‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ – A Worthy Prequel Anchored by Lupita Nyong'o’s Masterful Performance
Director: Michael Sarnoski
Rating: 7/10
When it was announced that they were making a prequel of the beloved “A Quiet Place” franchise, I couldn’t help but have a mixed bag of excitement and skepticism. Only because the first two installments were already great, and to make a prequel about the time that the invasion started, may sound interesting but can be very risky as it would result in having cheap writing. After all, the original “A Quiet Place” broke new ground with its unique premise and tension-filled atmosphere, while the second installment took the suspense to another level. Could this prequel set on the first day of the alien invasion, live up to its predecessors? While it may not have broken any new ground or be as thrilling as the previous installments, “A Quiet Place: Day One” is still a commendable addition to the franchise with a groundbreaking central performance by Lupita Nyong’o.
Lupita’s central performance is nothing short of extraordinary. The challenge of playing a character with minimal dialogue in a movie where silence is paramount is not a small feat. However, Lupita rises to the occasion with subtle nuances and grace. She showcased her incredible emotional range and nuanced expressions throughout the movie, with every flicker of fear, a glimmer of hope, and every ounce of determination conveyed through her eyes and body language. The character itself doesn’t have much to play around with, but she does so much with her character, from subtle emotions to intricate gestures, telling us how she’s been feeling without ever uttering a word. This is a testament to Lupita Nyong’o’s remarkable talent and a highlight of the entire movie. Truly, Lupita is one of our generation’s great actresses.
Paramount Pictures
One of the more unusual additions to the film is the cat. At first, this may seem like an odd choice, given the inherently noisy and playful nature of cats. However, it quickly becomes apparent that this feline companion makes sense in the movie as cats are known for their stealth and ability to move silently, and in relation to the movie, it perfectly aligns with the characters’ survival tactics. As a cat person myself, I found it both amusing and anxiety-inducing how the cat somehow always manages to find the characters or vice versa, even after it had seemingly run away or lost, they always find the cat, Frodo. Every time a cat was off-screen, my anxiety would skyrocket, and I couldn’t help but question whether the cat was a vital addition to the movie for the characters to risk their lives for. While I am not complaining about the addition of the cat, making it such an important character in a life-threatening situation did feel somewhat absurd to me. But then again, this might just be because of my overt obsession with cats. Whether this constant worry was a good or bad thing, it’s up to me and does not really affect the entire movie’s narrative and is still up for debate.
While “A Quiet Place: Day One” may not possess the same thrill and suspense as the two installments, the beauty of this movie is that it does not try to outdo its predecessors. Instead, the movie offers us answers we’ve all been craving since the beginning---where did the aliens come from? The first two movies threw us right into a world that’s already being ravaged by these sound-sensitive aliens, leaving us wondering about their origins and intentions. This prequel, however, offers a refreshing take by allowing us to experience the chaos and terror of the invasion’s onset through the eyes of a new character, Sam, played wonderfully by Lupita. Witnessing the world unravel and succumb to chaos on the first day of the invasion was a thrilling experience, despite the film not being as heart-pounding as the previous installments. Written and directed by Michael Sarnoski, they did an excellent job of capturing the initial shock and confusion of the world, and it was fascinating to see how different the characters reacted to the sudden disruption and upheaval of their lives. Lupita’s character, in particular, provided a unique perspective, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story.
On a negative note, the movie does have its drawbacks, especially when it comes to characterization. One notable example is Joseph Quinn’s character, Eric, who appears only in the second half of the movie. It’s kinda difficult to form a connection to his character given that audiences are expected to care about him as we only get a little back story of his life, with his parents living overseas. This lack of compelling characterization is a noticeable departure from the first two movies, where we’re deeply invested in the family’s fates. However, despite this, the performances of Lupita and Joseph remain the backbone of the movie. Lupita’s central performance alone is a visual treat for the audiences and could be a masterclass in subtle performance. Her portrayal is so masterful that it draws us closer to her character, making us feel every moment of her journey. While the supporting character may not be as compelling, the strength of the performances helps to carry the entire movie.
In conclusion, “A Quiet Place: Day One” may have not broken any new ground or reached the same level of suspense as its predecessors, but it still holds its own as a worthy addition to the franchise. With remarkable performances from Lupit and Joseph, the prequel is a must-watch for the fans of the franchise. The inclusion of the cat, while anxiety-inducing for some, adds an interesting dynamic to the story. The movie’s exploration of the invasion’s origins provides the answers we’ve been seeking, making it a satisfying prequel that enriches the overall story. “A Quiet Place: Day One” may have its visible flaws, but it’s a commendable entry that leaves a long-lasting impression, especially because of the performances.
