Ever since I saw this being advertised, I have been waiting for it come to Susanville. After a grumpy day and several attempts, I was finally able to see it.

Per the advertisement, the movie is about a family who has to live in complete silence to avoid attracting the attention of "something terrifying".

It begins on "Day 89" and the family is "shopping" for medicine for the eldest son. What happens next sets the tone for the mood of the family for the remainder of the film.

Very little information is provided about "how" everything came to this point but it's very clear "what" has happened.

Set on a farm, in a small, mountainous nameless town, the family works together to survive. To add to the current toll of their lives, this family is expecting a baby.

This film features a total of 8 people, baby included. But despite it's small cast and simple backdrop, there is no shortage of haunting images or money vested into the creatures. It's all first rate. It stars real life husband and wife John Krasinski, whom you may know as Jim from the hit series "The Office", and Emily Blunt, who is making every other movie out there. Very talent woman. Having said this, on to the Kitty Paws Ratings:

Kitty Paw Ratings:
One Kitty Paw for it's decent jumps.
One Kitty Paw for it's tense/intense scenes.
One Kitty Paw for the children's committed performances.
One Kitty Paw for it's haunting images. (The Old man scene in particular.)

I did however have a few problems with it. The following three issue is not necessarily spoilers but the fourth issue is definitely revealing. So, please proceed with caution.

To begin with, as one critic said, "There is no fat in this film". This is very true. The movie starts and goes from there. As I said before, there is very little information given about the how, and you are left on your own to make connections and understanding of things. I kinda don't like that approach to story telling movies. You are telling a story. Be inclusive if you can.

I also had a problem with it beginning at "Day 89". I kinda felt that that was way too soon for our civilization to have fallen and for them to have the set the up that the family had. (i.e. sand lines, not wearing shoes.)

Another issue I had was, John Krasinski portrays an intelligent man who was trying his best to discover the secret to fending off these monsters. He had a whole system of silent communication (white light vs red light) and knew very well that sounds and noise was the enemy. So, it baffles me that he did not have a series of noise making counter measures should their farm be invaded, to serve a means to distract or draw the creatures away. Granted, you don't want a whole lot of noise, but still, if you see the movie, you'll understand why this frustrated me.

And finally, *** possible spoiler*** I don't think I liked how it ended. I was probably too vested. But I really hate it when the it's the end of the movie and bad things happen and then things get figured out. And you are happy but sad. I hate "Happy but sad" endings.

csk