Is anybody up for some pizza in an apocalyptic world? Because, A Quiet Place: Day One brings you exactly that. A perfect prequel that won’t let you take your eyes off the screen, A Quiet Place: Day One, is a gripping tale of the origins of the creatures that silenced the world.
Tender would be the last word used to describe a horror/sci-fi movie, but A Quiet Place Part III is just that. Set in the bustling and loud city of New York, a terminal woman under hospice care with nothing to lose and her undying determination to fulfill her final wish is the driving force behind this prequel to the blockbusters Quiet Place 1 and 2, both directed by John Krasinski. While the first two films follow a family, who has much to lose, and struggles to survive in the apocalyptic world, this prequel follows a woman who has outlived her time and has nothing to lose. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, the third installment of the series, co-written by Krasinski, is a solid film that manages to stand on its own without falling under the shadows of the previous two.
While the premise of the movie is the origins of the blind creatures with hyper-sensitive hearing that wreaked havoc across the world, it is the sweet, tender, and platonic moments shared between Lupita Nyong'o’s Sam and Joseph Quinn’s Eric that manage to create a niche in the hearts of the viewers.
The dynamics of Nyong and Quinn amidst the rubble and alien-ridden world are to be much appreciated. But the star of the show is the cat Frodo who follows Sam around in an apocalyptic world, and despite all odds (spoiler) manages to survive. A surprising friendship that is sure to capture the hearts of the viewers is that of Eric and Frodo who ends up being a beacon of comfort for both Sam and Eric in a world where all sense of peace is lost.
A recurring face that connects this movie to the previous one is that of Henri played by Djimon Hounsou, who happens to be one of the very few who manage to evacuate and survive the carnage.
While the first half of the movie is ridden with action sequences, the second half sees much less of that and is focused primarily on Nyong’o and Quinn’s character dynamics and their quest for a slice of pizza. While Sarnoski puts his best foot forward with the action sequences which will have the viewers at the edge of their seats holding their breath, the movie is overpowered by its tender moments shared between the protagonists.
Ridden with scenes that will have you holding your breath in silence, the film captures the very essence of horror and panic that made the first two films such a banger for all the gory horror-loving film enthusiasts.
Thanks to Nyong’o and Quinn’s chemistry and stirring performances, Day One remains engaging from start to finish. Sarnoski’s focus on themes of sorrow and being is what separates it from the rest of the franchise and makes it less horrid and more poignant. A Quiet Place: Day One is a perfect weekend watch for both horror enthusiasts and others.