A Quiet Place: Day One review: Lupita Nyong’o shines in third instalment of horror monster franchise

Depicting a family fighting to survive in a world ravaged by blind, killer aliens, its core hook – that they can only detect prey by sound – made for delectable thrills at the hands of director and star John Krasinski. It meant a willing audience awaited its sequel in 2020.

In this third instalment, Krasinski co-writes with director Michael Sarnoski, taking us back to the monsters’ arrival in Manhattan and the rampage that would draw a terrified hush over the planet.

The incident is witnessed through the eyes of Sam (Lupita Nyong’o), a terminally ill poet struggling to care about much other than her beloved cat and a pizza joint she’s determined to dine in one last time. That is until alien carnage befalls the city.

We know the drill at this stage – tippy-toes until someone sets off a noise and everyone runs for their life. These are the least interesting parts of this prequel. Instead, it is the excellent Nyong’o, establishing herself with depth and poise in a fine prologue, where the real substance lies.

Three stars