Surprise horror hit A Quiet Place (2018) offered a high concept (seemingly indestructible monsters kill you if you make a sound) with a contained execution that ended with an effective kicker and many unanswered questions.
With dad Lee (director John Krasinski, who has sole screenplay credit here, and appears in the flashback) having heroically sacrificed himself in the last film, it's kind of boring that they immediately bring in another patriarchal figure to fulfill a similar dynamic in the story.
The set pieces generate tension but the film still relies heavily on the novelty of the concept, which has long since dissipated. There was an opportunity here to flesh out the many logic issues thrown up by its predecessor, but this ends up raising more questions than it answers.
It mostly feels like more of the same, so it'll play much better if you haven't seen the first one.
Cast: Emily Blunt, Noah Jupe, Millicent Simmonds
Director: John Krasinski
Running time: 97 minutes
Rating: M (Violence & horror)
Verdict: Tense horror sequel lacking in imagination