Written by: Kevin Berge
I won't even patronize you by assuming you don't know who of this trio dies first. (Image Courtesy of: wired.com)
Quick Take: Don't Breathe has a simple premise and dives in with conventional thrills, but it wholly sells the horror from start to finish. This movie barely lets up until its conclusion with strong performances from the leads.
***This is a review of a film released in 2016 which means the reader is not expected to have seen the movie yet. Therefore, there will be no spoilers during the course of this review beyond basic synopsis elements.***
I'll be the first to admit I'm not much of a horror fan. The concept of watching a film to be scared has never interested me. I'm also a bit of a coward who jumps easily at things. I can stand for thrillers though if they are done right.
Don't Breathe certainly edges on horror though stays mostly in the thriller lane with many of its clear influences also thrillers. This is certainly a scary movie at times, but it never relies on those scares to deliver a heart-pounding experience.
Three small-time robbers Rocky (Jane Levy), Alex (Dylan Minnette), and Money (Daniel Zovatto) take on their biggest score yet, invading the house of a blind army veteran (Stephen Lang) only to find the man is far more dangerous than they could have imagined.
This is a pulse-pounding film in the best way, pushing the audience through every second. There is no downtime, and it is easy to look track of your own breathing as the movie progresses further down the rabbit hole.
The setting is used to fantastic effect, a running maze that wraps around in ways you would never expect. The brutality comes fast and furious with every moment promising death at the slightest misstep.
I'll be the first to admit I'm not much of a horror fan. The concept of watching a film to be scared has never interested me. I'm also a bit of a coward who jumps easily at things. I can stand for thrillers though if they are done right.
Don't Breathe certainly edges on horror though stays mostly in the thriller lane with many of its clear influences also thrillers. This is certainly a scary movie at times, but it never relies on those scares to deliver a heart-pounding experience.
Three small-time robbers Rocky (Jane Levy), Alex (Dylan Minnette), and Money (Daniel Zovatto) take on their biggest score yet, invading the house of a blind army veteran (Stephen Lang) only to find the man is far more dangerous than they could have imagined.
This is a pulse-pounding film in the best way, pushing the audience through every second. There is no downtime, and it is easy to look track of your own breathing as the movie progresses further down the rabbit hole.
The setting is used to fantastic effect, a running maze that wraps around in ways you would never expect. The brutality comes fast and furious with every moment promising death at the slightest misstep.
How would anyone look at this guy and not immediately think "never mess with that guy"? (Image Courtesy of: popsugar.com)
Unfortunately, this film does not quite deliver on setting up its characters or developing them through the course of the story. Most everyone in this movie is just defined by a few minutes of exposition then are thrust into the violence.
While Rocky may not be the most complex of characters, Jane Levy (Evil Dead) is the star of this movie in every way with a whole host of emotions she must handle. Dylan Minnette (Goosebumps) is also solid throughout in selling his pain.
Stephen Lang (Gods and Generals) plays a perfect monster throughout though mostly does physical acting rather than verbal. He is frightening exactly as he needs to be, creating a character worth revisiting.
Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead) brings old school feeling to a new school thriller with lingering shots intermixed with fast moving long shots. This is a good looking film despite its frequent darkness, always partially in color.
Still, the editing of that direction feels somewhat inconsistent with oddly cut shots that go from lingering to sudden action. It is not perfect, but the movie does enough to keep the feeling pushing without ever resorting to new school horror tricks.
Don't Breathe is an engaging ride, one that only ramps up and never lets go. It pulls the viewer in and causes them to only look away in their own horror and discomfort. Still, it does not sit as well as it feels, not quite elevating itself beyond a fun one-time watch.
While Rocky may not be the most complex of characters, Jane Levy (Evil Dead) is the star of this movie in every way with a whole host of emotions she must handle. Dylan Minnette (Goosebumps) is also solid throughout in selling his pain.
Stephen Lang (Gods and Generals) plays a perfect monster throughout though mostly does physical acting rather than verbal. He is frightening exactly as he needs to be, creating a character worth revisiting.
Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead) brings old school feeling to a new school thriller with lingering shots intermixed with fast moving long shots. This is a good looking film despite its frequent darkness, always partially in color.
Still, the editing of that direction feels somewhat inconsistent with oddly cut shots that go from lingering to sudden action. It is not perfect, but the movie does enough to keep the feeling pushing without ever resorting to new school horror tricks.
Don't Breathe is an engaging ride, one that only ramps up and never lets go. It pulls the viewer in and causes them to only look away in their own horror and discomfort. Still, it does not sit as well as it feels, not quite elevating itself beyond a fun one-time watch.