In 2018, A Quiet Place took the world by storm with a simple and understated concept. The newest installment of the franchise echoes that same concept with a much, much louder voice. For a movie about staying silent, A Quiet Place: Day One is about as thunderous and action-packed as you can get.

Remember that short-but-unforgettable sequence at the beginning of A Quiet Place 2 when the aliens first arrive to terrorize the Earth? That was barely a taste of what’s in store with this film! With a brisk runtime of just 99 minutes, Day One wastes no time in delivering a plethora of flipping cars, falling bombs, and all manner of brutal alien violence. Between the creatures and the explosions, the visual effects on display are jaw-dropping and convincingly showcase New York City as a place of widespread panic and devastation. 

With a concept that rides entirely on what you hear and don’t see, perhaps the single most impressive quality of Day One is it’s impeccable sound design. With thorough attention to detail in every moment, even the most peaceful scenes are rich with noises that build on the film’s world. Pair that with deafening explosions and stampedes of screeching aliens and you get a film where every sound has you on the edge of your seat. 

While it’s predecessors prioritized the horror aspect, Day One is really more of a Godzilla-esque action monster movie. Jump-scares are overused to the point of near desensitization (aside from one that, admittedly, had me leap out of my skin) and most of the scenes of mass violence are shot and choreographed like a flashy superhero fight. The direction from sophomore director Michael Sarnoski, who John Krasinski personally approached to helm this project after seeing his debut film Pig, in these scenes is exhilarating and fast-paced, making the film a spectacle to watch.

This is a spin-off from the previous films, so don’t expect to see any familiar faces. That said, Lupita Nyong’o is an absolute star in this film. She and Joseph Quinn do a great job, especially considering that they don’t really have a lot to work with dialogue-wise (Shhhh! Remember?). While the terror they feel is believable, they really shine in their more intimate moments, breathing warmth into what would otherwise be fairly dry characters.


All in all, A Quiet Place: Day One is a thrilling summer monster blockbuster that is sure to impress and entertain. The world’s deadliest quiet game is still fresh enough to hold up after three movies. Definitely check this one out in IMAX if you can; it’s worth it for the sound design alone! We’ll definitely be keeping an ear out for whatever this franchise comes up with next.