After the events and revelations of ‘A Quiet Place’ and ‘A Quiet Place: Part 2’ it is time to go back to ‘Day One’. Following Sam (Lupita Nyong’o) as she’s on a group trip in New York City, everything is going fine, until the invasion that sends the world into silence begins. Can the city stay quiet and can Sam and Eric (Joseph Quin), a new unlikely friend, make it somewhere safe? But no matter what happens, don’t make a sound and you might just find out what happens in ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’.
Writers: Michael Sarnoski ,John Krasinski ,Bryan Woods
In A Quiet Place Parts 1 and 2, the people of Earth survive being killed by sound-sensitive aliens by keeping the noise down. Did you want to know how it all started on Day One? Nah… me neither, but I’m pleased to say that this seemingly unnecessary prequel is a lot better than it has any right to be. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it is my favourite of the franchise so far, helped in no small part by excellent performances from its two stars, Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn, who play two survivors of the initial attack who must work together to try and survive long enough to get pizza.
Nyong’o stars as terminally ill Samira, who is in New York City when the aliens arrive. When the authorities destroy the bridges out of Manhattan to prevent the creatures from spreading, Samira decides to head to her favourite pizza parlour to enjoy a few last slices before her illness claims her life. Quinn plays fellow survivor Eric, who helps Samira achieve her final wish.
The film works on two levels, successfully combining scenes of heart-pounding tension with heart-tugging drama. There’s plenty of well-executed alien action for those who enjoy suspense and scares, but the human interaction is also very effective, Eric not only helping Samira with her physical journey to Patsy’s Pizzeria, but also with her emotional journey from resentful and bitter to selfless and content. Also expect a great turn by a furry performer, Samira’s very cute cat.
The film isn’t perfect – there are moments when certain noises conveniently don’t attract the immediate lethal response they usually do; the moggy magically manages to avoid drowning (or do cats hold their breath when under water?); and a touching note written by Samira is still legible even after being completely submerged – but these are minor niggles. Overall, the film is far better than I ever thought it would be.