Starring Emily Blunt, Clillian Murphy

Directed by John Krasinski

Paramount, out now

 

 

Following the events at home, the Abbott family now face the terrors of the outside world. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realize the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats lurking beyond the sand path.

This sequel to the highly-successful 2018 original was one of the first movie victims of COVID-19, being pulled from release just a week it was planned to hit cinemas. Over a year later, and does the world still want to watch a tale of post-apocalyptic survivors? It’s a big yes from me.

Starting with a flashback to Day 1 of the alien invasion, we witness a small town coming under attack as the skies darken and hideous creatures begin to kill Earth’s locals. A cross between Stranger Things’ Lovecraftian Demogorgons, Alien xenomorphs and velociraptors, these apex predators are blind, and respond solely on sound to track their prey. And so survivors devise ingenious ways to tiptoe around the toothsome beasties, wary that just one crack of a twig might trigger an attack.

Picking up from the end of the first film, we’re now on Day 474, with Evelyn (Emily Blunt) taking teenage children Regan (Millicent Simmonds), Marcus (Noah Jupe) and her baby away from their burning farm to find a new home. It’s here that they meet family friend Emmett (Cillian Murphy) and we immediately wonder whether he’s daddy or baddy. He’s lost his family, but can he be trusted to look after the Abbotts?

John Krasinski writes and directs the sequel, this time only appearing in the opening sequence, for obvious reasons. And what a fine eye and ear he has for suspense, mounting sequences that serve up nail-biting terror simultaneously in different locations. The sound design is understandably minimalistic and yet highly effective, as is Marco Beltrami’s sparsely used score. The creature effects are A-list, the cast impress, and it’s great to see Regan and Marcus develop their characters. Will there be a part III? I hope so.

Verdict: An excellent follow-up to a highly original sci-fi thriller. It’s a winning formula and if this quality can be maintained then further instalments will be more than welcome. Beware it’s very tense and jumpy – horror has properly returned. 9/10

Nick Joy