John Krasinski and Emily Blunt’s film, “A Quiet Place,” stands unrivaled, not just in today’s cinema offerings, but in the whole of today’s pop-culture. While simultaneously bringing in big bucks at the box-office and entertaining/frightening moviegoers, this horror-thriller movie returned something to the silver screen that has long been abandoned—a depiction of true virtue.

This virtue is not found in any one character of the film, nor any one scene, but is found in the movie itself. While its release and tenure was bordered on all sides by Marvel superheroes (which are typically fairly clean films, as well as very fun), A Quiet Place sets itself apart by being not only an excellent film, not just with brilliant storytelling methods, but by being noble. The heroes of this film are not super, they have no dramatic, world-altering objective, they are simply parents; loving, devoted parents. And while Liam Neeson may have taken (get it?) the whole “save your family” thing to new actiony heights, John Krasinski brings the concept to earth by seeking to protect his family in a realistic, thoughtful, and heartfelt manner.

The focus of this movie is not the monsters, it’s not the kids, it’s not even John and Emily—the star of this movie is the devoted and forgiving love of a father. Without giving anything away, the constant theme of this movie is loving self-sacrifice for the survival of those around you.

One last way that this film sets itself apart is in its purity. Never before have I been to a movie with a rating higher than PG (nowadays higher than G) and heard zero profanity, seen zero sensuality or sexuality, nor even heard the holy name of God misused. And not only is this movie pure in its lack of filthy content, but it even positively portrays the family as God-honoring by depicting them holding hands around the table and silently giving thanks.

This movie is truly unique in style of storytelling, lack of disreputable content, and imitable portrayal of loving parenting. My recommendation is that everybody go see this film.

Though likely not the overt goal of the movie, A Quiet Place also offers us a visceral look inside what it means to be a godly father in a world hemmed in by darkness. It’s hard not to look for allegory and allusion all through the movie. Lee (Krasinski) shows his devotion to his loved ones by making the ultimate sacrifice (no, not by dying). He lives every single day, in complete abandon of his own selfish wants, in order that his family might remain safe. At any time, he could cut and run (he’s clearly very brave, strong, and smart). He’d probably do quite well on his own. But he stays. He stays! In a culture filled with deadbeat dads and run-away fathers, this man stays. What a powerful message to moviegoers!

In much the same way, Christ stayed. When confronted with the sin and darkness of this world for 30+ years, He did not cut his losses and start over, He did not shrink from the sin in our hearts, nor did He reject those who even the world deemed hopeless. In the face of great adversity, while standing before the greatest of sufferings and agonies, He prayed to the Father for those He loved. He prayed for you and me. (http://biblehub.com/esv/john/17.htm) Such wonderful, selfless, sacrificial love!

Paul David Tripp beautifully defines Love as “willing self-sacrifice for the redemptive good of another.” While A Quiet Place may not be a “Christian movie,” its themes are most certainly rooted in true, godly, perhaps even Christ-centered, fatherly Love.