A Quiet Place Part II
Following the events at home, the Abbott family now face the terrors of the outside world. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.
Despite a moderate budget of $55.0M, A Quiet Place Part II became a solid performer, earning $297.4M worldwide—a 441% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
A Quiet Place Part II (2021) demonstrates meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of John Krasinski's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Evelyn Abbott
Regan Abbott
Marcus Abbott
Emmett
Main Cast & Characters
Evelyn Abbott
Played by Emily Blunt
Widowed mother leading her family through alien apocalypse while protecting her children and newborn baby.
Regan Abbott
Played by Millicent Simmonds
Deaf teenage daughter who weaponizes her cochlear implant against the creatures.
Marcus Abbott
Played by Noah Jupe
Teenage son struggling with fear and responsibility after his father's death.
Emmett
Played by Cillian Murphy
Reclusive survivor living in isolation, reluctant to help but ultimately becomes protector.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 0 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Day 1 flashback: The Abbott family watches Beau's little league game in their peaceful small town, establishing their normal life before the alien invasion.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The family's home catches fire from Regan's oxygen tank explosion, forcing them to abandon their farm and venture into the unknown world with a newborn baby.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Regan makes the active choice to leave the mill alone to find the island broadcasting the signal, believing she can weaponize her hearing aid feedback to help others survive., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Marcus is trapped under heavy debris with his leg caught while a creature hunts nearby. Evelyn must leave the baby alone in the soundproof box to rescue him, raising the stakes for both storylines. False defeat: survival seems impossible., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Marcus' condition worsens critically, he stops breathing and appears to die in Evelyn's arms at the mill. Whiff of death: a son/child seemingly lost, echoing the family's trauma from losing Beau., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Marcus revives. Regan gains access to the island's radio station, realizing she can broadcast the high-frequency weapon globally. She synthesizes her father's sacrifice with her unique ability to save others., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Quiet Place Part II's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping A Quiet Place Part II against these established plot points, we can identify how John Krasinski utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Quiet Place Part II within the science fiction genre.
John Krasinski's Structural Approach
Among the 3 John Krasinski films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. A Quiet Place Part II takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Krasinski filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional science fiction films include Lake Placid, The Postman and Oblivion. For more John Krasinski analyses, see IF, A Quiet Place.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Day 1 flashback: The Abbott family watches Beau's little league game in their peaceful small town, establishing their normal life before the alien invasion.
Theme
Lee tells Marcus "There are people out there worth saving" - establishing the film's central theme about maintaining humanity and community in a post-apocalyptic world.
Worldbuilding
Day 1 sequence showing the alien arrival and chaos in town. Returns to present day (Day 474) with the family at their destroyed home, Evelyn recovering from birth, and the discovery that the creatures are vulnerable to high-frequency sound.
Disruption
The family's home catches fire from Regan's oxygen tank explosion, forcing them to abandon their farm and venture into the unknown world with a newborn baby.
Resistance
The family travels to the abandoned steel mill. Evelyn finds Emmett, a former family friend now living alone in survival mode. Emmett is reluctant to help and wants them gone. Regan discovers a radio signal playing "Beyond the Sea."
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Regan makes the active choice to leave the mill alone to find the island broadcasting the signal, believing she can weaponize her hearing aid feedback to help others survive.
Mirror World
Emmett reluctantly decides to go after Regan, shifting from isolated survivor to protective mentor figure, representing the possibility of maintaining human connection and purpose.
Premise
Dual journeys: Regan and Emmett trek toward the marina/island while Evelyn and Marcus defend the mill. Both groups face creature attacks, testing their survival skills and the high-frequency weapon. Marcus gets trapped with his leg caught.
Midpoint
Marcus is trapped under heavy debris with his leg caught while a creature hunts nearby. Evelyn must leave the baby alone in the soundproof box to rescue him, raising the stakes for both storylines. False defeat: survival seems impossible.
Opposition
Evelyn barely saves Marcus but he's severely injured. Regan and Emmett reach the marina but find feral humans guarding boats. Emmett is shot and wounded. The authorities on the island initially refuse to help. Both groups face increasing desperation.
Collapse
Marcus' condition worsens critically, he stops breathing and appears to die in Evelyn's arms at the mill. Whiff of death: a son/child seemingly lost, echoing the family's trauma from losing Beau.
Crisis
Evelyn desperately performs CPR on Marcus while creatures circle outside. Regan realizes the island residents don't know about the creatures' weakness to high frequencies. The darkest moment before the final push.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Marcus revives. Regan gains access to the island's radio station, realizing she can broadcast the high-frequency weapon globally. She synthesizes her father's sacrifice with her unique ability to save others.
Synthesis
Parallel climaxes: Regan broadcasts the killing frequency from the radio tower while fighting creatures. Evelyn and Marcus defend the mill using the same frequency. Both groups successfully weaponize the sound, proving it works and can be shared.
Transformation
Regan stands victorious at the radio tower, transformed from protected daughter to protector of humanity. The signal broadcasts worldwide. The family has evolved from isolated survivors to community defenders, honoring Lee's belief that people are worth saving.