After a very solid directorial debut from John Krasinski with the first entry in this inevitable series, Krasinski returns this time to write and direct A Quiet Place: Part 2. A film that in so many ways is neither better not worse than the first entry and is instead rather another very solid horror thriller, bolstered by incredible performances and a devilishly intense premise. To put it plainly and simply Part 2 does not disappoint and Krasinski has given us one of the better, tighter and more effective horror features of the new decade so far.

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This sequel continues quite literally immediately after the first film concluded and heads Emily Blunt, Noah Jupe and Millicent Simmonds (along with a new-born babe) out into the wilderness beyond the sand paved pathways created by their now deceased guardian and survivalist patriarch, played by Krasinski. Krasinski does however return in this film for the opening five minutes. An absolutely brilliant sequence taking us back to the first day of this fateful alien invasion. It’s a terrific way to set the scene for this sequel and once more brings us into the painfully high stakes of the world that we will inhabit for the remainder of the run time. Even in these small moments Krasinski as a performer manages to convey the power of the relationship he has with his family and how troublesome it may be for the family in this sequel now that he is gone. Blunt does deliver here a sublime performance continuing the pedigree of her previous work in the action realm, in particular in later scenes where she must protect her family at all costs. Jupe spends most of his time absolutely terrified (rather understandably so) and manages to make every scene of his terror wholly believable and never once shrill or grating. However the key focus of the film is indeed Simmons, the real life deaf actress who takes on the role here of the pained daughter in the Abbot clan, who this time around goes on her own adventure to find other people, with the help of a new addition for this film, Cillian Murphy. Murphy is also sensational in everything I’ve ever seen him in frankly, and here is no exception. The only bizarre element of his character is the extent that it does feel that he is merely a surrogate for Krasinski and although some effort was made to put an emotional complexity into this dynamic, it does frequently feel forced. One does wonder what a film without his addition and with just the continuing adventures of the Abbot family would look like, but this film will do frankly more than fine.

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With the introduction this time around of multiple different plotlines, Krasinski frequently with his editor Michael P. Shawver introduce elements of cross-cutting, whether it be thematically or visually. This actually comes to a head and becomes the crux of the films concluding moments. All in all Part 2 thrives in its thrilling tense sequences, of which there are multiple of, and with the great pace and clip the film does have, tiredom or boredom is never a conceivable issue. The only major issue I had with the pacing and in fact the film will be relayed later in a Spoiler P.S. However certainly one can comment that not only does this film live up to the insurmountable hype of not only a sequel to a previously very successful film entry in a series, but also to the impossible pressure of re-opening cinemas. A very tense and enjoyably thrilling feature, solidifying the directorial promise of Krasinski.

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A terrific 7/10 second entry into what is seriously becoming one of the finer modern horror series. The cast all once again excel in giving dynamite performances filling this horrific world of terror with humanity, heart and warmth, in the midst of deep fear and troubles. Krasinski is a clearly talented individual and his script and direction here once again thrive on his already very accomplished set of filmmaking skills. The new arrival of the always great Murphy rounds out the already exceptional Blunt, Jupe and Simmonds. In many ways actually my biggest issue with film can only be relayed after the fact in a Spolier based P.S below.

SPOLIER P.S. How to end a film is a tricky business and many films have thrived on the blunt and abrupt endings that this film follows in the path of. However this ending was so blunt that a minute prior to the end I stood up to urinate, only to note the overly triumphant score, turned to the screen to view what I quickly realised would be the final seconds of the film. It is clear that a third entry in this series is on the cards and whereas many films with sequel baiting endings can feel whole on their own, I get the major feeling here that I will never in the future watch A Quiet Place: Part 2 without the supposed future Part 3. The first film had a similarly abrupt conclusion, however it did feel the films story and narrative had come to a rounded conclusion. Here however the ending leaves one rather cold, or at least very surprised. Or at least its abruptness surprised me.

-        -  Thomas Carruthers