A Quiet Place: Day One, the prequel to the post-apocalyptic series about blind aliens with superpowered hearing, premiered in theaters in June. The film follows the first day of the invasion in New York City as humanity struggles to survive. The movie stars Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn as strong leads, and while it falls into some clichés, it also explores themes of human connection in times of crisis.
Recently, a deleted scene from the movie surfaced, revealing more about Quinn’s character, Eric. In the scene, Eric opens up to Nyong’o’s character about his struggles with acceptance and loneliness as a gay man. He shares how he felt out of place in his small hometown and still felt alone in New York City, leading him to contemplate ending his life before the invasion began.
The scene adds depth to Eric’s character and sheds light on the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals seeking acceptance and belonging. Director Michael Sarnoski confirmed the intention behind Eric’s queerness and the decision not to include a romantic subplot for the leads. The scene, though well-acted and poignant, was ultimately left out of the final cut of the film.
As a gay man who can relate to Eric’s experiences of moving to a big city in search of acceptance and struggling with loneliness, the deleted scene resonates deeply. Many LGBTQ individuals from small towns dream of finding their place in urban settings, but the reality of feeling lost and alone can be overwhelming. The scene captures this sentiment effectively, offering a glimpse into the inner turmoil faced by Eric.
It’s unfortunate that the scene is tucked away in the special features of a digital copy, limiting its exposure to a wider audience. The authenticity and emotional depth it brings to Eric’s character would have added a valuable layer to the film for viewers to connect with on a personal level.
A Quiet Place: Day One is now available for streaming on digital platforms, offering audiences a glimpse into the early days of the alien invasion and the human stories intertwined within the chaos.