"A Quiet Place: Day One" directed by Michael Sarnoski is a prequel to the original film "A Quiet Place." This is an intense film with elements of sci-fi that can be graphic for viewers. Lupita Nyong'o, who starred in "Black Panther," played the lead role of Sam in this movie, while Joseph Quinn played Eric. The bond between their characters is undeniable and wholesome.
Synopsis
An intense alien invasion strikes New York City. The narrative centers on Sam and other survivors, who withstood the attack, while the city was demolished. They discover that they have to keep quiet at all times since the aliens will attack if they hear. Sam is diagnosed with cancer, and her goal before she dies is to eat pizza from a place in Harlem.
Highs
The computer-generated imagery (CGI) is superb and does a fantastic job of capturing the aliens in the movie. It demonstrates the destruction that these aliens created as well as how repulsive and terrifying they are. This brought the film together and kept the audience in suspense.
Nyong'o's acting is another highlight; she captured Sam's bravery and strength flawlessly. She conveyed every feeling Sam had while coping with this deadly illness. She demonstrated her willingness to stop at nothing to fulfill her wish to have pizza one final time before dying.
Frodo, Sam's cat, joins her on their terrible journey through the invasion. The cutest thing in the movie is this cat, who gets paid to act. She is a darling cat, full of curiosity and activity, and she is just as fearless as Sam. The movie was fantastic and this cat was funny. It provided this gloomy movie with a humorous element.
Quinn's portrayal of Eric, an individual overflowing with emotion and terror, was another highlight. His persona, originally from England, moved to New York to pursue law school, and the alien invasion completely changed his life. Sam and Eric grew close, even though Sam was first resistant to having anyone near her to survive. The fact that he begins to care for her so much makes their connection wholesome. It sheds a little light on the alien invasion in this film.
Lows
There weren't many negative points in this movie, but Sam's background story was the biggest one. Her condition and the process of getting a diagnosis were not extensively discussed. Her family's whereabouts were not mentioned; if it had been, the film would have been deeper. The fact that the conclusion was unexpected and could have been more pleasant is another low point.
More information about the origins and creation process of these aliens ought to have been included. Since this is meant to take place before the events of the first "A Quiet Place," it would have been ideal to include in a prequel. There is a low amount of background knowledge available on these creatures.
Verdict
This is an intriguing movie that keeps the audience on their feet with plenty of suspense. It demonstrates how courageous one must be in the face of a terrible alien invasion. This science fiction movie has strong, often graphic content.
Rating: 7 out of 10
Mariam Fakhreddine is a film and theater reviewer for The Eastern Echo. She has worked as a news and features reporter for The Echo for two years.
