Don’t Breathe Review
Five years ago director Fede Alvarez delivered us what has been stated to be one of the best horrors made in decades in 2013’s Evil Dead, but it wasn’t until the release of his latest original thriller in the amazing feature titled Don’t Breathe, led by a small incredible cast involving Stephen Lang, Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, & Daniel Zovatto, that I began to take notice of just how unique of an artist he is in full. Not just to the horror genre itself, but as a filmmaker in general.
The story centers around three detroit friends in Rocky, Alex, & Money. Geared with a plan of finally leaving their hometown, the trio get word of a blind veteran who after suffering from a tragic loss, is later rewarded with a major cash settlement of $300,000. After entering an abandoned neighborhood, the young intruders decide to invade the man’s home, coming across a shocking discovery that in the end, changes the course of their lives forever.
The home invasion genre has bought forth some of the most highly favored films amongst the horror masses to date. From Strangers (2008), Hush (2016), & Intruders (2015). All amazingly written titles, that have now become what many would say are a clear roadmap for other filmmakers stepping into the world of horror. Adding in something both fresh & exciting. Along with giving us moviegoers a bit of a clearer insight & experience into just how chilling & real life can be at heart. In the movie Don’t Breathe, one of the deep hidden messages director Alvarez greatly reveals throughout this feature is simply the idea that none of us are in essence are born evil. Each of us at times maybe tested daily by the conflicts we face, but in all it is strictly the choices we make out of those dark moments that can truly determine who we are at our core. This exact dilemma is something we see unravel within the rivalry between our heroine Rocky (Jane Levy), and veteran antagonist Norman Nordstrom(Stephen Lang). Two strangers fighting for a different means of survival. In an attempt to achieve redemption for past mistakes.
Now from an immediate first glance, it is easy for one to assume Nordstrom as the main villain, but learning of his background, & understanding his trauma, allows one as a viewer the chance of resonating with his mindset rather than challenging it. Losing his daughter in a tragic accident after retiring as a war soldier, is something not many can truly comprehend. It is a gut-wrenching experience that can break any of us, & in this film we see these lasting effects take a toll on Nordstrom scene by scene. Revealing by the end, the monster Nordstrom is forced to become tackling on a war against Rocky & her friends in protection of the lasting memories he holds of his family.
Taking on the challenge, rocky who’s already in battle with her own family is desperate in hopes of giving her younger sister the best she can. Escaping a life full of poverty & abuse. These two characters underneath it all, do indeed share similarities to each other in taking on the heavy burden in just what it means to be a parent at its center. It is these exact times that completely reshape who we are inside. The actions shown in this movie, clearly gives us a newly added layer showing us how both Rocky & Nordstrom evidently transcend into the other’s worst nightmare. While also in turn, rising as the hero of their own story by the end.
Don’t Breathe acts as a modern classic to the horror genre simply based off the fact that it attempts in being just something outright original. Giving us horror fans a new overall look at the grueling outcome trauma can have on a human being. A definite pleaser to many, & rivals even the legend John Carpenter’s Halloween 1978. Why? Simply because in resemblance both titles are not as complex or too far-fetched to believe. Yes, there are fun moments, but altogether it stays in a base of reality more than anything else. Which makes watching this film all the more worthwhile. Out of all the work director Fede Alvarez has done, this one easily stands on top as one of his best!
GRADE: A
DISCLAIMER:
NONE OF THE IMAGES USED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE OWNED BY WRITER OR WEBSITE!