A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) * *

 

Directed by:  Michael Sarnoski

Starring:  Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou, Nico and Schnitzel (as Frodo the cat)

There isn't anything about A Quiet Place: Day One which differs from the previous two films.  Despite it being a prequel, it is the same recycled concept of aliens attracted to sound and the poor humans scuttling around shushing each other and trying to remain very, very quiet.  (I think of Elmer Fudd when writing that).  The slightest noise will result in the aliens pouncing on the person or object making it, except for when the plot doesn't require it. 

This A Quiet Place outing stars Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o as Sam, a terminally ill cancer patient who leaves her hospice for a field trip to New York City.  Unfortunately, it occurs on the same day aliens invade the planet and ruin everyone's day for quite some time.  Sam, along with her service cat Frodo, manages to survive the initial onslaught and survives by her wits and the gradual understanding that these aliens are blind and attracted to sound.  These aliens traveled likely light years to get to Earth and aren't even fully equipped to carry out their plans of mass eradication of humans. 

Sam discovers that the aliens won't hear you when it's raining or whether you're hiding under a fountain or waterfall, although the noise the fountain makes while running should surely attract these predators.  Oh yes, I forgot they're afraid of water too.   I suppose whomever was supposed to perform recon on Earth for the aliens forgot to mention that it's made up of seventy percent water.  Sam soon stumbles across the terrified Eric (Quinn), a suit-wearing law student who won't be learning litigation anytime in the near future.   They bond and work to make it to the dock where a boat floats in the middle of the harbor gathering survivors.  

A Quiet Place contains numerous scenes in the dark and with little dialogue.  The actors do what they can with the material, but this a movie where aliens are lurking around every corner and things are blown up.  Frodo, however, is adorable, sturdy, and unflappable in the midst of chaos.  A Quiet Place: Day One is the first movie I've seen with a service cat, and hopefully not the last.