A Quiet Place – Day 1 Review: A Quiet Mustache Far From Greatness

Director: Michael Sarnoski

Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Woodward, Elijah Ungvary, Cain Aiden

Or: At the movie theater

Rating: 2.5 stars

In the cacophony of apocalyptic cinema, Silently: Day 1 by Michael Sarnoski, the third film and prequel to the franchise, attempts to navigate a genre that thrives on explosions and resounding jolts. Starring Lupita Nyong’o in the lead role of Samira, a terminal cancer patient who navigates New York City during an alien invasion, one might expect a film brimming with human and alien drama. Instead, focusing on his support cat, Frodo, overshadows the alien threat.

From the start, Sarnoski gets to the heart of the matter, with the invasion of aliens in the first ten minutes. This pacing leaves little room for character development, giving us enough time to learn that Samira has a fondness for Patsy’s pizza and poor health. As the plot moves at full speed, the characters drag, providing as much depth as a slice of New York pizza, tasty but ultimately thin.

Lupita Nyong’o, as always, delivers a moving performance. Her portrayal of Samira is touching, but it’s difficult to connect with a character whose backstory is more elusive than the origins of the alien invaders. Joseph Quinn’s Eric, a law student caught in the chaos, adds little more than another body to the mix, and Djimon Hounsou’s retaliation against Henri seems like an afterthought, with his character once again under-represented. used in a major franchise.

The real scene stealer? Frodo the Cat. This mustachioed marvel injects a dose of levity into the film, whether he’s inadvertently inducing a near-death experience or simply providing a brief respite from the incessant tension. Sarnoski seems to be aware of this, often relying on Frodo for cheap laughs and unexpected scares, which, while amusing, highlight the film’s reliance on tried-and-true horror tropes.

What the film excels at is the use of sound – or rather the lack of it. The silence is palpable, with occasional discordant noises reminding us how fragile our eardrums – and our lives – are in this new world. The sound design is a highlight, immersing the audience into a world where every crack and whisper could mean instant death. Sound amplifies tension, turning even the smallest sounds into thrilling moments.

However, the film’s strength in sound is offset by its weakness in exposition. We know that the aliens can’t swim and that they hunt using sound, but beyond that, we’re left in the dark. Why are they there? What do they want? The lack of answers makes the aliens seem more like a generic threat than a fully realized one. The film misses an opportunity to expand the series’ mythology, leaving fans hungry for more information.

The film’s attempts to inject emotional weight through Samira’s quest for one last slice of pizza feel both absurd and endearing. It’s a quirky subplot that gives the film a unique flavor, but it also serves as a reminder of the missed potential for deeper storytelling.

In the end, don’t expect any groundbreaking revelations or richly developed characters, as the film is just a simple rehash of the franchise’s premise.

Published on: Friday, June 28, 2024, 4:09 p.m. IST