Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Skillful monster horror sequel has blood, peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
A Quiet Place Part II
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 31 parent reviews
Based on 101 kid reviews
Kids say the sequel fails to surpass the original but remains enjoyable, offering a mix of jump scares and character development. Many appreciate the backstory and messages of bravery, while others criticized the increased gore and character decisions that seem illogical, with some arguing that the film's ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying.
- mixed reviews
- character development
- more gore
- abrupt ending
- family themes
- jump scares
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
A QUIET PLACE PART II flashes back to the first day of the sound-seeking monster attacks before moving to Day 474, not long after the events of A Quiet Place. Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt), her daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds), son Marcus (Noah Jupe), and new baby must leave the ruined family stronghold in search of new lodgings. Regan finds a signal, and they head out to locate its origins. Stumbling on an industrial building, the family encounters a familiar occupant, Emmett (Cillian Murphy), who initially dismisses them. But after Regan discovers a song, Bobby Darin's "By the Sea," playing on the radio, they begin to realize that they may have more options to survive than first imagined.
Is It Any Good?
It's not perfect, but this admirable horror sequel is impeccably and skillfully directed by John Krasinski, who operates with meticulous use of sound and editing. In A Quiet Place Part II, Krasinski briefly appears as Lee in a prologue/flashback, showing the first day of the monster invasion. It's a taut sequence, recalling the early scenes of Hitchcock's The Birds by using commonplace things for suspense. But the movie, released at the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, is even more powerful given its pre-attack images of a community together, hugging, sharing food, and gathering for a ball game. Then, the story jumps ahead to right after A Quiet Place, where images of masks and a Johnson & Johnson first aid kit feel eerily recognizable.
Even if the overall story is somewhat familiar in spots, Krasinski creates beautiful cross-cutting sequences, with images building upon one another, working in perfect harmony. Simmonds' Regan, who is deaf (Simmonds is also deaf in real life) provides opportunities for even more intricate sound design, as the movie shows what her experiences might be like; her staunch bravery makes her a powerful role model. It may once have been "just" a horror sequel, but thanks to the timing of its release, A Quiet Place Part II becomes a symbol for returning back to life.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about A Quiet Place Part II's violence. How did it make you feel? How is the violence different when it's directed at monsters than when it's directed at humans?
What's the appeal of scary movies? Why do people sometimes like being scared?
Do you consider Regan a role model? Does she show perseverance and teamwork abilities? is her character an example of positive representation?
How does this sequel compare to the original? Did it seem like there was a good reason for a sequel?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 28, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : July 27, 2021
- Cast : Emily Blunt , Cillian Murphy , Millicent Simmonds
- Director : John Krasinski
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : terror, violence and bloody/disturbing images
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate