Review of Don't Breathe (2016) by Daniel G — 04 Aug 2017

Don't Breathe was clear to be a film to watch out for even before reviews had been published, and only a few trailers had been released - the sheer originality shown in the trailer made it clear.

Serving up a very strong young cast, including Dylan Minnette (13 reasons why) and his two friends who make their living thieving from others and the more mature Stephen Lang a blind ex-military solider, Don't Breathe excels on the acting front as much as the script, proving humorous wit at points, which felt appropriate, and very smart use of profanity which is quite the contrary for most modern horrors, as well as making you feel sympathetic for both parties at different parts of the film.

Taking used ideas and putting a modern, not yet seen twist on especially one scene where Lang's character turns off the lights forcing the young robber into dark to essentially 'see what he sees' and the way the rest of the story line unfolds is non other than very smart, extremely original and superbly executed.

Nearing the ending 30 minutes of Don't Breathe, you feel as if no more story bending can be moulded into the story line, which leaves you all the more surprised when a twist is introduced which could still be partly predicted but another twist added into the spanner works which is both extremely smart and unexpected.

However, two main parts come to mind if the option to change to film occurred.

The addition of Lang's brutal hound seemed to be weaved into the story line or either lengthen the film or for plot convenience, if not both. Whilst watching the film you fail to notice the fact, the he just appears half way through but when thinking about it after seeing it, comes to mind.

A main character, which had potential also seemed to be ejected from the film too soon leaving their character wasted, with plenty of opportunities for him to be ejected later on.

Much expected the film did not fall sort of expectations, having a modern twist on the seemingly overdone 'home invasion horror' genre, Don't Breathe adds up to be a film that isn't just called Don't Breathe but leave the audience breathless.

Final verdict - 7.7/10 or B+.