The Horror of Silence: A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE
by Danny Mendes, TheCinebuff.com
In the universe of A Quiet Place, silence is golden. in A Quiet Place Day One director Michael Sarnoski takes us from the quiet forests of upstate New York to the hustle and bustle of New York City. The third entry of the franchise is a spinoff that takes place on the very first day of the alien invasion that begins the saga’s conflict.
Sam (Lupita Nyong’o) is a terminally ill patient on borrowed time. As the invasion begins, Sam, her cat Frodo, and Eric (Joseph Quinn) are on a quest for survival through a ravaged New York City. For a franchise built on thrills, Day One goes in a different direction by placing more emphasis on characters rather than action.
A Quiet Place has always been anchored in tragedy, but Day One is even grimmer than the previous two films. Nyong’o gives an emotionally charged performance as a woman who’s lost all sense of meaning and passion for life. Knowing that any day could be her last, she resigns herself to her own mortality. It’s only after she meets Eric that she learns there’s still beauty in life even in the face of death. Nyong’o and Quinn have tremendous chemistry together. Without relying on dialogue, they’re able to convey their fear, sadness, and joy. Top it off with an adorable cat, and you have a trio of characters who prove this franchise is strong enough to endure even without its initial stars.
The initial crash-landing of the aliens evokes strong 9/11 imagery not unlike Spielberg’s 2005 film War of the Worlds. A quiet and barren New York City makes for an affecting mood; a nice change of pace considering the remote setting of the previous films.
Day One is not as advertised in the trailers which make us think we’re in for a big summer blockbuster. Instead it hinges entirely on one character’s personal mission. Sam just wants to have one slice of pizza from Patsy’s in Harlem before she dies. On paper, it’s a bit ridiculous, but when Sam explains what it means to her, we buy into it with no questions asked. For some viewers, it might take some getting used to, but once you hop onto its wavelength, it’s a cathartic journey.
Much like his first film Pig, Sarnoski plays with all expectations to give us something we didn’t know we wanted, but in the end is much more satisfying. With his second feature, Sarnoski proves to be one of Hollywood’s most promising filmmakers. Overall, the focus on character makes Day One a unique experience. It’s smaller scale and intimate in a way that most blockbusters attempt but fail to be.
Originally published at http://behindtherabbitproductions.wordpress.com on July 5, 2024.
