Review of Don't Breathe (2016) by Compi24 — 25 Aug 2016

In a year chock full of almost-perfects and nearly-immaculates, not only is it surprising to me that the year's best film (so far, in my opinion) is sitting pretty within one of the cinematic calendar's most unassuming months, but that's it's also a film that dwells inside one of my least favorite genres - horror. This isn't just your average horror movie, though. No, no. In fact, in many ways it falls short of the simple identifiers that help sell modern horror pictures in general. Supernatural elements? Nope. Found footage element? Not even. Jump scares galore? Think again. This is an inventive, accessible, painful, stick-to-your-ribs horror film that hearkens back to - yes, I know, but bear with me here - other twisted, psychologically-fuelled horror classics like "Psycho" and "The Silence Of The Lambs," and it is without a doubt one of the most entertaining times I've had at the theater in recent memory. This is a film that has not only seen every horror movie known to man, but is well aware of the fact that you have too. "Don't Breathe" takes a look at all the expectations, cliches, and tropes that we've gleaned from these horror films, spits on them, cusses at them, and flips the table on them. There is nearly nothing predictable about "Don't Breathe." And THAT is where the true horror comes in.

There's a certain point within the film (I'd say right around the twenty-minute mark) where you as a viewer are forced to take a step back and realize that you have absolutely no idea where this story is headed and that you are utterly powerless in the journey that is about to ensue. And that helplessness, that lack of certainty in what's about to happen; THAT's what makes this movie scary. Sure, the lead performance from Stephen Lang is truly menacing and a career best. Indeed, the set design and makeup effects evoke nausea and other forms of discomfort. Of course the darkness of the story at hand (both real and metaphorical) is spooky to think about. But I say again - knowing that director Fede Alvarez is deliberately misdirecting you at every turn? THAT's horrifying. I surrendered to "Don't Breathe" and, as a result, I was able to enjoy what has quite easily become my favorite modern horror film to date.

In contrast to this film's title, I'd advise you guys to - y'know - always breathe. But what you should definitely NOT DO is miss this film. It is well worth your time.