Alex Moss Editor2018’s A Quiet Place was something of a surprise hit thanks to its brilliantly inventive horror concept. A Quiet Place: Day One takes that same simple concept and does something unexpected and hugely refreshing.
Taking place before the events of the first two Quiet Place films – hence the Day One title – we follow Samira (Lupita Nyong’o) a woman living in a hospice and preparing for the inevitable. Venturing into New York to go to the theatre she finds herself in a meteor shower that brings with it the monsters who hunt by sound. With the city in ruins and everyone trying to escape, Samira has other ideas. Accompanied by her service cat and the terrified Eric (Joseph Quinn) she is determined to get to Harlem.
From Pig director Michael Sarnoski, A Quiet Place: Day One is a franchise film that has no right to be as good as it is. From the get go it is not interested in deepening the mythology around the creatures, this is not Cameron’s Aliens to Scott’s Alien. If anything this is more akin to Scott’s masterpiece, a film much more interested in characters while monsters lurk in the shadows. While in some ways the set pieces are occasionally bigger than previous films they are always told in a much more personal manner than you’d expect of a film of this ilk. Those hoping for a grand action horror should look elsewhere, those looking for a surprisingly moving story about life and hope will be hugely rewarded.
Sarnoski has taken the concept of the silence the franchise demands to smart heights that allows him to explore a rich relationship between two strangers. It is a beautifully intimate story of hope amid utter devastation. At almost exactly ninety minutes it’s a concise narrative, one that could easily have landed straight on a streaming service but thankfully has found a life much greater than something so disposable.
Crucial to this are two incredibly moving performances. Nyong’o’s Samira is so devastatingly resolute in the face of her impending fate it is inspiring. When all else is lost all you have is a commitment to you, and yet, if you can somehow make a difference in others lives to give yours more meaning then you can walk away with your head held high. Meanwhile, Joseph Quinn, up to this point probably best known for his guitar playing sacrifice in Stranger Things, is a revelation. His Eric is so terrified, he perfectly captures that feeling of dread but a determination to try and rise above it. His terror is infectious, his heart and determination to not only be there for Samira but also rely on her strength is such a powerful dynamic you cannot help but fall for them both.
A really interesting direction to take the Quiet Place franchise in the way it opens itself up to individual stories focusing on fascinating and beautifully crafted characters. A Quiet Place: Day One is a resounding success and evidence there is a desire to make genre films that raise the audience up rather than just carry them on a journey of escapism.
A Quiet Place: Day One is available to buy digitally and available on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, DVD now.
