A Quiet Place: Day One
A Quiet Place: Day One is playing in theaters at the time of writing. Rated PG-13. Common Sense says 14+.
Sam (Lupita Nyong’o) is a bitter but feisty cancer patient in hospice care. One day during a field trip to NYC, murderous aliens invade the city. Will Sam be able to reconnect with her roots before becoming the aliens’ next appetizer?
STORY: C+
The story emphasizes the main character’s inner journey.
Sam’s journey is enough to make the story interesting. But in the first two films, battling the aliens forced the characters to grow. Here, Sam grows not because of, but despite the alien invasion. It’s a subtle difference, but it creates a lack of unity that holds the story back from greatness.
PEOPLE: B+
Lupita Nyong’o delivers a captivating performance.
It takes a lot to be able to convey a complete emotional arc in near silence. Nyong’o only makes it look easy.
Lupita’s eyes leap off the screen. They are lyrical, lucid, and luminous. She likely saves the film from mediocrity.
FILM NERD STUFF: A-
The film uses a lot of effective handheld camerawork.
The shaking frame communicates the chaos, uncertainty, and fear every New Yorker feels during the invasion. The immersive visual style makes us feel like we’re right there with them.
ELECTIVE CLASS (Alien Colonialism - A History): C-
The film - surprisingly - doesn't feel very connected to the franchise’s mythology.
The A Quiet Place franchise’s secret weapon is that it always places more value on its characters than its scenario. Yet one gets the feeling that they lean a touch too far into that ethos this time around.
It’s strange for a film about the beginning of something so big to show such little concern about what comes next.
FINAL COMMENTS:
A Quiet Place: Day One has lots to love. The alien devastation is satisfyingly impressive. The cinematography is emotional and at times, stunning. Lupita Nyong’o’s performance should pop up on the Oscar shortlist. As should the cat’s.
I definitely recommend the film, even if the decision to reduce the aliens’ role to jump scares and - ironically - background noise keeps it from reaching the same levels of magic as the first two films.