John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place delivers an intriguing spin on the post-apocalyptic horror film genre that is sure to keep audiences holding their breaths on the edges of their seats.

Set in the year 2020, Lee Abbott (Krasinski) and his wife Evelyn (Emily Blunt) struggle to protect their children, daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds) and son Marcus (Noah Jupe) from monsters that have infested the planet. The creatures are blind, but they hunt their prey by sound. In order to survive, it is imperative to stay completely silent.

Regan is deaf, so the family communicates using American Sign Language. This was a great, realistic way to justify how this family managed to survive for so long up to this point.

This picture manages to provide believable ways in which the Abbott’s are able to make such little noise. The kitchen table is covered in mats. Lettuce is used instead of plates. They walk on sand paths to prevent making a sound in the grass. Even their home has paint on the floor to mark exactly where to step to avoid any creaky floorboards. I was impressed with the attention to detail.

Another great aspect of the film is how easily I was able to empathize and worry for the Abbott family. Part of what makes a horror film successful is if the audience can connect with the characters. If the audience doesn’t care what happens to the victims, then it is just going through the motions and there isn’t any gravity to the situation.

The acting is superb. Without much dialogue, the actors have to rely on their abilities to emote. Blunt’s performance stood out for me. She is amazing at conveying fear, and she plays a convincing mother. I especially liked a more lighthearted moment where she jokes with her son. This felt organic and natural. I appreciated the family’s attempts to retain some semblance of a normal life and haven’t let themselves become grim shells.

A Quiet Place also benefits from the likability of its lead actors. I was familiar with Krasinski from his role on The Office, and I liked Blunt in Edge of Tomorrow. This made me root for both of their characters, and their efforts to protect their children, even more.

The film takes advantage of that moment in every horror film where, just before the killer or monster appears, only the victim’s terror can be heard. Every sound they make seems amplified. The difference with this film is that this moment is present throughout most of the film. My heart was pounding, and I was sweating the whole time.

A Quiet Place is a haunting film, boasting a nuanced story and a talented cast that makes viewers realize just how chilling the quiet really is.