In the world of Hollywood, not all successful movies need to be stretched into franchises. Yet, “A Quiet Place” has ventured into its third installment with “A Quiet Place: Day One,” a prequel set in New York on the first day of the alien invasion. Unfortunately, the novelty of the original concept seems to have faded.
The original “A Quiet Place” captivated audiences with its intriguing premise: make a noise, and you die. The scarcity of information added to the suspense, as viewers followed a family’s struggle to survive in silence. Its sequel succeeded by continuing this journey seamlessly. However, “A Quiet Place: Day One,” directed and co-written by Michael Sarnoski alongside John Krasinski, shifts focus from the Abbott family to a new protagonist, Sam (Lupita Nyong’o), a cancer-stricken woman who is bitter, sarcastic, and mean-spirited. Her only companion is a cat named Frodo, which feels like an unnecessary addition.
Sarnoski, known for his work on the Nicolas Cage thriller “Pig,” makes a bold choice by not delving into the mechanics of the alien monsters. The movie barely addresses how people figure out the need for silence. One moment, chaos ensues as people are devoured in New York, and the next, survivors are silently gesturing to each other. While this may avoid repetitive scenes of bewilderment, it misses the chance to explore the discovery process or the challenge of convincing a toddler to stay quiet.
The film primarily revolves around Sam and Eric (Joseph Quinn), a British law student. Eric attaches himself to Sam and her cat, and together, they navigate the apocalypse with the singular goal of reaching Sam’s favorite pizza place in Harlem. Nyong’o delivers a powerful and heartbreaking performance, making Sam’s quest for the perfect slice compelling. However, Eric’s character feels underdeveloped, leaving his motivations unclear.
“Day One” tries to balance being a meditative character study and a thrilling horror movie, but the two elements never quite mesh. The film includes more monsters, carnage, and jump scares, alongside unsettling reminders of 9/11. Some sequences, like Eric’s tense pharmacy run for Sam’s medication, successfully capture the terror of the original films. However, many set pieces feel forced and lack justification.
Ultimately, “A Quiet Place: Day One” could have been set in any apocalyptic scenario. The attempt to expand upon the original’s smart premise falls short, as the novelty has worn off. The film struggles to build a world around its initial concept, holding it back from achieving the same impact.
“A Quiet Place: Day One,” a Paramount Pictures release, hits theaters on Friday. It is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for “terror and violent content/bloody images” and has a running time of 100 minutes. Two stars out of four.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
