Thriller "Don't Breathe" (2016) Breathes New Life Into Home Invasion Flicks

After the success of his 2013 Evil Dead remake, Fede Alvarez is back with his second feature flick Don't Breathe. A gripping home invasion horror film, it follows three hapless thieves as they break into the house of a blind man (played by Stephen Lang) in an abandoned Detroit neighborhood. When the ex-army vet turns the tables on Rocky (Jane Levy), Alex (Dylan Minnette), and Money (Daniel Zavatto) they must find a way to escape with not just the cash but their lives.


Opinions on Don't Breathe are largely positive. Although while many of the popular movie sites are boasting rave reviews, a handful of people that I talked to about it were less than enthused. Some had a hard time connecting to our protagonists, making it difficult to really care for their safety. I personally found there to be just enough backstory to be afraid for Rocky and her unfortunate family situation. Though sympathy waxes and wanes for the trio of thieves throughout the film.

Ultimately the film is more concerned with the experience and less with the backstory. A sleek 88 minute run-time leaves us with a simple but effective thriller. The acting is good, camera work is solid, and the sound design is great. You're made to be acutely aware of every little noise, no matter how quiet or slight it may be. It definitely helps to keep you on edge.

I particularly enjoyed Stephen Lang's turn as the blind antagonist of the film. Perceived as a victim, with incredibly minimal dialogue Lang manages to capably convey the menace of this man as his true nature is revealed.

In the end, I found Don't Breathe to be a competent thriller but one that I do not necessarily want to revisit. A good exercise in form but perhaps less so in content, it feels like a mash-up of The People Under the Stairs and Panic Room. I'd have to watch it again to be sure, but I feel that while it was engaging on the first watch I'm not confident it will hold up with repeated viewings.