None
  • Vulgar/Crude language: None
  • Nudity: None
  • Sex: None
  • Occult: None

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—This is more of a suspense-thriller than a straight-up horror film (a lot like “Signs”). Saw it with a group of friends, and we all loved it, and thought it was extremely well done. Not only is it tense and suspenseful, it’s all about self-sacrifice and the importance of honesty in family relationships. The characters are well fleshed out and likable, and unlike most horror films—intelligent! It balances tension with family dynamics and ends on a dramatic note. If you love “Stranger Things,” you’ll love this!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Charity Bishop, age 34 (USA)
Positive—Wow. “A Quiet Place.” This is one sort of to all out masterpiece for Cinema and horror Sci-fi disaster films. It is the kind of film that could jangle your nerves silently to the point where you could die. (Not really, of course) “A Quiet Place” was filmed in my county, Dutchess in New York, and Little Falls, near Albany. It is a very positive film. We see prayer during dinner, family time, no laungauage, no sex outside of marriage, I mean none of that. I totally recommend “A Quiet Place,” you will be shocked by how well it truly is. And if your a “Cloverfield” fan like me, well, there is a small chance this film is connected to those films… Family really plays a huge role in this film, and it nails it right. Get it, nails it… Because of the… Nail… You’ll see what I’m talking about when viewing the film.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
Stephen Matthew Jacewicz, age 22 (USA)
Positive—I am extremely picky about movies and their content (to an extreme often annoying to my family), and as far as horror/thriller movies go, I am very critical and generally stay away from them. This movie, though, I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters are both regular and exceptional, relatable and yet inspirational and also likable, using very simple elements. The fact that most of the movie is in silence makes the audience be still and reflective, something that’s absent in most movies today. The “scary” parts were artfully crafted, well-placed and more suspenseful than most “horror” or “thriller” films.

Although there are some quite upsetting scenes, the overall feeling we left with was not one of grieving or regret, but of being touched and inspired. My husband and I both left saying, “wow.” I would describe some of the biblical principles displayed in the film, but it would spoil the story.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Mindy, age 42 (USA)
Positive—I went to see this film with my sisters, and frankly I didn’t expect to like it, but I was pleasantly surprised! It was well done with the acting and story first rate and kept us on the edge of our seats the whole time. It would be scary for younger kids. The relationships of the family were good. There weren’t really any religious aspects that I noticed but the parents were both strong and supported each other in very difficult circumstances and were very loving to their children. Although tragedies occurred there was a hopeful ending also. We all left saying “wow that was a great movie” and would recommend it.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Luke, age 56 (USA)
Positive—I was surprised of how a good of a movie it was, especially in today’s world! Where the idea of a married couple is often twisted into something dysfunctional, this film portrayed the couple to be something honestly beautiful and real.

The couple are very loving and respectful toward each other (so refreshing!) and put all pettiness aside, stick together and hold on to every moment, because they could lose the other at any time.

Isn’t that what all couples should do? Stop focusing on the little things that you’re fed up with that don’t matter and focus on why you love each other. Love as if this were your last day!

People need to remember that and not take their spouse for granted.

I loved how they showed they always appreciated each other and had each other’s backs, like married couples should. (I’m getting off my soap box now.)

There’s nothing offensive in this movie at all. There’s violence, but it’s very mild.

The plot was excellent and filled with selfless love, sacrifice and unity. I recommend this movie and hope they make more movies with a similar message. Peace out.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
Paulina, age 24 (USA)
Positive—This is an “edge of the seat” type of film. It was scary and thrilling, but I liked it. It was so puzzling to figure out why the people couldn’t talk and had to be quiet. I don’t recall any bad words, no sex scenes either. This movie shouldn’t be watched by young children, but teens could be OK with it.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
CJ, age 59 (USA)
Neutral
Neutral—I must say I was disappointed with the depth of the story in relation to alien creatures. The story jumps right into a post-apocalypse setting, but it does not address how these aliens were able to accomplish their decimation of humans. An adversary that is blind that hunt on sound any is not formidable. Period. As a former soldier these monsters would have been easy to defeat and this in an understatement. The creatures could have been defeated with simple warfare tactics at the level of the most elementary combatants of an asymmetrical conflict. You simply lure them by sound to improvised devices. You could literally dangle bell over an I. E. D. And blow them to bits. The movie showed that the monsters could be destroyed as easily as any terrestrial animal.

They could also be lured into cross-fire. The beauty of it is that once the noise starts, the other monsters converge on the sound made by the destruction. So we’d load up on ammunition and keep making noise.

I like to see a formidable antagonist. Not one that I could kill with a pea shooter, figuratively speaking.

God made humans with more advanced brains for a reason.

I’m a die-hard sci-fi fan, and this is just food for thought.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
Jay, age 40 (USA)

PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.

Secular Movie Critics
…As a celebration of the physical expressiveness and visual storytelling of silent cinema, “A Quiet Place” speaks volumes without a word being uttered. …
Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post
…A terrifying thriller with a surprisingly warm heart, John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” is a monster-movie allegory for parenting in a world gone very, very wrong. …
John DeFore, The Hollywood Reporter
…If you’re looking for a film that will keep you thrillingly off-balance, this is the place. …
Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
…In its convincing portrayal of a situation where a rusty nail is as lethal as an unexploded bomb, and the few remaining inhabitants seem—much like the audience—more likely to die of stress than anything else, the movie rocks. You may go in jaded, but you’ll leave elated or I’ll eat my words. …
Jeannette Catsoulis, The New York Times
…You’re so tense you’re almost nauseous, but it’s fun—that’s the place this smart new thriller will put you in. …
Johanna Schneller, The Globe and Mail (Canada)
…Krasinski makes suspension of disbelief easy, and the movie mostly works—I can’t remember the last time I was in a movie theater so quiet. …
Gary Thompson, Philadelphia Daily News
…A bravura monster movie which just doesn’t let up, ratcheting tension with nary a word uttered on screen. It also boasts great creature design and a breakthrough performance from young Millicent Simmonds. …
Kim Newman, Empire [UK]
…“A Quiet Place” is a tautly original genre-bending exercise, technically sleek and accomplished, with some vivid, scary moments… though we can’t always buy what we’re seeing in “A Quiet Place,” Krasinski is a gifted enough filmmaker to paper over our objections. He directs with all his senses.
Owen Gleiberman, Variety
…It may not make the masterpiece cut, but this taut horror thriller is enormously entertaining, because it’s organized around a terrific idea…
Joe Morgenstern, The Wall Street Journal
…the rare example of a creature feature which uses special effects sparingly…in order to amplify the drama onscreen, not solely provide it. It employs the full register of sound, and the lack of any noise, as a dramatic player, informing all the action to the point where Krasinski’s film becomes a startlingly sensory experience. …
Fionnuala Halligan, Screen International