For those who aren’t as immersed in the horror/slasher genre like I have been since deciding that would be part of my personality in 2019, I can understand if you may be skeptical of my headline. But I’m hoping you’re willing to stick through this review to get why I said what I said.

This week, in the interest of offering my talented design editor, Arianna, a challenge, Bre and I decided to do another set of paired reviews. I’m reviewing 2018’s “A Quiet Place” and she’s reviewing the 2024 video game that was inspired by the movie franchise.

“A Quiet Place” was directed by John Krasinski, who stars in the movie alongside his wife, Emily Blunt.

The movie follows a family who are surviving in a post-apocalyptic world where alien creatures have invaded. These creatures rely on sound to locate and kill their prey, meaning no talking, no laughing, you can’t even let your foot step on a crunchy leaf without risking your life.

The Abbott Family — Lee (Krasinski), Evelyn (Blunt), their hearing impaired eldest daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds) and young sons — were somewhat prepared for this turn of events, having already learned sign language for Regan.

When we first see the Abbott family, they suffer a sudden and jarring loss (I won’t say what for spoiler reasons). Over a year later, we see that Evelyn is pregnant and the family is doing their best to prepare a sound proof space on their compound to ensure the cries of the newborn can’t be heard.

It’s obvious from the get-go that Lee is solely focused on the survival of his family. Even his sign language is very blunt and quick, getting to the heart of whatever he’s saying. The pressures of ensuring his two children, wife and unborn child are safe is the most paramount of importance to him.

For Evelyn, she’s preparing to bring a child into this world during a time when she can’t even cry out in child birth. (Genuinely, I don’t understand why you’d want to bring a child into this type of world, especially one where their cries could mean their demise.)

Regardless of my critique on that life choice, the Abbotts are still moving forward.

Due to the film’s early events, we see that Regan and Lee’s relationship is strained. Regan believes her father blames her for what happened. And, as teenagers often are, is blind to the clear love Lee still has for her. Not only does he work hard everyday to provide for his family and keep them safe. He’s also trying to locate survivors by scouring radio frequencies in a nearby farmhouse and trying to fix Regan’s hearing aid so she can be better prepared for the dangers of the world.

Honestly, the true horrors within this movie are reserved mostly for parents. The fears of being unable to protect your children in a world filled with dangers.

I’m not a parent (unless you count my cat, Oliver) so I can’t empathize with this, but I can certainly sympathize.

For parents in a non-apocalyptic world, it can be stressful and scary raising children and protecting them from dangers, while also teaching them to be independent. When you throw in a race of hyper-hearing sensitive aliens that’ll rip you to shreds… well, I’d have to imagine the stakes are raised even higher.

That’s why, to me, “A Quiet Place” is certainly not your average horror movie. It isn’t relying heavily on jumpscare or gory, it’s more focused on the constant fear that can exist in the back of your mind regarding safety of the ones you love.

It, in my mind, just personifies (or alien-ifies?) that fear. Making it a tangible thing instead of the everyday stuff like worrying your kid could crash their bike into a tree, get lost in a mall or fall deeply ill.

This movie’s fear factor is based in something that’s very real for many in this world, which does really work.

“A Quiet Place” isn’t my favorite movie. But I can definitely appreciate what Krasinski and the original script writers — Scott Beck and Bryan Woods — did with writing this. Especially Krasinski, who felt this movie could be a love letter of sorts to his wife and their children.

I still will question the choice of having a baby in this environment. But, hey, I’m not a parent so I can’t exactly speak to what would motivate one. I’d have to discuss that with my own parents.

Anyway, if you’re interested in a not-quite-as-scary movie that has a lot of heart and good acting, consider giving “A Quiet Place” a try this year. There’s also its sequel “A Quiet Place II” and a prequel “A Quiet Place: Day One” that you can watch after the fact. I started the second one last night but just didn’t get through it yet — though I plan to.

“A Quiet Place” can be watched on Paramount+.

Before I go, I also want to note… I’d have died on day one in this franchise. I’m a certified yapper and there’s no way I wouldn’t have accidentally spoken and gotten wiped out by an alien.

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Laura Jameson is managing editor of The Express.