Horror series - When New York stands still: "A Quiet Place: Day One"
They come from the void, blind and brutal: In the horror series "A Quiet Place" by US filmmaker John Krasinski (44), humanity must defend itself against rather noise-sensitive creatures. The first part, which became a surprise hit in 2018 and had a sequel two years later, began 470 days after the alien invasion. In the prequel "A Quiet Place: Day One," fans now learn how it all started.
After Emily Blunt in the first two parts, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o (41, "12 Years a Slave") is silent about her life this time. The writer Sam has essentially given up on life. She has terminal cancer, spends her time in a hospice, and reluctantly goes on an outing into the city. In the loud and chaotic New York, she is then right in the middle of things when, suddenly, spaceships fall from the sky. And the deadly auditory attack begins.
The monsters, which move at insane speeds on stilt-like legs, charge at anything that gives off a sound. The military seems to have little chance. While they can't swim, they are also not easy to defeat. Their only weakness, known to fans from the second part, is unknown to the protagonists of the prequel.
The quiet star of the film
During her survival struggle through the destroyed streets of New York, Sam encounters the completely terrified Eric (played by "Stranger Things" favorite Joseph Quinn), who wants to join her unconditionally. The quiet star of the film is, however, Sam's loyal and surprisingly soundless cat, which, like the aliens, seems indestructible.
"A Quiet Place: Day One" is not as quiet as its predecessors. In those, the mysterious monsters, who give no motivation for their violence, were still relatively rarely seen, and the silence took up more space. There are also such moments in the new part. For example, the most emotional scene takes place in an empty jazz club and comes entirely without dialogue.
Overall, the film from Michael Sarnoski, who took over directing duties from Krasinski this time, is louder and more grandiose, which is also reflected in the setting of the metropolis (the first films took place on the farm). Nyong’o’s role adds an emotional depth to the apocalyptic story.
Fans of the horror series do not have to wait long for a new supply: The regular third part is scheduled to come to the cinemas next year.
A Quiet Place: Day One, USA 2024, 99 Min., FSK 16, from Michael Sarnoski, with Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff.
- Lupita Nyong'o, an Oscar winner known for her role in '12 Years a Slave', takes on a silent role in the prequel to "A Quiet Place", titled "A Quiet Place: Day One".
- The prequel moves the action to New York, a city filled with noise and chaos, which proves to be a challenging environment for the characters trying to survive the auditory attack of the monsters.
- Despite being set in New York, "A Quiet Place: Day One" showcases the quiet star of the film, Sam's loyal and soundless cat.
- The film, directed by Michael Sarnoski, is a departure from the quieter and more mysterious tone of the first two parts in the "A Quiet Place" series, opting for a louder and more grandiose approach.
- John Krasinski, who directed the first two parts of "A Quiet Place", handed over the directing duties to Sarnoski for the prequel, allowing him to give a fresh perspective to the story.
- The prequel, set to release in 2024, is expected to provide fans of the horror series with a new supply of tension-filled moments and thrilling action, following the events that led to the alien invasion in the original series.
