A Quiet Place: Day One Review

“A Quiet Place: Day One” serves as a captivating prequel to the first two installments in the trilogy. The film introduces us to Samira (Sam), portrayed by the talented Lupita Nyong’o. Samira is a terminally ill woman residing in a hospice care facility in New York City, accompanied by her loyal cat, Frodo.

When the invasion begins, a compassionate care worker persuades Sam to venture out with a group heading to Manhattan for a show and some pizza. During their journey, the group witnesses meteor-like objects crashing into the city. But these celestial events are merely a prelude to the real terror: aggressive alien creatures attacking unsuspecting people.

Sam, disoriented and groggy, regains consciousness inside a dimly lit puppet theater. The air hangs heavy with tension. She quickly realizes that silence is her lifeline—the only defense against the relentless alien threat.

Across the room, Henri, portrayed by the formidable Djimon Hounsou, motions urgently to the other survivors. His eyes convey the gravity of the situation: no noise, no exceptions. Meanwhile, outside, military helicopters crisscross the sky, their loudspeakers blaring desperate pleas for citizens to stay hidden and hushed until rescue arrives.

In this eerie sanctuary, Sam clings to silence, hoping it will shield her from the horrors lurking beyond the theater’s walls.

 “A Quiet Place: Day One” plunges us into chaos when the power grid abruptly fails, and the backup generator roars to life, its noise echoing all the way to Texas. Unbeknownst to the survivors, this cacophony becomes a siren call for the alien invaders, turning the once-peaceful theater into a battleground.

Sam, desperate to find safety, flees the scene but gets separated from her cat, Frodo. Meanwhile, Frodo—seemingly unfazed by the apocalypse—takes a leisurely stroll. Fate leads him to a flooded subway station, where he encounters Eric, an English law student portrayed by our favorite “Stranger Things” rocker, Joseph Quinn.

Eric, following Frodo, reunites the cat with Sam. Together, they navigate the perilous city streets in search of pizza (because even during an alien invasion, pizza cravings persist). Along the way, Eric discovers that Sam urgently needs medication. Determined to help, he agrees to trek to a nearby pharmacy.

But then, atop a beam, Eric spots Frodo again. Only this time, they’re dangerously close to a colossal alien feasting on who-knows-what. As Eric climbs, his heart pounding, he makes a slight noise—one that catches the alien’s attention. The tension is palpable as he scrapes by, saving both himself and the cat.

Now, about that cat-saving heroism: I’ve never owned a pet, but in that moment, I was torn. Part of me thought, “F that cat—let it figure out how to climb down!” But another part acknowledged the bond between humans and their furry companions. Would I risk my life for an animal? Maybe not, but Eric’s bravery certainly gave me pause.

Spoiler Alert! If you’re still with me, here’s the ending:  

After indulging in entertainment and pizza, Sam and Eric decide to take a short walk. As they stroll, they spot boats on the river—filled with survivors desperate to escape Manhattan. The alien creatures, drawn like moths to a flame, congregate along the shore, their eerie eyes tracking the boat’s movement away from the port.

Now, here’s where Sam’s plans take an unexpected turn. Her original intention was never to leave her home, but circumstances force her hand. With Eric and Frodo by her side, she becomes an unlikely hero. Armed with determination (and a handy car window-smashing technique), she helps them escape the relentless alien menace.

Eric, displaying impressive agility, jumps into the water and is promptly rescued by the dependable Henri. Ah, Henri—the same leader we remember from “A Quiet Place Part II,” presiding over that small island colony of survivors who welcomed Regan Abbott and Emmett.

And speaking of Frodo, that cat deserves an award for being the quietest feline ever. Seriously, I’ve seen library mice make more noise. 

Now, let’s talk about the movie overall. From start to finish, it’s a rollercoaster of suspense and thrills. Just as gripping as its predecessors, it delivers on the promise of a good old-fashioned creature feature. The storyline keeps you hooked, and the characters feel real—even amid an otherworldly invasion.

Sure, they didn’t explain the aliens’ origins or how they arrived on Earth, but sometimes mystery adds to the intrigue. So, grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and prepare for a scare—because “A Quiet Place: Day One” delivers the goods!

This movie gets 5 out of 5 acorns.