A Quiet Place (2018) begins 89 days after the invasion of murderous aliens with highly-developed hearing. John Krasinski’s hit thriller then jumps back in time one year.
Before picking up where the first part left off, the sequel, released in 2021, relates the arrival of the creatures from the point of view of the Abbott family in the small town of Millbrook, north of New York.
A Quiet Place – Day One tells the story of how this terrible day unfolded in the heart of the American metropolis.
Again here, the emphasis is on point of view. While the first two films capture the challenges of raising young children in silence – and constant fear – Day One offers the perspective of a woman with incurable cancer as she faces the apparent end of the world .
This is a bold choice by Michael Sarnoski (Pig), who takes over from John Krasinski behind the camera, and who co-wrote the screenplay with the latter. Especially since Sam – main character – is antisocial and cynical. Despite the efforts of her hospice staff, she only wants the presence of her cat Frodo while she awaits death. The tragic events will, however, reveal a character of great depth played masterfully by Lupita Nyong’o (Us, the Black Panther, 12 Years a Slave).
On June 18, despite her reluctance, Sam agrees to ride the bus that takes the patients into town to attend a show. She makes the nurse in charge of the group promise to stop at a pizza place on the way back. However, she is told to return quickly. Sam’s anger is suddenly replaced by fear, as a rain of gigantic, long-limbed creatures descends on New York.
Horrifyingly, the din of destruction is short-lived. Sam comes to his senses among a group that has already noticed that the aliens react to noise. With the exception of the woman who was looking for Jonathan – you’ll understand – the humans quickly realized that silence is required. Surprising, though…
The many New York bridges are also destroyed without delay, because the aliens cannot swim – another detail observed in a short time. The survivors walk towards the south of the island in the hope of being evacuated by boat. Sam heads towards Harlem instead, in search of his pizza. Along the way, she meets Eric (Joseph Quinn, seen in Stranger Things), a completely terrified British law student. The two will help each other on this perilous journey to Patsy’s restaurant.
Day One has some good action scenes that are very anxiety-inducing: in a flooded tunnel, a glass building or the devastated streets. The work of cinematographer Pat Scola and production designer Simon Bowles deserves to be highlighted.
We also feel it more than we would have imagined. Knowing her day has come, Sam opens her heart and allows herself to live again. Lupita Nyong’o communicates a vast range of emotions through her gaze alone. His interactions with the cat also convey an impressive register. Distraught, Eric clings to the determination of his new friend and gradually becomes the one who carries her. Their relationship offers beautiful, touching moments, but which sometimes stretch. We almost forget the omnipresent danger that always has an outstretched ear.
We hoped that the third A Quiet Place would widen the lens on the invasion of our planet. Well-crafted, the story remains intimate and preserves the mystery of the aliens. A refreshing choice, since so many prequels have made the mistake of explaining everything. We still remain somewhat hungry while waiting for a fourth part.