In the tense and suspenseful world of “A Quiet Place: Day One,” Lupita Nyong’o‘s character, Samira, has a loyal cat named Frodo who is very important to her. The movie takes place on the day that the Death Angels, dangerous aliens with very sensitive hearing, attack Earth. It is a prequel to the “Quiet Place” movies coming out in 2018 and 2021. Sam is in the middle of all this chaos while on a field trip with other hospice patients in New York City. She is very sick and will soon die. During this dangerous time, Frodo is more than just a pet; he’s a reminder of her past life and a way to stay alive. But because film technology has come so far, a very important question comes up: Is Frodo a real cat, or does CGI make him come to life?
Original “Quiet Place” producer John Krasinski and director Michael Sarnoski wrote the story together. They insisted on using a real cat instead of a CGI cat. They felt that the real cat would make the characters’ interactions and the mood of the film more real and interesting “At first, we thought about making a computer-generated cat,” Sarnoski explained. “But I wanted the real connection that only real animals can give.” Folks should feel like Frodo is there, like a real person, not just a computer-made character.
To make the movie, Nico and Schnitzel, two real cats, were used to play Frodo. The decision was taken in order to heighten the story’s emotional impact by making Frodo’s interactions with the other characters more realistic. Nico and Schnitzel, two trained tuxedo cats, played Frodo’s complex and important role..
In this movie, the choice to use a cat is also connected to the culture and environment of New York City, where street cats are common and represent the city’s strength and flexibility. Sarnoski said, “Cats are naturally quiet because they are stalking predators.” They make a lot of sense as living things that would do well in this world.
Lupita Nyong’o had a big fear of cats at first. She got over her fear, though, and became close with Nico and Schnitzel through the production. Sarnoski talked about how Nyong’o went from being scared to being comfortable enough with cats to adopt one by the end of filming with the help of exposure therapy and slow interactions. This change in real life made the relationship between Sam and Frodo in the movie feel even more real.
Using real cats was hard at times, but it added a level of realism that CGI might not have had. The natural recording of Frodo’s actions and reactions added to the immersive experience of the movie. Sarnoski’s choice shows how important real animals are in movies, especially when making a connection between characters that feels real and heartfelt.
For more updates, previews, and recaps of A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE, be sure to visit tvacute.com.