7 reasons why A Quiet Place will give you bigger jump scares than any mainstream horror movie

A Quiet Place is a horror film, released on April 6, 2018. John Krasinski directed this movie. Bryan Woods and Scott Beck created the story and wrote the script. The movie portrays a family striving to survive in a devastated world. Emily Blunt and John Krasinski played the characters of the parents who would do anything to keep their children safe. Noah Jupe & Millicent Simmonds played the role of children. Check out a teaser of this movie on Paramount+ Instagram.

Viewers have witnessed strange creatures living in this world. They cannot see, but they can hear very well. We have seen the family stay completely quiet for their survival. Every sound in the film is dangerous. The film explores fear, love, and how silence becomes the only option to stay safe. Here are 7 reasons why A Quiet Place gave bigger scares than most horror movies.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the author's opinions. Reader discretion is advised.

Here is the list of the 7 reasons why A Quiet Place will give you bigger jump scares than any mainstream horror movie:

7. Unpredictable soundscape

Ethan Van der Ryn - The Sound Designer of A Quiet Place | Image via MUBI

A Quiet Place is famous for its unpredictable soundscape. In this movie, the sound is quite different from that in other horror films. Instead of loud/abrupt music or sharp notes, the film used silence as the X-factor. Any sound in the movie seems crucial as the monsters strike at anything that creates noise. The sound designers, Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn, worked hard to integrate both quiet and loud sounds. Erik and Ethan forced audiences to listen to even faint sounds such as footsteps or breathing. When sound does erupt after all those silences, it tends to be much more frightening.

The monsters are usually audible before they become visible, and this factor made the audience fear. The viewers never have the slightest idea that a noise may come to initiate a horrifying moment. The irregular use of sound keeps people apprehensive throughout the film, making each shock feel more impactful.

6. Emotional involvement

An emotional moment in A Quiet Place | Image via Paramount Pictures

A Quiet Place has developed an emotional plot that differs from many horror films. It tells a story of a family living in a realm of silence, where creatures attack anything that makes a sound. The movie is easy for viewers to connect with the characters because they are an actual family of parents and children who actually care for each other. The film portrays the parents' love for their children and how they try to protect each other during difficult times.

A Quiet Place makes every moment of tension even more significant because viewers fear that something bad will happen to the family. The use of silence and actions instead of words during quiet moments is powerful. It feels more personal and emotional when danger comes. The film's focus on the family's survival ensures that every terrifying event has significance for the audience. They don't want anything bad to happen to the people they care about.

5. Double bluffs & red herrings

John Krasinski in A Quiet Place | Image via Paramount Pictures

Red herrings and double bluff are implemented really well in A Quiet Place. Most horror films have jump scares that are foreseeable due to clear setups or musical cues. However, John Krasinski used artificial and surprising developments in the film to take audiences off guard. Sometimes the loud sound can be from something non-threatening, such as falling objects or animals. The film fooled onlookers into thinking the creature would appear, but nothing appeared.

As a result, these red herrings amplified the true anxiety by constantly testing the nerves of bystanders. When a real danger reveals itself, it is even more startling. The film never allowed viewers to become relaxed & anticipate what was going to come next. Every scene in the movie employed double bluffs and red herrings to build suspense and tension, keeping the viewers on the edge of their seats.

4. Human error & relatability

A fearful scene from A Quiet Place | Image via Paramount Pictures

Human error and relatability played a significant role in A Quiet Place. The movie focuses on average folks who make the same mistakes as everyone else. Simple mistakes, such as dropping a toy or stepping on a creaking floorboard, might have terrible consequences in this society. The film constructed a scenario in the audience's minds in which even a minor error may mean calamity. The characters were extremely cautious with each move they took, yet they were human, and things do go wrong from time to time.

The fact that these are everyday errors makes the risk all the more tangible. The nervousness of the viewers stems from the obvious reality that being human means making mistakes, rather than from supernatural forces. It is the relatability of the situation that makes the movie scarier, as viewers can see themselves in the plight of the characters. It is complemented by realism, making every moment more thrilling and terrible.

3. Unrelenting tension

The bridge scene from A Quiet Place | Image via Paramount Pictures

In A Quiet Place, the constant tension is considered another factors that make the horror effective. The film leaves viewers in a situation where being quiet is life, and even the tiniest sound is threatening. The fact that the characters cannot make noise makes all their movements cautious and filled with fear. This creates a sense of suspense, where the audience expects something to go wrong. The silence and dullness of the moments make the sudden attacks even more shocking because the tension isn't fully broken. Check out two scenes from this movie that give a chilling effect to the viewers.

Viewers become so alert that even the slightest sound makes their hearts race. This ongoing feeling of stress makes the scares even more intense and prolonged. The silent acting of Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Noah Jupe & Millicent Simmonds also helped the film to show fear, love, and anxiety, which heightens the emotional impact. This continuous atmospheric tension keeps viewers on edge until the very end, making it one of the best horror movies.

2. Sound sensitivity & amplification

The child is making a sound in the film | Image via Paramount Pictures

A Quiet Place utilizes sound sensitivity and amplification to make the horror feel true-to-life and terrifying. In the movie, the monsters hunt by hearing any noise. This forces the characters to be quiet and turn everyday sounds into potential risks. The sound design is so crafted that even the faintest footsteps, breathing, or whispers are amplified to be very loud and clear for viewers. This focus on sound keeps the audience highly alert and anxious.

When the viewers finally hear the noise, they feel even more terrified because of the silence that came before. The way characters manipulate sound is also a key part of their survival, heightening the fear and making visuals as important as the sound. The film heightens viewers' fear and anxiety by emphasizing simple sounds and creating an environment that is highly sensitive to noise.

1. Silence as a weapon

Silence! An important weapon in A Quiet Place | Image via Paramount Pictures

In A Quiet Place, silence played a significant role in creating a sense of terror that goes beyond typical horror movies. The movie didn't require loud sounds or a music track to create a sense of vulnerability and tension in the audience. Therefore, the silence served this purpose. Silence is the protagonists' weapon and defense because they live in a world where every sound results in death. The movie frequently featured extended silences, allowing viewers to feel the tension and wait impatiently for something to happen.

This silence left the viewers with a keen sensitivity, which increased their senses and created suspense. It highlighted the power of communication through body language and facial expressions, focusing on visuals instead of excessive words. This approach captured attention and conveys emotions in a vibrant, relatable way. The scenes where anything noisy happened could be considerably more dramatic and frightening due to the overwhelming dependence on stillness and silence. The weapon of silence creates an experience that is both memorable and frightening for the viewers of A Quiet Place.

The article concluded that A Quiet Place changed the audience's perception of fear. It was not based on loud sounds and frightening music. The film instead used silence to create fear and apprehension. The film showed us how a family remained strong and together in a dangerous world. Viewers found themselves deeply connected to the characters, fiercely invested in their journeys, and in the smallest of mistakes they made. Each misstep sparked genuine concern, highlighting just how much they cared about these fictional lives.

The dark sequences enhanced the frightening scenes. The movie employed clever sound effects, poignant narration, and actual human responses. It offered viewers a new and memorable experience. The impact of A Quiet Place on horror enthusiasts around the globe was nothing short of extraordinary. This chilling masterpiece not only captivated audiences but also redefined the genre, leaving an indelible mark on fans everywhere.