Nyong’o plays Samira, a terminally ill cancer patient who has finally reached the end of her tether. She hates therapy, her therapist, and her fellow patients. The only person she clings to isn’t a person at all: it’s a cat named Frodo. She reluctantly accompanies her therapist and the rest of the group to a theater in the city with the promise of pizza afterword. Those plans go out the window when a series of meteors hit the city, releasing the monstrous Death Angels on the city. The Death Angels are frightening looking beasts with long arms and claws, needle teeth, and incredible speed. They are blind but compensate with incredible hearing. A single pin drop will allow one of them to home in one you. Samira runs into another survivor named Eric (Joseph Quinn) and the two of them (along with Frodo The Cat) have to safely navigate out of a burning city before becoming dinner.
“A Quite Place: Day One” takes a bit of time getting started, but it’s entertaining and interesting to get to now Samira before all hell breaks loose. Despite her terminal diagnosis, Samira is a fighter and isn’t going softly into that goodnight. When the monsters show up, you’ve already got a vested interest in the hopeful survival of Sarina despite her diagnosis. Nyong’o is brilliant at creating sympathy for her despite Samira’s hard and bitter edges. As she develops her relationship with Eric, Samira’s compassionate side comes out as she realizes that she can’t accept death no matter what form it may take.
As for the rest of the cast, Quinn does a great job as the British law student who finds himself in way over his head. He also has a easy chemistry with Nyong’o and their scenes together, particularly in the back half of the film, are some of the most engaging in the film. Djimon Hounsou returns as Henri, the same character he plays in “A Quiet Place: Part II” and he adds a bit of authority to the proceedings. In one scene he takes some accidentally brutal measures to keep a frightened man from shouting out. The look on his face after the deed is done is a masterclass of non-verbal acting. And finally Alex Wolf does very good work as Reuben, Samira’s therapist who constantly goes to bat for her despite her angry attitude. Even during the opening stanzas of the assault, Reuben is trying to get to Samira emotionally. It’s a compelling performance.
As far as monsters go, the Death Angels are terrifying creatures. They’re fast and strong and absolutely single-minded in their ruthlessness. Since this is a PG-13 film, it’s important that the attitude and presentation of these creature makes up for the lack of gore in the film. Most of the violence takes place off screen, but the attacks are no less horrifying. It’s also a great idea for writer/director Michael Sarnoski to set “Day One” in New York City, the exact opposite of the widen open forests of the original films. The fact that people don’t know the rules right away provides for some terrifying encounters. Once the rules are established, the quiet of the succeeding scenes continues the sound design inspired tension so wonderfully presented in the other two “Quiet Place” films. Samoski has done excellent work taking the reigns from creator John Krasinski and as a result, “A Quiet Place: Day One” is a tension-filled thrill ride with a lot of heart! 4 1/2 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer! So Sayeth The Kendog!
