Millicent Simmonds (A deaf actress whose casting brought authenticity to the role) Critical Reception and Legacy
: The family survives by using sign language (ASL), walking barefoot on sand paths to muffle footsteps, and soundproofing their farmhouse. The daughter, Regan, is deaf, which originally gave the family a survival advantage as they were already fluent in sign language.
: The family deals with the trauma of losing their youngest child, Beau, early in the film, which creates a rift of guilt, particularly between Regan and her father, Lee.