This film has all the elements of a horror movie that was brilliantly done. From the writing and directing, to the acting and musical score, this movie has it all! Edge of your seat suspense – check. Fear of the dark and the unknown – check. Creepy and grotesque creatures – check. Scary places (like corn fields) – check. Fear of the unusual and ultimately death – BIG CHECK! Of all these important chilling elements, what probably tops this list is the fact that the only character with a disability is actually played by an actress with the same disability (the daughter is hearing impaired). This is a wonderful precedence that John Krasinsky (director and leading actor in the film) sets for others in the big screen industry. I know, we've seen it before in movies like "Children of a Lesser God" (Marlee Matlin is a hearing impaired actress who played the role of a character with the same disability), but it shouldn't be a rare occurrence.
Despite the extraordinarily limited use of verbal communication in this film, there are many clues in the movie that leads to a post apocalyptic setting with very few survivors. Only the absolutely silent survive – a virtually impossible thing for our family to pull off, as our family includes a joyful toddler who loves the sound of her loud, screeching voice and a teen with autism who needs to make noise for blocking out the annoying sensory input of his surroundings.
The movie had me gripping my husband’s arm the entire time (much to his amusement)! One of the greatest things a movie can do is pull you into its central message or theme by using your own imagination against you and your psyche. This terrifying flick succeeds in doing this by giving us a front seat viewing of how we would handle a menacing threat to our human existence. From the opening to closing credits, you are drawn into becoming an active participant of this horrific ordeal, as your mind opens to the realization that your survival would be highly unlikely in similar circumstances.
The cast features John Krasinsky (best known for his role as Jim in “The Office”) as dad, Lee Abbott and Emily Blunt (best known for her role as Meryl Streep’s surly assistant in the “Devil Wears Prada") plays his onscreen wife, Evelyn (she’s his real-life wife too!). The children in this movie were also superb actors. Their daughter Regan (played by Millicent Simmonds), is the oldest of their three children and she's hearing impaired. This gives the Abbott family an edge as everyone is adapting to a world now forced into silence. Communication takes on alternative forms – in this family’s case, the use of sign language is their method of communication. I won’t reveal any details about the movie because I truly recommend you see it! This is a horror film that would have Stephen King himself jumping out of his seat!
So, with a two-thumbs up from me, for more reasons than I can count, grab a drink, get your popcorn and snacks ready (if you can eat while feeling petrified) because you will not be disappointed by this movie!
So, with a two-thumbs up from me, for more reasons than I can count, grab a drink, get your popcorn and snacks ready (if you can eat while feeling petrified) because you will not be disappointed by this movie!
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