A Quiet Place Part II (2020)

Last updated:
May 4, 2025

A Quiet Place Part II, directed by John Krasinski, is a gripping continuation of the 2018 surprise horror hit. The sequel expands the universe while retaining the nerve-shredding tension and minimalistic storytelling of its predecessor. Set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by blind, sound-sensitive alien creatures, the film picks up immediately after the events of the first movie—and it wastes no time getting back into survival mode.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Day One – How It All Began

The film opens with a flashback to the arrival of the alien creatures. In a suburban town, the Abbott family is watching their son play baseball when meteor-like objects streak across the sky. Within minutes, monstrous creatures begin attacking people in broad daylight. This gripping prologue offers a rare look at the panic and chaos of Day One—something only hinted at in the first movie—and gives fans their first proper look at the monsters in action in a public setting.

After the Farm – Continuing the Journey

We jump forward to the immediate aftermath of A Quiet Place (2018). Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt), her newborn baby, her daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds), and her son Marcus (Noah Jupe) are leaving the wrecked family farm, carrying only a few supplies, a shotgun, and a homemade amplifier that weaponizes feedback against the creatures.

They venture into unknown territory and soon come across a heavily fortified warehouse. This is where they encounter Emmett (Cillian Murphy), a former family friend who has lost his own family and become emotionally hardened. Unlike Lee (John Krasinski’s character in the first film), Emmett is skeptical, bitter, and reluctant to help.

Regan’s Mission – A Signal of Hope

After discovering that a mysterious radio signal is repeatedly playing the song “Beyond the Sea,” Regan believes it’s a clue pointing to a human settlement on an island. She ventures off on her own with a plan to use her hearing aid and a radio transmitter to amplify the feedback, potentially helping other survivors defend themselves.

Emmett reluctantly follows her and becomes an unlikely protector. Their journey introduces new dangers, including feral humans and, of course, the terrifying creatures.

Evelyn’s Fight for Survival

Back at the warehouse, Evelyn faces her own challenges as Marcus is injured, and the baby needs oxygen to survive. With no one else to help, Evelyn leaves temporarily to gather medical supplies and oxygen, leading to a tense sequence where both she and Marcus face life-threatening situations alone. The tension is ratcheted up with the constant presence of sound-sensitive monsters lurking nearby.

The Island Sanctuary – A False Sense of Safety

Regan and Emmett finally reach the island, discovering a peaceful colony of survivors who have been protected from the creatures due to the water barrier. Just as hope seems within reach, the horror re-emerges—one of the monsters manages to reach the island, leading to chaos and bloodshed. This sequence shatters the illusion that safety is ever truly guaranteed in this world.

The Climactic Showdown – Sound as a Weapon

Back at the warehouse, Marcus must defend himself and the baby using the amplifier setup Regan had helped develop. Simultaneously, Regan uses a local radio station to broadcast the high-frequency feedback from her hearing aid. This final act cuts between two parallel battles, showing Marcus and Regan each finding their inner strength to fight back.

The film ends with Regan successfully transmitting the sound weapon, and Marcus delivering a killing blow to a creature—both of them stepping into roles of leadership and survival once held by their parents.

Movie Ending

The ending of A Quiet Place Part II is hopeful but open-ended. Regan’s use of the radio station to broadcast the feedback means the potential for widespread human resistance has now increased. However, the larger threat is still out there. The family is still fractured, and many questions about the creatures and other survivors remain unanswered. There’s a clear setup for a third installment.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, A Quiet Place Part II does not feature a post-credits scene. Once the credits begin to roll, the story is effectively over—so you’re safe to leave the theater (or hit pause) unless you’re staying for the music.

Type of Movie

A Quiet Place Part II is a post-apocalyptic horror thriller with strong elements of science fiction and survival drama. Like its predecessor, it relies more on tension, silence, and atmosphere than jump scares, making it a suspense-driven experience.

Cast

Emily Blunt as Evelyn Abbott
Millicent Simmonds as Regan Abbott
Noah Jupe as Marcus Abbott
Cillian Murphy as Emmett
Djimon Hounsou as the Man on the Island
John Krasinski as Lee Abbott (flashback only)

Film Music and Composer

The haunting score was composed by Marco Beltrami, who returns from the first film. His music expertly heightens the tension without overpowering the film’s critical silences. The score relies heavily on eerie strings and rhythmic suspense motifs, often synced with the characters’ breathing or heartbeats.

Filming Locations

Western New York: Towns like Akron, Olcott, and North Tonawanda provided rural settings and abandoned industrial zones.
Lackawanna Steel Plant: The industrial area where Emmett lives was filmed in this massive derelict facility.
Buffalo, NY: Used for urban decay and parts of the flashback scenes.

These real-world, lived-in locations added a gritty, grounded realism that enhanced the survivalist feel of the film.

Awards and Nominations

While not a major awards darling, A Quiet Place Part II received praise for its direction, sound design, and performances. It was nominated for:

Best Horror at the Critics Choice Super Awards
Best Sound Editing from several film critic associations
It also performed well at the box office considering the pandemic-era release.

Behind the Scenes Insights

John Krasinski wrote and directed the sequel but only appears briefly in a flashback.
Millicent Simmonds (who is deaf in real life) contributed to the script and dialogue, especially for sign language scenes.
The opening “Day One” scene was shot in one long take using practical effects and hundreds of extras.
Cillian Murphy was cast after Krasinski saw his performance in Peaky Blinders.
The creature effects were updated with more refined CGI for close-up horror moments.

Inspirations and References

Inspired by classic silent films and minimalist horror.
Krasinski has cited Spielberg and Ridley Scott’s Alien as key influences.
The series takes narrative inspiration from parental fears and human resilience in crisis.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While the released version is tightly edited, there were rumored scenes involving more backstory for Emmett and his family that were cut for pacing. One deleted moment shows a flashback of Emmett with his sick son during the early days of the alien invasion.

Book Adaptations and Differences

There is no direct book the movie is based on, though a prequel novel and official universe-expanding materials have been published since its release. These explore the broader world but were not source material for the film itself.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The opening baseball game massacre
Regan trekking alone across a ruined landscape
Marcus hiding with the baby inside the airtight vault
The attack on the island community
Regan broadcasting the feedback over the radio station

Iconic Quotes

Emmett: “The people that are left… they’re not the kind of people worth saving.”
Evelyn (to Emmett): “You don’t know how to survive. I do.”
Regan (silent but powerful): Her final look as she steps up to the microphone to broadcast the signal

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The baseball game uses the same glove from the first film, a nod to Lee and his love for family.
The pharmacy shelf is mostly empty—except for the ear medicine, a subtle link to Regan’s journey.
One of the boats has the name “Marina II” as a nod to the second film’s island sequence.
Look for a newspaper headline: “Meteor Shower Kills Dozens”—early denial about the creatures.

Trivia

The film was originally slated for release in March 2020 but was delayed due to COVID-19.
The entire cast learned American Sign Language to ensure authenticity.
It was one of the first major box office hits post-pandemic reopening.
Millicent Simmonds helped choreograph how sound (or the absence of it) was portrayed from her character’s perspective.

Why Watch?

If you enjoyed the tension of the first movie, this sequel ups the ante with more world-building, higher stakes, and new characters without losing the intimate fear and quiet suspense. It’s not just a monster movie—it’s a survival story with heart, brains, and impeccable sound design.

Director’s Other Movies

A Quiet Place (2018)
The Hollars (2016)
Brief Interviews with Hideous Men (2009)

(Though Krasinski is better known as an actor, particularly from The Office, he’s proven himself a strong director.)

A Quiet Place Part II (2020)