Sukanya reviews A Quiet Place: Day One, which is about a terminally ill woman and her nurse in post-apocalyptic New York City, exclusively for Different Truths.
In *A Quiet Place: Day One*, the story starts at a hospice just outside New York City. Here, Samira “Sam” (Lupita Nyong’o), a terminally ill cancer patient, lives with her cat, Frodo. Sam, burdened by her illness, is reluctant about life. Her nurse, Reuben (Alex Wolff), persuades her to join a group outing to a marionette show in Manhattan. This outing sets the stage for an extraordinary and terrifying journey.
As the group enters bustling Manhattan, meteor-like objects suddenly come crashing down, signalling the start of an alien invasion. These blind extraterrestrial creatures have an acute sense of hearing, making any deadly noise. The chaos is captured with intense cinematography, and Sam is knocked unconscious in pandemonium.
Sam wakes up inside the puppet theatre with other survivors, including the resourceful Henri (Djimon Hounsou). The survivors quickly realize the need for absolute silence to avoid the creatures. The film’s use of sound—or the lack thereof—creates a tension that grips the audience from this point onward. In the theatre, everyone in the audience was so engrossed that whispers filled the room during the intermission and even after the movie ended.
The group’s situation worsens as the power grid fails, triggering a noisy emergency generator that attracts a creature. Reuben’s attempt to silence the generator results in his gruesome death, leaving Sam to flee with Frodo towards Harlem. The military broadcasts instructions for civilians to remain silent and hidden, planning to evacuate survivors by boat from South Street Seaport, as the creatures cannot swim.
Sam’s journey through the city is fraught with danger. She meets Eric (Joseph Quinn), an English law student traumatized by the invasion. Together, they navigate the treacherous landscape. Their desperate trek is filled with close calls and narrow escapes, each moment heightening the suspense.
The tension peaks when Sam and Eric wade through a flooded subway to escape the creatures. This intense scene ends with Sam unconscious. They find temporary refuge in a ruined church, where Eric retrieves pain medication for Sam and rescues Frodo from a construction site. Discovering the creatures feeding on human remains adds a horrifying twist.
In a touching moment, Sam shares memories of her late father and her final wish to visit a jazz club in Harlem and enjoy a slice of pizza. Eric honours her wish, creating a brief respite of normalcy amidst the chaos. However, their peace is short-lived as they witness survivors escaping by boat, prompting Sam to make a self-sacrificial decision.
Michael Sarnoski’s direction is masterful. He skillfully blends psychological and supernatural horror while maintaining a tight, suspenseful narrative. The film’s cinematography captures the desolation and danger of a post-apocalyptic New York City with haunting beauty. Practical effects are used effectively, adding to the film’s immersive quality.
The film’s pacing is flawless, with smooth transitions between quiet suspense and explosive action. Sarnoski and John Krasinski co-wrote the script, which is concise and well-organised to allow for rich character development and plot progression without needless filler. The musical score perfectly complements the film’s eerie tone, enhancing both emotional and suspenseful moments.
*A Quiet Place: Day One* is a fantastic film that excels in every aspect of filmmaking. From its hauntingly atmospheric cinematography to its compelling performances and masterful direction, the film is a triumph of horror and suspense. Every element, from the meticulous sound design to the gripping plot, works together to create a relentless and immersive cinematic experience. *A Quiet Place: Day One* stands out as a high point in the horror genre and a testament to the power of well-executed storytelling. It is a must-watch for fans of the series and horror enthusiasts alike.
Picture from IMDb
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