"A Quiet Place: Day One," directed by Michael Sarnoski and based on a story conceived with John Krasinski, is the third installment in the A Quiet Place series. This prequel delves into the early days of the alien invasion and stars Lupita Nyong'o as Samira, a terminally ill woman navigating the chaos of New York City as blind extraterrestrial creatures with a heightened sense of hearing descend upon the city.
The plot centers on Samira, a pessimistic cancer patient living in a hospice just outside New York. Persuaded by her nurse, Reuben, to attend a marionette show in Manhattan, she reluctantly agrees. However, the outing turns disastrous when meteor-like objects crash, unleashing deadly aliens. After being knocked unconscious, Samira awakens in the puppet theater alongside other survivors, including Henri (Djimon Hounsou), a returning character from the franchise. The group must stay silent to avoid the sound-sensitive invaders as the military begins bombing the bridges to contain the creatures.
Tensions within the group rise, particularly after Henri accidentally kills a panicked survivor, underscoring the deadly consequences of breaking the silence. Following a power outage and the fatal activation of an emergency generator, Reuben dies, prompting Sam to escape towards Harlem with her cat, Frodo. The military announces an evacuation from South Street Seaport, but the noise of panicked crowds draws the aliens, resulting in a deadly stampede. Separated from Frodo, Sam meets Eric, an English law student, and the two navigate the dangerous city together, including a tense journey through a flooded subway, where the constant threat of the creatures looms.
Lupita Nyong'o shines as Samira, bringing vulnerability and strength to her role. Despite featuring more dialogue than the previous films, "A Quiet Place: Day One" remains largely non-verbal, relying on silence to build suspense. The first half-hour is particularly gripping, nearly flawless in its execution, setting a tense tone that the film strives to maintain throughout.
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Visually, the film impresses with its effects and creature design, staying true to the franchise's high standards. However, the shift towards human drama over sci-fi horror may not sit well with all fans. The focus on personal struggle and survival takes center stage, which may leave viewers wanting more exploration of the alien invasion itself. Nyong’o’s performance stands out, but some supporting characters feel underdeveloped, making it harder to connect with their fates emotionally.
At 99 minutes, the film occasionally drags, suggesting it could have benefited from a tighter 80-minute runtime. While the earlier films thrived on tension and horror, Day One leans more into drama, losing some of the terrifying edge that defined the series.
In the end, A Quiet Place: Day One is a respectable addition to the franchise, bolstered by Nyong'o's compelling performance. While it offers a more character-driven narrative, it lacks the tension and terror of its predecessors. Fans will likely still enjoy it, but it brings little innovation to the series. Overall, I’d give it a solid 7 out of 10.
Out On Digital Now at https://apple.co/4ejwdvW