Sam (Lupita Nyong’o) is on a day trip to the theatre in New York City when the sky lights up with a flurry of meteorite like plumes bringing with them fearsome creatures with hyper sensitive hearing. As New York City must go quiet to survive, Sam makes a personal journey with another survivor she meets along the way named Eric (Joseph Quinn).
When it was announced that A Quiet Place would receive a prequel film without its original cast, writers and director I was sceptical. It was not just that the opening two films creative mainstay John Krasinski would not be returning that concerned me. It was the simple fact that the Abbott family led by Emily Blunt, John Krasinski and Millicent Simmonds would not be the focal point of the film. Across two movies set over a year after the alien invasion we came to love and care for the Abbott family and their survival. So I have to say that I am incredibly happy to say that new writer/director Michael Sarnoski has managed to find a new emotional core and confront the high concept from a slightly different angle.
The first thing we are told via an opening written text is that, “New York gives off an average of 90 decibels, which is the sound of a constant scream.” Seemingly the perfect place to place an enemy that hunts via sound. We are then introduced to our protagonist in a hospice. Sam has terminal cancer and is awaiting her death with the help of her companion cat who she takes everywhere with her.
The end of the world survival story takes on a different dimension when the lead character has nothing to live for. Especially when she is the one being strong for the others around her. It is here that I have to give credit to the writing and casting for what feels like a piece of expert bluffing. The first person that Sam meets post invasion is Henri played by Djimon Hounsou who fans should recognise from A Quiet Place Part 2. An actor who many will know from action movies and know is still alive by the point the second film is set. But he is not our co-lead. That position goes to Joseph Quinn’s Eric. An Englishman alone in The Big Apple who suffers from panic attacks and needs help to navigate the crisis.
Sam and Eric slowly build up an emotional rapport that we know cannot last for long. The result keeps you very invested in what will happen when the few tense action scenes take place. Whilst not the best part of the film these action scenes are still capable of imparting a number of decent jumps with the standout set in a flooded subway tunnel.
The result is impressive and another great entry into the franchise. Where “A Quiet Place” goes from here I do not know. But if they can continue to be as inventive as this then I welcome more entries into the franchise.
If you want to read my reviews of the other entries in the franchise you can see them here:
Phil the Bear's Film Reviews 
One thought on “A Quiet Place: Day One”