A Quiet Place: Day One Movie Review : A gritty but flawed prequel

Story: In the prequel to A Quiet Place (2018), a terminally ill woman and her cat navigate New York City when aliens with ultrasonic hearing attack.

Review: The cacophonous NYC has an average 90-decibel noise level, equivalent to a human's scream. But to survive alien creatures with hypersensitive hearing, people must be mute – a shirt ripping can get you killed. Samira (Lupita Nyong'o) is trapped, along with her cat Frodo, other hospice patients, and nurse Reuben (Alex Wolff). Their escape route is through the South Street Seaport, but Sam defies orders for a seemingly frivolous mission: pizza in Harlem. This chaotic journey is the heart of A Quiet Place: Day One.

Prequels typically answer lingering questions, but Day One prioritises immediate chaos and character struggles. The narrative leaves you wanting more clarity. Inconsistencies like authorities inexplicably knowing the aliens' water weakness on the first day (while the sequels portrayed several hundreds of days to work out strategies) and a sparsely populated NYC despite the global threat create plot holes.

Despite these flaws, the film delivers a gritty and bone-chilling experience. Close calls, impressive CGI, terrifying creatures, and panic-stricken characters keep you on the edge of your seat. Jump scares and moments of pure terror are plentiful. The movie falters slightly when a new survivor, Eric (Joseph Quinn), joins Sam and her cat. While the first half is thrilling, the second leans heavily on melodrama. Emotional scenes delve into Sam's past, her pizza craving, and her connection to music—elements that, while adding depth, disrupt the pacing.

Pat Scola's cinematography is awe-inspiring. From jump scares to the apocalyptic scenes, especially close-up shots of Lupita Nyong'o, the film creates a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere.

Nyong'o delivers a stellar performance as a hardened, terminally ill woman, conveying volumes through her eyes and expressions despite being mostly silent. Joseph Quinn shines too, portraying a survivor who's both terrified and resourceful. Djimon Hounsou's brief appearance as Henri (from A Quiet Place Part II) provides the only direct connection to the main series.

A Quiet Place: Day One is a visually stunning and suspenseful thrill ride, but narrative inconsistencies and a shift in tone hold it back from reaching the heights of its predecessors. Still, fans of the franchise and those seeking a good scare will find much to enjoy.