A Quiet Place: Day One will without question dominate this weekend at the box-office. The film isn’t facing much in the way of stiff competition. Infact, one could make the argument that its tough competition is a couple of titles which were DOA on opening night Paramount truly capitalized on it’s built in audience and a couple of really well-cut trailers as well. However, this title is more a bait and switch than anything. Audiences will come for those alien sequences and leave with a human interest thrusted upon them. That’s not to say the film is somehow terrible, quite the contrary. A Quiet Place: Day One is just one big shoulder shrug. Doesn’t do enough to blow one away and doesn’t do so little that audiences will feel cheated after seeing it.
A Quiet Place: Day One attempts a pivot from the 1st two films. The film is no longer largely focused on these invaders from parts unknown and how they’ve altered our world. Now, they are attempting to dive deeper into the stories of each person impacted by these events. Writer and director Michael Sarnoski shines the spotlight on Eric (Joseph Quinn) and Samira (Lupita Nyong’o) as they thrusted into this doomsday scenario. Eric is a law student studying abroad and Samira is a cancer patient who is hospice. Sarnoski attempts to dive deeper into each of their backgrounds and how it informs their ability to process what is most likely the end of life as they know it. Of course, Samira is going to handle things a bit differently because her time is limited, regardless. I feel the film missteps is when they just keep the spotlight on these two. Sarnoski does attempt to introduce others into the dynamics of the narrative, but they become background players just as these invaders have. By broadening the scope of the story, it allows the audience to develop some semblance of a buy in. I didn’t really care whether these two made it out or not. My emotional investment in these characters began and ended with me wondering if Samira’s service cat (no, that isn’t a typo) was going to make it to the end of the movie. Even that turned into indifference. If you see the movie, go see it in Dolby. At least that will enhance the opening sequence in the film. Beyond that, I wouldn’t stress about whether or not you see this in the theater.
Dewey Singleton has been reviewing new releases in television and film for many years. Dewey's reviews have been heard in multiple markets (Houston Atlanta, Tampa). Dewey's past work has been with awardswatch.com, awardsradar.com, and bleeding cool. Dewey is a proud member of the CCA.