Plot
A family keeps themselves secluded on their farm following an alien invasion. The aliens, which are blind, have an acute sense of hearing – and the family, have recently been through a devastating loss.
Now, with the wife pregnant – the family finds themselves separated one day during their tasks – as each of them are stalked by the vicious creatures.
Direction
Directed by John Krasinski in his directorial debut, I really enjoyed what he brought to the table, especially given most of the film is devoid of any dialogue.
The film is mostly reliant on diegetic sound and the score by the legendary Marco Beltrami., which is a constant throughout the scenes of zero dialogue.
Krasinksi, along with wife Emily Blunt learned sign language especially for this film.
There are some clever moments that utilise the daughter’s deafness – so when she does not have her hearing aid in in some scenes… we hear what she hears, which is nothing at all. Paired with a car sized alien walking behind her, this is a well made scene!
Cast
Emily Blunt plays the mother in the film (revealed to be Evelyn, during the closing credits). Blunt has always been a strong performer, but this is by far her at her strongest.
John Krasinski, plays Lee (also revealed in the credits).
They are both still struggling with a loss that occurred earlier the film, and are now expecting another child. Through the second half of the film they are separated due to their daily task – and while separated – Evelyn goes into labour… something rather difficult to do when you need to live in total silence!
Millicent Simmonds plays their daughter Regan, who like Simmonds herself is deaf. Part of her arc is Lee trying to fix her cochlear implant – something that works in the families favour later in the film. She feels guilt about the actions that led to the death of her younger brother at the start of the film.
Noah Jupe plays their son Marcus, who is desperate to have a connection with his father, and also to make sure that the relationship between Lee and Regan is not strained due to the tragedy that occurs at the start of the film
Breakdown
The film starts with “Day 89” of what we later discover is likely an invasion of alien creatures – who are attracted to sound. There is a family of five; father, mother, daughter and two sons – one quite young. The youngest, is given a toy rocket (without batteries) by his sister while on an outing – but he pockets two batteries – that causes the rocket to make a loud noise and the aliens to kill him.
This is a wild opening to a film, because of how out of left field it is to kill a small child in the first five minutes, you really don’t know who else is really safe!
It then cuts to Day 472 – and the mother is now pregnant, and they are all still clearly in mourning of their loss (who wouldn’t be!). They live on a small farm, and only communicate through sign language – as the daughter is deaf. Every night, the dad will head up on top of their corn silo and light a fire beacon – that their surrounding neighbors (miles away) also light – just so they know ‘someone’ is out there, but it is obviously safer to stay away – even if it a lonely existence – at least they are still alive! The dad even tries his hand at communication through short wave radio and morse code, but because it such an outmoded and unnecessary form of communication – no one replies.
Throughout their time together, they continue to try to exist and bring about a semblance of ‘normality’ – whether it be mum trying to teach the son math, the dad trying to fix the daughters hearing aid (but she does not want to be ‘fixed’ – and the tender moments in between. There is a lovely moment between real life husband and wife Krasinski and Blunt where they have a dance moment, where they listen to a song on an MP4 player – that gives us our first ‘sound’ at the 25m mark. You can tell just how much these two really love each other in real life too.
The ongoing threat of the aliens is so in built early on, and even the slightest sound (like dropping a lamp during a simple game of monopoly) – has them on edge. Nothing good comes from Monopoly people!!!
The idea of not being able to talk to your loved ones, or even to hear yourself speak is really something that you get to experience here, and you the audience are immersed in this silence. So finally, when some of the characters do get the chance to go places with other sounds (like the waterfall scene) – when characters can converse, the weight and anxiety does lift off you too! (Well it did for me). Especially given this is the first dialogue in the film at almost 40 minutes into he film!
The third act, in which the mother goes into labour while her family is separated is some of the best tension in a film. There are plenty of almost heartbreaking moments – where some of the characters either think another has died, save another from dying – or in the case of one – sacrifices themselves to save others….
Overall
Starting with one of the best subversions of expectations in a film I’ve remembered, the technical aspects of the film – and the way the screenplay is written is what makes this a winner.
Great performances from all the family members, but especially Simmonds is what makes this a top tier horror film.
Can’t wait to catch up with the rest of the franchise!
4.5/5
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