As a cancer survivor myself, I found the character of Sam in “A Quiet Place: Day One” incredibly inspiring. Her portrayal challenges the stereotypes often seen in movies, where characters with cancer are relegated to tear-jerking dramas or passive roles. Instead, Sam is a hero, battling not just aliens but also her own illness.
As a gamer, I often find myself drawn to post-apocalyptic stories with rugged male leads, like Kevin Costner in Waterworld or Chris Evans on Snowpiercer. But what if the protagonist was an ordinary woman, battling health issues even before the apocalypse? That’s exactly who we see in A Quiet Place: Day One, played brilliantly by Lupita Nyong’o. Watching this movie made me realize how refreshing and important it is for an apocalyptic horror film to center its story around a cancer survivor.
It’s Refreshing To See A Cancer Patient As A Hero In A Post-Apocalyptic World
In many films featuring characters battling cancer, their illness often becomes a defining aspect of their personality, such as in “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” and “50/50.” However, in the case of Sam from “A Quiet Place: Day One,” she is a main character who has terminal cancer, yet instead of using her condition as an immediate excuse to surrender to the aliens, she does so only after satisfying her craving for her favorite pizza.
In the midst of an alien invasion in New York City that’s faster than sound, her health issues are momentarily forgotten as she focuses on staying alive. Though she battles constant pain throughout the film, she is not depicted as weak. Similar to Sam battling cancer, she will do whatever necessary to safeguard herself and her new companion, Eric, so they can visit Harlem, her hometown, one final time.
Sam Is A Relatable Character, Too
Approximately two million individuals are expected to receive a cancer diagnosis this year, as stated by the National Cancer Institute. This implies that a significant number of these cancer patients might have watched or could watch the movie “A Quiet Place: Day One”. Among them, many may identify with Sam, a terminally ill poet who has been battling cancer for the past two years and currently resides in a hospice center. However, she harbors resentment towards her current situation and longs to spend her remaining days in her beloved hometown of Harlem, where she could find happiness.
Cancer patients may find the scene resonating as Eric listens to Sam’s poem, which portrays life as a timepiece counting down relentlessly. Lupita Nyong’o found filming the science-horror movie healing after the demise of her “Black Panther” co-star, Chadwick Boseman, from cancer in 2020. She expressed that his untimely death at 43 made her understand the importance of living purposefully once we acknowledge our mortality.
It’s Also An Intense Plot Technique That Raises The Movie’s Stakes
In the heart of New York City, I find myself, much like Sam, relying on fentanyl patches to manage my chronic pain. But when the unexpected alien invasion occurs, these patches on my body start deteriorating, leaving me with no choice but to discard them. This ordeal isn’t just about outrunning the hostile aliens; it’s also a struggle within myself as I grapple with the potential side effects of my condition threatening my ability to defend against the extraterrestrial threat. It’s hard not to feel concerned for Sam, fearing that her terminal illness might leave her vulnerable in this alien attack.
The imminent danger posed by hostile extraterrestrials endangering human life significantly intensifies the importance of every moment for Sam on Earth. Now, every unexpected noise might signal their final moments together, making every second shared with Eric even more valuable.
It Challenges The Stereotypes Of On-Screen Cancer Portrayal
In exceptional horror and action films, it’s uncommon to find protagonists who are heroes battling cancer. Instead, such characters tend to be featured prominently in emotional dramas where the story primarily focuses on their fight against cancer.
In this scenario, Sam realizes that there’s more than just her declining health happening in the world, so she decides to concentrate on coping with an alien invasion without letting cancer interfere. Instead of a movie where Sam is portrayed as suffering, we witness Sam and Eric navigating through a perilous New York City infested with aliens. Rather than being in distress herself, Sam becomes a source of strength for Eric, helping him stay composed and ensuring his safety before her own.
There’s An Empowering Message Of Sam’s Heroism
Sam might have allowed cancer to determine her ability to endure an extraterrestrial catastrophe, but she chose instead to let the resilience of her human spirit prevail. Witnessing this character from the upcoming prequel of “ The Quiet Place ” battling both cancer and aliens at the same time, viewers can’t help but feel motivated and uplifted, realizing that even in a vulnerable state, one can confront life’s challenges bravely.
Despite any physical pain that Sam was feeling throughout the movie, she still found the energy to do what needed to be done to save her and Eric without any excuses. She was able to escape aliens through the tunnels with him and created a distraction so that Eric could go on the boat with the other survivors. Doing all of this while battling cancer shows that bravery comes in many forms. We don’t always need to be physically tough beings to survive catastrophic situations. It’s about persistence and doing what feels right to you.
Day One Has An Important Lesson To Cherish The Little Things
Despite Sam’s life being priceless due to her battle with terminal cancer and the uncertainty of her remaining time, the looming threat of an alien force aiming to eradicate humanity serves as a reminder to appreciate small joys. Before the aliens arrived, Sam yearned for pizza from her beloved pizzeria in Harlem. Once the aliens descended, she understood that she needed to enjoy that pizza while she still could, knowing it might not be possible in the future.
In their current situation where any sound could alert the aliens, Sam and Eric find themselves cherishing what they’ve lost. They can no longer enjoy the melodies of Sam’s piano or the hum of music, and their conversations are limited to underwater chats or whispers. However, this unexpected predicament allows them to strengthen their bond without technology interfering. Eric brings joy back into Sam’s life by treating her to pizza and entertaining her at a Harlem jazz club. Even small gestures can bring immense happiness.
The unique appeal of the protagonist in “A Quiet Place: Day One” isn’t solely due to her having cancer; rather, it’s her indomitable will and resilience that shine through despite her numerous health struggles. She demonstrates an impressive ability to outwit formidable aliens, serving as a beacon of hope for viewers who can identify with her struggle against both external adversities and internal battles. This inspiring character is ready to conquer extraterrestrial threats in the prequel film, now available for viewing with your Paramount+ subscription.
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2024-09-21 03:07