A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) | Review

Ever wondered what would happen if New York City actually fell silent? No, not because of a subway strike or a Yankees loss, but due to bloodthirsty aliens with supersonic hearing? Well, guess what? A Quiet Place: Day One is here to satisfy your oddly specific curiosity!

This prequel, directed by Michael Sarnoski, takes us back to when Earth became the galaxy’s worst ASMR video. We follow Sam (Lupita Nyong’o), a cancer patient who picked the wrong day to visit her childhood pizza joint. Talk about bad timing. She’s joined by Eric (Joseph Quinn), a British law student who’s about to learn that “the right to remain silent” has a whole new meaning.

But really, Nyong’o’s Oscar notwithstanding, the star of the show is Frodo the therapy cat. This feline puts mime artists to shame with his incredible ability to stay mum even when the world is literally falling apart. I swear, this cat has more self-control than I do at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Nico and Schnitzel, the feline actors behind Frodo, deserve a standing ovation… or at least a lifetime supply of catnip.

The movie does a bang-up job of showing how humans learn to zip it faster than a celebrity who’s about to be canceled. It’s like watching the world’s most intense game of charades, where the penalty for making a sound is becoming an alien takeout order. Those aliens are like that annoying close-talker from Seinfeld, except with more teeth and less small talk. Think of them as the universe’s most aggressive audiophiles.

Sarnoski, fresh from making us care about Nicolas Cage’s truffle pig, works his magic again. He turns what could have been a simple game of alien hide-and-seek into a touching story of human connection. The tension is cranked up to 11, especially in IMAX, where the sound design makes you feel like you’re in New York during the alien invasion. It’s so realistic, you’ll be shushing your popcorn. I’m talking edge-of-your-seat, hold-your-breath kind of tension.

The Big Apple has never looked so terrifyingly beautiful. Sarnoski takes full advantage of the urban landscape, turning familiar sights into alien playgrounds. The image of these creatures swarming across skyscrapers will stick with you – my only peeve is that they destroyed the whole city even quicker than Godzilla and his pals doing the latest TikTok dance.

A Quiet Place: Day One also boasts some genuinely heart-pounding set pieces. There’s a scene in a flooded subway tunnel that’ll make you rethink your stance on public transportation. Let’s just say, after watching this, you’ll never complain about your commute again. Unless, of course, your commute involves navigating alien-infested waters in total silence. In which case, maybe it’s time to work from home?

Nyong’o and Quinn carry the film with performances that speak volumes, even when they can’t actually speak. Their ability to convey complex emotions with just their eyes and body language is excellent. And let’s not forget Alex Wolff, who, despite limited screen time, manages to leave a strong impression.

While it’s a prequel, you don’t need a Ph.D. in Quiet Place-ology to enjoy it. However, for the eagle-eyed fans, there’s a cameo from Djimon Hounsou reprising his role as Henri. It’s like finding an Easter egg… if Easter eggs could potentially eat you.

In conclusion, A Quiet Place: Day One proves that silence isn’t just golden – it’s survival. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions, scares, and “Did that cat seriously not meow?” moments. So grab your quietest snacks (marshmallows, anyone?), leave your cell phone on silent, and enjoy what might be the best installment in the franchise. This movie is rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi terror and violence. Side effects may include an irrational fear of making any noise whatsoever, a newfound appreciation for sign language, and the irresistible urge to “shush” anyone who talks during the movie. But hey, that last one’s not so bad, right? Just remember: if you scream, the aliens win!