A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)

A Quiet Place: Day One throws us into the heart of the alien invasion that terrorised the Abbott family in the previous films. We follow Samira (Lupita Nyong’o), a New Yorker on a seemingly ordinary day, thrust into a world of chaos as the blind but sound-sensitive creatures descend. Paired with a young man named Eric (Joseph Quinn), they navigate the crumbling cityscape, desperately seeking refuge. 

There’s no denying the tension that A Quiet Place excels at. The constant threat of sound keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the film delivers some genuinely pulse-pounding moments. Remember that scene in the flooded subway station? Pure adrenaline rush.  However, the story itself feels like a missed opportunity. The Day One in the title promises an origin story—a deep dive into the initial confusion and terror of the invasion. Instead, we find ourselves dropped into a narrative that assumes the audience (and the characters in the story!) already understands the creature’s mechanics and the world’s predicament.

The performances are solid. Nyong’o, as always, is captivating, conveying volumes through her expressive eyes and subtle gestures. Quinn holds his own, but the script doesn’t give him much room to develop his character beyond being scared and resourceful. The real scene-stealer here is surprisingly feline; Frodo the cat provides some much-needed moments of (mostly silent) levity.

Visually, the film is impressive. The use of sound—or the lack thereof—is masterful. The bustling city reduced to a hushed ghost town is eerie and effective. The creatures themselves remain shrouded in mystery, adding to the fear factor. Where A Quiet Place: Day One falters is in its pacing. It feels rushed at times, skipping over moments that could have built a deeper emotional connection with the characters. 

A Quiet Place: Day One is a decent popcorn flick, but it doesn’t quite live up to the legacy of its predecessors. It lacks the emotional core and the sheer terror that made the originals so successful. Die-hard fans of the franchise might find some enjoyment in the world-building aspects, but overall, it feels like a slightly unnecessary detour in a well-established universe. 

So, should you see it? If you’re looking for a tense and suspenseful creature feature with a dash of sci-fi, then A Quiet Place: Day One might be worth your time. But if you’re expecting a groundbreaking addition to the franchise, you might leave the theatre feeling a little… well, quiet.