10 Horror Movies That Open With One Amazing Kill
3. A Quiet Place
John Krasinski's directorial debut, A Quiet Place, is set in a world populated by hostile aliens with hyper-sensitive hearing, forcing mankind to live in silence. Not only does the film immediately show how the survivors function day by day, but it also highlights what happens to anyone who doesn't abide by the rules.
As Lee Abbott and his family loot a pharmacy for supplies, his youngest son, Beau, attempts to take a toy rocket. Lee removes the batteries from the rocket, establishing the dangers of sound in this world straight off the bat. Despite Lee's precautions, Beau puts the batteries in the toy and turns it on minutes later.
Lee looks on in terror while Beau plays with his rocket, oblivious that he's doomed himself. Though Lee sprints towards Beau, he sees the trees shifting in the distance, signifying a terrifying creature is approaching at alarming speed.
Beau's mother and sister make no effort to move, suggesting that it's too late to save him. Sure enough, the monster leaps out and kills Beau in one fell swoop just before Lee reaches him.
Although killing off a young child early on can be gratuitous, it sets the tone of the film and emphasises the constant threat that looms over every character.