To prepare for spooky season, “A Quiet Place: Day One” is a perfect film choice to set the mood. The 2024 addition to the “Quiet Place” franchise introduces viewers to Samira, played by Lupita Nyong’o, her cat Frodo and Eric, played by Joseph Quinn. Samira is a terminally ill cancer patient, and Eric is a British law student in America.
The franchise follows a world overtaken by monsters that hunt by sound. This time, the monsters are in New York, where Samira is visiting her nurse when creatures begin attacking. The film’s greatest strength is suspense. Everything is silent, which forces viewers into a similar hyperaware state as the characters. The lack of sound lulls viewers into a strange sense of unease and peace, aiming to keep them on the edge of their seats. However, at times, the silence works against the film’s pacing. Certain scenes feel drawn out, leaving audiences waiting for action that never comes.
There’s also very little music in the movie, which is a good choice given the premise. The few musical moments are beautiful and effective, helping set the mood and mimic characters’ emotions. I feel like if the film had stuck to having no music except for the very end, it would have further emphasized the tone, capturing the mood even more.
Nyong’o and Quinn deliver standout performances. They master fear and terror, and make a convincing friendship in the midst of all the panic. The two characters are so different in one key aspect: one wants to live, and one doesn’t. I find this to be a tragic but refreshing take with no romance between them and an interesting character dynamic that allows us to watch as the characters grow emotionally.
There are, however, some lingering questions. If the monsters cannot swim, and evacuation by boat is possible, why not use loudspeakers from boats or helicopters to draw the creatures away? While these holes don’t completely derail the film, they do raise logistical issues for the plot that can feel distracting.
In terms of its horror-thriller status, the film isn’t super gory, but death is nearly unavoidable. This isn’t a gross or disturbing movie; it mostly relies on aftermath shots, which keep the focus on the emotional impact rather than graphic gore or jarring horror. There are a couple scenes that stand out to me, but without giving too much away, I’ll say this: the most impactful death might not be by a monster.
The ending absolutely had me in tears. Even if it is predictable, I thought it’s a beautiful way to wrap up the movie. It managed to be heartbreakingly sad and happy at the same time, and was a testament to the actors’ performances for sure.
Overall, this is a very good movie, especially for anyone wanting to get into the Halloween spirit. It’s more of a suspense-thriller, so if you’re looking for something gorier or just a different kind of horror, it might not be for you. It doesn’t have the most original plot as far as horror films go, but all the performances are absolutely worth watching. It’s free on Prime Video and not too long of a watch.
