A Quiet Place: Day One - A Bleak yet Life-Affirming Account of the Apocalypse

The latest installment in the Quiet Place franchise, Day One, is a stylish and satisfying prequel that sets the tone for the start of the end of the world. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, who co-wrote the screenplay with John Krasinski, this film takes a bold step in a new direction, beefing up the intimate horror premise with robust city-smashing disaster movie muscle.

A desolate New York City

The film’s setting in New York, one of the noisiest places on Earth, adds an extra layer of tension to the already fraught atmosphere. Lupita Nyong’o shines as Sam, a poet and terminal cancer patient who wants to live a little before she dies. Her textured and complex performance brings a sense of depth to the film, making it a bleak yet curiously life-affirming account of the apocalypse.

Lupita Nyong’o as Sam

The screenplay elegantly integrates Sam’s poet’s sensibility into the storytelling, making for a stylish and satisfying prequel. While there are a couple of underdeveloped plot points, such as the discovery of an alien egg nursery, the film’s impact is considerable, ramping up the stakes compared to its immediate predecessor.

The eerie alien egg nursery

As the world descends into chaos, Sam’s unflappable cat becomes an unlikely hero, adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise bleak landscape. It’s a testament to the film’s skillful direction that even the most unlikely of devices can become a compelling plot point.

Sam’s unflappable cat

A Quiet Place: Day One is a must-see for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. With its stylish direction, satisfying plot, and standout performance from Lupita Nyong’o, it’s a film that will leave you on the edge of your seat, wondering what’s next for the survivors of the apocalypse.

A Quiet Place: Day One poster