(University of Rochester): Makayla Johnson on “The Quiet Place”
By MAKAYLA JOHNSON ’26
Updated 11:50 a.m. EDT, 6 Nov. 2026
“A Quiet Place” begins with an unassuming opening scene; silence prevails as shots of an abandoned town flash across the screen. A broken traffic light, empty streets and a wall of missing posters are mixed with the utter silence. Then, out of place, a child runs across the screen, silently tiptoeing between aisles of a store. The film invites us to question: why the quiet?
Overall, the premise of the movie is quite simple. The viewer follows a family living in a post-apocalyptic time, hiding away in an old farm house. We learn that their world has been overrun by deadly creatures. These creatures, however, rely solely on their sense of hearing to navigate the world and catch their prey. Thus, the main characters, a family with young children, must remain silent at all times when they are outside the confines of their soundproof basement– or face imminent death.
What makes “A Quiet Place” so provoking is its sparing use of sound. Each sound is deliberate, whether it is one that alerts the creatures or is merely the padding of quiet feet. Even the smallest movements carry the possibility of danger, invoking audience members to engage in the suspense alongside the characters.
Further, rather than relying solely on graphic violence or sudden appearances of the creatures, the film builds tension around the possibility that any sound might bring danger. This approach makes the premise feel immediate, drawing the audience into the family’s constant vigilance.
By playing with audience expectations and prior knowledge, the film creates a deep intellectual atmosphere; viewers cannot trust their prior understanding of ordinary noises or actions, and instead, are invited to participate in the characters’ hypervigilance. Where in another film a toy’s sound would bring about connotations of joy, this film subverts this idea. Instead, this noise leads to one of the movie’s most jarring scenes.
In a world of constant stimulation, “A Quiet Place” is an escape. With significantly less dialogue than a traditional movie, viewers are forced to pay attention to subtitles, body language and the family’s cues for one another. This is not a movie you can watch while scrolling Instagram Reels or texting a friend; looking away may mean missing out on important information.
Ultimately, “A Quiet Place” is a unique film, highlighting strong familial bonds, stark world building and a riveting plot. Its ability to create suspense without relying heavily on graphic violence makes it an engaging watch even for those who typically shy away from horror. As someone who is typically not a horror fan, the lack of gore made it more palatable to my tastes. If you are looking for a spooky movie to watch this Halloween, but don’t necessarily want to be kept up at night, I would definitely recommend this film. ★
