A Quiet Place: Day One - A Quiet Riot

The latest installment in the A Quiet Place franchise, A Quiet Place: Day One, is a cinematic masterpiece that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, the film takes us back to the day the blind aliens attacked, and we follow the journey of a terminally ill poet, Sam (Lupita Nyong’o), and a British law student, Eric (Joseph Quinn), as they trek from Manhattan to Harlem in search of a pizza.

A desolate cityscape, a testament to the destruction caused by the blind aliens.

The film’s unique approach to storytelling, where most of the apocalyptic mayhem happens off-screen, adds to the tension and suspense. The aliens, reminiscent of the Xenomorphs, are terrifying in their own right, and their ability to skitter about and hurl themselves from great heights at the hapless survivors is a sight to behold.

The beauty of stained glass windows amidst the destruction.

One of the most striking scenes in the film is when Sam finds herself with other survivors of the alien apocalypse, including Henri (Djimon Hounsou), in a partially destroyed church. The ruby red and glittering blue of the stained glass windows that survive are a poignant reminder of the beauty to be found amidst the worst carnage.

The puppet show, or rather the marionette show as Sam’s nurse Reuben (Alex Wolff) calls it, is also one of gossamer beauty.

The acting is anchored by a moving performance by Nyong’o, who has us believing it is worthwhile journeying across the city to get a pizza, which is not just a pie but a harkening to happier times when Sam’s jazz pianist father would take her for a post-performance pizza at Patsy’s.

The abandoned bookstore, a dream come true for book lovers.

The abandoned bookstore seems like a dream come true - who would not like to spend hours on end at a quirky bookstore at the end of the world in absolute silence? Sam’s service cat, Frodo, also turns in a performance of a lifetime, seemingly laughing beneath its whiskers at the scurrying humans.

A Quiet Place: Day One is a must-watch for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. With its unique storytelling approach, stunning visuals, and outstanding performances, it is a cinematic experience like no other.

Lupita Nyong’o shines in her role as Sam.