The Mosley Review: A Quiet Place: Day One
Ya know, most franchises would complete their trilogy first and let the fourth entry be the origin story. I can't say I wasn't disappointed when this film was announced because I loved the isolated nature of the first 2 films. Given how the second film expanded the number of survivors and the lore, I guess it was appropriate for this film to go back to the beginning of it all. What this film did surprisingly well was making the vast landscape of New York City feel so small and terrifying. There are more thrilling set pieces of destruction, but it is out weighed by the sheer terror of silence and the omnipresent threat of the creatures. What I truly loved is that it stayed true to the franchise by focusing on the lives of the humans and their own personal struggles. The heart of this film isn't about surviving the invasion, but the importance of enjoying the little things in life and each other in darkest of times.
Lupita Nyong'o is always a welcomed presence on screen and she delivers yet another layered performance as Samira. To see her character go from being mean and wanting to give up to actually striving for something, gave the character a second life and it was an emotional turn that shocked me by the end. Alex Wolff was great and charming as her hospice caretaker, Reuben. There was a fun chemistry between them that was immediate from the moment you meet them. Djimon Honsou reprises his role from the second film in this prequel as Henri. I loved that we got even more backstory on him and the trials he had to go through to save his family. Joseph Quinn gives a fantastic performance as Eric and he steals your heart from the moment he gets to talk to Samira. This man truly knows how to sale terror in his eyes and throughout his entire body. The bond that is forged between him and Samira during the invasion, was so natural and I loved how they looked out for each other. He has a fear that myself and many can relate too and it was amazing to see him fight to overcome it in the most tense scene of the film.
The score by Alexis Grapsas was wonderfully emotional and intense throughout the film and didn't overtake the sound design of the film. The sound design has always been the hallmark of these films as the slightest squeak of a chair or heavy breath would ring the death bell. Everything is turned up to eleven and it was so immersive as you would wince each time the characters would make a noise. The best and most terrifying scene in my opinion was in the subway tunnel. The amount of echoes and heavy thuds of the creatures coming down the metal steps was chef's kiss. This was definitely another great installment to the franchise and a well crafted prequel that doesn't tarnish the already built in legacy of the first 2 films. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
