A Quiet Place Part II: Four stars for Cillian Murphy’s ruthless new film – the ingenuity never falters

Film review: ‘More of the same’ has rarely been carried off with such elan. Roll on Part III

Cillian Murphy in A Quiet Place Part II

Cillian Murphy in A Quiet Place Part II

Anyone hoping for some vast expansion or deep digging into unexplored subtext is likely to be a tad disappointed by the sequel to John Krasinski’s terrific 2018 horror film about a world that doesn’t dare to cough audibly. But as a continuation of the original it can hardly be faulted. The set-ups are every bit a tense as before. The cast continue to throw themselves at the material with admirable gusto. Cillian Murphy proves an excellent addition to the team. “More of the same” has rarely been carried off with such elan.

The most significant change of tone comes in a superb opening sequence that takes us back to the day of the invasion. Over the past year, we’ve all been made uncomfortable by films that pack actors together in small spaces with no ventilation. (Is A Night at the Opera the least Covid-friendly film?) Anyone familiar with the first movie will be similarly disconcerted by the prospect of Krasinski, back for an extended cameo, battering and clashing his way about the local store as if giant superhearing lizard-things weren’t lurking at every corner. 

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