REVIEW: ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Challenges Expectations

New York City is notorious for its noise pollution; with over 8 million people, finding a moment of silence is nearly impossible. This makes it the absolute worst place to be when man-eating aliens with ultrasonic hearing suddenly invade the Earth. That is Samira and Eric’s reality in the sci-fi horror prequel, A Quiet Place: Day One. 

In A Quiet Place: Day One, the chaos and constant noise of the city becomes an even deadlier challenge to survive. Now, two unlikely companions, Samira, a hospice patient, and Eric, a law school student, navigate their new treacherous terrain together. The film stars Lupita Nyong’o as Samira, Alex Wolff as Reuben, Joseph Quinn as Eric, and Djimon Hounsou returns to reprise his role as Henri.

The prequel film, written by John Krasinski and Michael Sarnoski, begins by setting itself apart from its predecessors with a vastly different backdrop. Instead of a secluded rural setting, the filmmakers tell a new story in a juxtaposed setting, a loud, bustling environment. This juxtaposition creates a fresh, new level of intensity. Fans familiar with the franchise will feel suspense and anxiety, anticipating the terror brought by alien creatures. Furthermore, watching the loud city transform into unsettling silence, with every sound, makes you want to jump out of your seat.

At this point in the A Quiet Place franchise, we have seen the aliens and know what they look like, unlike the first film, where they are shrouded in mystery to build dread and suspense. A Quiet Place: Day One follows a similar approach to A Quiet Place Part II, showcasing more of the monsters but still masterfully playing on the fear of the unseen. The film uses these elements to enhance its jump scares, with some of the best moments emerging from the clever interplay between what is revealed and what remains hidden. This balance keeps the film’s tension high and the audience on edge, proving that the art of the unseen remains a powerful tool in horror storytelling.

A Quiet Place: Day One also takes an interesting approach to its character dynamics, particularly with  Samira and Eric. Lupita Nyong’o excels at portraying Samira, balancing surliness with vulnerability from facing terminal illness on top of an alien apocalypse. Nyong’o’s raw intensity and sharp wit shine, showcasing Samira’s quick adaptation to the new scary environment and trust in her instincts to save her life several times throughout the film. Nyong’o portrays Samira’s resilience and emotional journey as she navigates fear and loss and is determined to live her last days on her terms.

Opposite Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn brings Eric to life with a nuanced portrayal that evolves from hesitation to strength. Initially, Eric is lost, in shock, and uncertain about where to go until he crosses paths with Samira. Quinn does an excellent job of navigating his character’s growth into a dependable and supportive companion for Samira, highlighting themes of courage and personal transformation. Meanwhile, Samira seems stronger-willed between the two, supporting and guiding Eric through his panic attacks and an apocalypse. Their dynamic evolves as Eric begins to reciprocate in sentimental and reliable ways.

Together, Nyong’o and Quinn create a touching on-screen relationship that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth, central to A Quiet Place: Day One’s impact. Unlike the typical family unit in A Quiet Place is known for, Samira and Eric are strangers who come to forge a compelling bond based on mutual trust. Their rapid dependency on each other in the face of certain death highlights resilience and human connection themes. Their relationship is a poignant testament to the strength found in companionship during challenging times.

In A Quiet Place: Day One, the suspense and thrills are amplified by the deliberate absence of spoken dialogue. In line with its franchise, the film effectively communicates significant moments without relying on verbal communication. The film’s use of silence as a narrative tool enhances the suspense, making each encounter with the aliens more nerve-wracking than the last. This approach not only intensifies the characters’ peril but also heightens the audience’s engagement, as every silent moment carries weight and speaks volumes to the character’s plight in a world where sound means danger.

The subway scene is a testament to the filmmakers’ adept use of setting to intensify the film’s atmosphere. The dimly lit, waterlogged environment becomes a panic-inducing space where the slightest noise can alert the aliens of their prey. This scene, along with others throughout the film, demonstrates a mastery of visual storytelling and suspense-building techniques, showcasing the filmmaker’s ability to create thrilling moments.

Some audiences may need clarification about the film’s direction and ending. However, I encourage viewers to approach A Quiet Place: Day One with an open mind. The prequel diverges from the traditional expectations by focusing on new characters rather than directly expanding the franchise’s cinematic universe. Instead, it seeks to tell a standalone story centered on human connection and the struggle to survive, which resonates with me and provides a heart-wrenching but understandable conclusion.

A Quiet Place: Day One is worth watching. This silence-driven thriller adds layers of realism and immediacy to its suspense as it draws the audience deeper into the characters’ struggles. Nyong’o and Quinn’s performances as strangers turned trusted companions in this gripping tale showcase their nuanced portrayals and contribute to the film’s emotional impact. The film challenges expectations with a fresh setting and character-driven story, urging audiences to embrace a new chapter in the franchise.

A Quiet Place: Day One is now in theaters.