A Quiet Place Part II, the long-awaited and delayed sequel about aliens tormenting a family on a farm, picks up right where the original left off. Jon Krasinski wrote and directed the original and the sequel. But the father figure he plays in the franchise, Lee Abbott, dies at the end of the first film. Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) and Emmett (Cillian Murphy) are compelling characters in the sequel, as well as the children Regan Abbott (Millicent Simmonds) and Marcus Abbott (Noah Jupe). A Quiet Place 3 has also been announced, and Paramount has a release date.
Compared to the first film, the sequel keeps its jump scares and provides an intense survival-horror cinematic experience. The first film was very insular and confined, focused on the struggles of the Abbott family on their farm. The sequel expands upon this devastated world, giving viewers a glimpse into what exists beyond the Abbott farm. Spoilers ahead for the film A Quiet Place 2.Â
6 In This Town, Everyone Knows Everyone
It might not surprise viewers that the Abbotts live in a small rural town, but a key flashback scene at the beginning of A Quiet Place 2 shows us what the world the Abbotts lived in was like before the creatures took over. In the scene, we see the Abbott family at a baseball game.
It seems like everyone in the town has come together for this children's baseball game, and we meet Emmett, Cillian Murphy's character, for the first time. He's clearly a family friend of the Abbotts. This scene is essential to set up Emmett's character and connection to the Abbotts.
5 The Abbotts Live In Upstate New York
The first film didn't exactly give us a lot to go off when it came to location. We knew the Abbotts lived on a farm, somewhere on the North American East coast. But in the sequel, in the key flashback baseball scene, we see a New York license plate on a car. The film was also largely shot in upstate New York, in locations such as the town of Akron, NY and the Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center that overlooks Lake Erie.
So because the Abbotts' farm is upstate and the sequel involves traveling to and island, it's clear that the location of their farm is either close to Lake Erie or Lake Ontario in upstate New York.
4 The Creatures Came From Space
In the first film, where the creatures (also known as Death Angels) came from is unclear. Considering the possibilities, they could have come from space, from underneath the Earth or even have been created in a lab. But the sequel confirms suspicions that these creatures are indeed space aliens.
In that important baseball flashback scene, Marcus Abbott stops playing baseball when he sees something enter the atmosphere. It's coming from space and heading to Earth, and it looks quite alien. In fact, Krasinski has admitted that Ridley Scott's Alien film was an inspiration for A Quiet Place.
3 Dogs Can Sense The Creatures
The first film doesn't have a lot of characters or animals beyond the Abbott family and the alien creatures. But in the sequel, dogs sense the creatures coming before any humans do. And the radios are affected by the creatures crashing to Earth from space. But how are the dogs able to sense the alien presence coming to Earth?
Clearly, it isn't sight or smell, but sound. Dogs can hear the creatures — either the aliens themselves or the sound of their ships — before humans can. It's likely the aliens operate on different frequencies than are perceptible to the human ear. This is especially true considering the power of Regan's radio throughout both films, which has little effect on humans but a devastating effect on the aliens.
2 The Creatures Can't Swim
One of the biggest reveals about the creatures in the sequel is that they are unable to swim. When Emmett and Regan end up in the water, the creatures aren't able to pursue them. And when Emmett and Regan go to the island, a man there (played by Djimon Hounsou) confirms that the creatures can't swim. This comes as a surprise, as the first film was set on a small farm without any lake scenes. Because the creatures can't swim, the island is a safe haven as long as creatures aren't accidentally brought over on boats.
1 People Have Become Cannibals
Some humans who survived are dangerous now. This is foreshadowed when Emmett tells Evelyn that the people who survived aren't people worth knowing. When Emmett and Regan arrive at the docks to search for a boat, it becomes clear that they're not alone. Emmett sees a young, seemingly helpless girl crouched by herself, hiding her face. He approaches her and she attacks him viciously, her eyes red. Suddenly, people emerge from the boats and the surrounding area, moving slowly with red eyes and weathered, zombie-like skin.
In stark contrast to Emmett's healthy skin and bright blue eyes, it's clear that there's something gravely wrong with these people. Given their emaciated figures and hungry eyes, they're most likely cannibals. When two of the men take Regan, their intentions aren't immediately clear. But either way, those dock people gave off strong The Road meets I Am Legend cannibal vibes.