🎬 Don’t Breathe (2016) – Reversal in roles: The Hunter Becomes the Hunted
Set in a decaying Detroit neighborhood, Don’t Breathe (2016) is directed by Fede Álvarez. The film follows the story of three teenagers who aspire to be criminals, and decide to rob the house of a blind war veteran. The story is about teenagers taking the wrong path in life, as they stumble across a ‘mark’ who does actually possess some valuables. The twist is, the ‘mark’ doesn’t give up easily and puts up quite the fight in the end. The film truly starts when the three sad excuses of criminal’s foregos their expectations of an easy ride and get completely turned upside down emotionally, make the environment of terror only to realize they’re the ones ‘hunted’ by no other than a creature in human skin with a far more sinister plan than the three juvenile pseudo demons mortals beg for mercy.
✨ CAST & CHARACTERS – A Closer Look
Most memorable role was played by Jane Levy who played Rocky: A determined yet desperate woman who aspires to flee her chaotic life and construct a trouble-free life for her sister. Out of the entire trio she certainly had the most commendable improvisation skills.
Next in line is Dylan Minnette as Alex: Cautious and clever, Alex is part of the trio due to his access of security systems through his father’s job. Alex is of the quieter type and develops a crush for Rocky. Finally is Daniel Zovatto as Money: Outbursts of boiling rage reserve the place of the most temperamental and arrogant member of the group. It’s is his overconfidence that blazes the trail to their demise.
Stephen Lang as Norman Nordstrom / The Blind Man: A retired blind soldier living in isolation and concealing a traumatic secret. His disability disguises his horrifying potential for violence and dominance.
📝 THE STORY – A Night of Horror
Money, along with Rocky and Alex, set out to rob the house of their target Norman Nordstrom, under the impression that the blind man would be an easy prey waiting to cash in on a huge legal settlement. It becomes clear rather quickly that Nordstrom is more than just capable of protecting himself, leading to a gruesome fight for survival when the secrets he keeps hidden are revealed—especially those in his locked basement.
As the blind man hunts the intruders through the pitcher black hallways of his home, the film transforms into a suspenseful game of hide and seek. The trio must figure out a way to outsmart their captor before they are captured in a house built to trap them.
🎭 THEMES – Beneath The Surface
Reversal of Power: In a rather inventive twist to the home invasion trope, the victim becomes the terrible aggressor.
Moral Ambiguity: The true nature of villainy is blurred, raising the question of who is truly the bad guy.
Deriving from desperation, greed, and primal instincts, every character showcases a different level of action deemed by the need to survive.
Isolation and Despair: Situated in an abandoned area, the house functions as a suffocating cage that represents both physical and emotional confinement.
🎬 PRODUCTION NOTES
- Director: Fede Álvarez
- Screenplay: Fede Álvarez, Rodo Sayagues
- Producers: Fede Álvarez, Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert
- Cinematography: Pedro Luque
- Editing: Eric L. Beason, Louise Ford, Gardner Gould
- Music Score: Roque Baños
- Screen Gems, Stage 6 Films, Ghost House Pictures
- Total Length: 88 minutes
- Language: English
- Date Released: August 26, 2016
- Film Categories: Horror, Thriller
🌍 AWARDS
The movie Don’t Breathe was critically acclaimed mostly due to the creative ways in which tension was built throughout the film along with the bone-chilling atmosphere. The performance by Stephen Lang depicting the blind man received special recognition along with the expertly crafted sound and darkness which heightened the horror aspects of the film. The movie was made on a budget of 10millionbutendedupmakingover10millionbutendedupmakingover157 million globally which solidified it as one of the best thrillers of the decade.
🧨 TYPED NOTES
This is a brutal thriller that grips the audience from start to finish. Don’t Breathe reframes the rules of home invasion thrillers by adding brutal twists and unprecedented suspense. The film serves as a reminder that not everything is what it appears to be and the greatest danger usually lurks within one’s house.