The 2020 production A Quiet Place was not only one of the most successful films of that year but also of recent years. Especially in contemporary modern cinema, where horror movies often rely on sound effects and music, it offered a tension-filled adventure that successfully turned the absence of sound into a fear factor. While I may not be able to praise the sequel as much as the first, the universe itself is truly captivating. Like everyone else, I was among those curious about how this invasion began. Although the first two films reflected fragments from the past, we needed a broader perspective. A Quiet Place: Day One succeeds in providing this broader perspective in a satisfying, if not perfect, manner.
Let’s briefly touch on the plot… Samira (Lupita Nyong’o), who is undergoing cancer treatment, is tricked by Reuben (Alex Wolff) into coming to the city to watch a puppet show. What begins as a boring day gains color with the terror caused by creatures descending from the sky. These creatures, attacking everything they hear, silence the city within minutes. Although Samira manages to save her life by being among those who can hide and stay silent, she still has pizza on her mind. Yes, pizza!
It was obvious that the film would depict the first day of the invasion, but we did not get an answer as to why the invasion happened. Whether this is because they have no answer or because they are investing in the next film, time will tell. The film introduces us to Samira, who is already on the path to death. Despite trying to protect herself from the creatures throughout the film, it is clear from the beginning that the character does not want to survive. This choice adds color to the story, justifying her indifference and irrational decisions.
I can’t say the same for Joseph Quinn’s character. Portraying a character with a pure heart who fears being alone, Quinn moves the audience with his performance, but his decision to move away from the beach where the boats are departing turns into a touch of dramatic force. The energy between Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn is truly fantastic. Their performances might be the film’s greatest strength. One of the best aspects of the A Quiet Place series is that it never disappoints in terms of acting. While Emily Blunt captivated the audience in the first film, Millicent Simmonds amazed them in the second.
A Quiet Place: Day One especially shines with its helicopter scenes, presenting stunning visuals. The idea of herding the creatures, which run mindlessly towards every sound they hear, with helicopters and creating a small-scale earthquake as they collectively run, was quite impressive. IMAX enhances this horde run, making it even more striking. However, this remarkable idea fundamentally plants a bomb in the universe’s core. Essentially, the creatures mindlessly run towards every sound they hear. Hence, gathering and eliminating these creatures at a single point is quite possible. Especially towards the end of the film, when we see the creatures lined up as open targets along the shore, unable to enter the water, I asked myself: Why didn’t you gather these creatures in one spot and kill them one by one or collectively? How did you manage to lose this war? Is Emily Blunt and her family victims of a few stray creatures because they are far from the city, or did you really fail to kill such stupid creatures? Thoughts and more thoughts.
Although the first two films of A Quiet Place are high in tension, the third film leans more heavily on drama. Samira’s struggle to have one last slice of pizza before dying, despite the alien invasion, is presented to us adorned with her past and poetry. In fact, unlike the first two films, it feels more like a journey to death than a struggle for survival. A suicide march. She will either die later or die now. Nothing changes for Samira. But that pizza will be eaten.
In short… A Quiet Place: Day One is an enjoyable watch with its tension and dramatic structure. The film leans more heavily on drama than horror and tells an illogical adventure heading toward death rather than a struggle for survival. However, the character’s acceptance of death and proximity to it due to her illness justify her decisions. Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn elevate the film by portraying both high-tension and dramatic moments. Especially Lupita Nyong’o excels in conveying fear through her eyes. At its core, the film tells the story of a woman who pursues her ideals even in such a dystopian universe, rather than the post-First Day dystopian world story we expected. Therefore, although I didn’t get exactly what I wanted from the story, I must say I left the cinema happy.
Cast & Crew
director: Michael Sarnoski
writers: Michael Sarnoski, John Krasinski
starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou
USA | 2024 | 99 MINUTES |