A Quiet Place Part II (2020)

11.45pm, Sunday, Sky Cinema Premiere “There are people out there: people worth saving”

One of the surprise box-o ce hits of 2018, grossing more than $340 million on a budget of $17 million,

A Quiet Place was always likely to generate a sequel. Writer/director/ star John Krasinski told us at the time that any new storyline would examine the possibility of others having survived the alien blitz: “in other words, who is on the other end of those res?”

Opening with a brilliantly shot prologue sequence that explains the sudden arrival of these nasty aliens, A Quiet Place II follows survivor Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) and her three children as they hook up with one of the people (Cillian Murphy) on the other end of those res. Together they have to navigate a dystopian world in which one false move or one loud sound could mean curtains for all.

Though this is only Krasinki’s third directorial outing, he is smart enough to know not to tinker with a winning formula. Thus, he makes the most of silence, notably when the action unfolds through the eyes (and ears) of Evelyn’s deaf daughter, Regan (the impressive Millicent Simmonds). Some of the director’s choices don’t quite work, particularly when he cuts between storylines; a practice that only serves to lessen rather than enhance the impact of each. But that’s a small gripe for a thrilling yarn that features strong performances from all concerned – including our man, Cillian – and boasts enough jump scares and plot twists to keep audiences on their toes.