REVIEW: Don’t Breathe – Brutal, Vicious and Great

Thefanboyseo.com delivers our review for the film Don’t Breathe starring Stephen Lang, Jane Levy and Dylan Minnette. Directed by Fede Alvarez. Opens August 31 from Columbia Pictures Philippines.

Synopsis:

A group of friends break into the house of a wealthy blind man, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect heist. They’re very wrong.

Pros

I love a good suspense movie when its masterfully done and it doesn’t get any better than Don’t Breathe. The concept is fresh and subverts the classic “home invasion” sub-genre of suspense/ horror to one that will engage the audience.

The movie is set in gloomy Detroit where a trio of young burglars wind up looking to score from a blind old man who just so happens to look like Cable from Marvel Comics.

Since we’re on the subject of Stephen Lang, the man is outstanding in this. A man of few words and physically imposing. His character is both damaged and scary and coupled with the man’s acting prowess makes for a seriously scary character I haven’t seen for quite sometime. The man is the shark from “Jaws” in his home.

Jane Levy as Rocket was so-so when we start the film. My opinions slightly change towards second act. She gets credits on my book for being able to deliver some of the more intense scenes in the movie.

Props to the musical scoring for the film and for that wonderful set. How they did the cinematography for “Don’t Breathe” is definitely worth noting. It’s also a scary reminder that a disability can become something of a gift in some situations.

Cons

Two major problems for the film. One thematical and another is in a particular scene.

I’ve got a problem with how these hooligans are made to look like good guys when clearly they’re not. Its the framing that makes them look like good guys but they’re clearly the bad guys. I get the point though. Its just a hard pill to swallow. What did the guy to them in the first place? Plus they were led into this heist by a grade A asshole.

Still, for the sake of cinematic suspense, lets ride that train of disbelief.

Without spoiling anything, there’s a reference to rape here. It could bother you more than you should so be careful when threading into that scene. It’s one of the more horrific moments in a movie where a blind man is the apex predator.

Verdict:

8.5/10

We’re giving our stamp of approval for Don’t Breathe. It’s a must watch, its got a good balance of suspense and drama and it’ll keep you at the edge of your seat.