Fede Alvarez directed the 2013 remake of THE EVIL DEAD. Not everybody liked that film because it wasn't campy and funny like the Bruce Campbell films and that's a fair and valid argument. I enjoyed the remake very much due to the sheer level of intensity, violence, and gore. I also looked at the film as a representation of what Sam Raimi originally intended the 1981 film to be: "the most terrifying film you'll ever experience." In other words, a serious horror film. Some people said "Okay, I'm on-board" while others said "Nope." I loved it and Fede Alvarez jumped on my horror radar in a big way. So needless to say I was already on-board with whatever horror film Alvarez would do next.
DON'T BREATHE works the suspense and horror in a completely different way from The Evil Dead. Instead of being outrageously violent and over-the-top with gore, this film is very low key by comparison. The action is contained primarily in a single house, not unlike Evil Dead, but this time it's human against human. There are no geysers of blood but instead a minimal amount, only enough for realism. Real world violence. Real world terror. I personally like my horror with a touch or more of the supernatural, but Don't Breathe functions beautifully on its own without anything fantastic.
I really enjoyed Don't Breathe. One of the best horror films of 2016.
THE PLOT
A trio of young burglars learn of a blind man with a stash of a half-million dollars in his house. One night the trio invade his home while he's asleep to rob him. Once inside they realize not all is what it seems. The house has been reinforced with window bars and locks, not to keep others out, but to keep someone in. The blind man wakes. He hears one of them, the other two trying their best to stay quiet. The blind man kills one of them demonstrating that he's not as helpless as they thought. Now the other two burglars have to figure out a way to escape the house while remaining completely silent. How long can they avoid being heard?
WHAT I LIKED
Real Suspense. Avid criticisms of horror films stem from the perceived cheapness of "jump scares." Don't Breathe answers those criticisms by generating real suspense and terror without things popping out at you from off screen. The premise too immediately sets you on edge and when the main three characters enter the blind man's house, that tension doubles. The instant the blind man walks into the room your heart starts pounding. And the moment the blind man kills the first burglar the suspense grows tenfold. All of the tension is generated organically meaning you see it coming and you feel the terror mount within the main characters.
Execution. The film sets up the scares expertly. The raising of the stakes and mounting action are believable and flow naturally. These are the qualities of the best of horror cinema. The film gives you a little taste of suspense at first. Then it gives you a little more. And more. Until your heart is racing from the thrills on screen. Very few horror films have the scares build and build as well as this film. It's a testament to the writing of this film, the cinematography, the scene construction, and the direction. And the actors do a very good job at enhancing the reality of it all.
NITPICKS
The Turkey Baster. Often in horror movies everyday household objects become implements of dread. In this case it's the turkey baster. Beware the turkey baster! The moment this thing comes out (pun intended) you either shiver with fright or laugh. For me I shivered. But when a friend told me he laughed I took a second look and I found it a little humorous too. So depending on how into the movie you are, this moment could make or break it for you. There's also a moment where one of the characters seemingly gets away but then stops to rest and totally gets caught. It's a moment where you want to scream at the character on screen for being stupid. Other than that this movie is pretty solid.
THE VERDICT
Don't Breathe is an excellent horror thriller, one of the best of 2016. Director Fede Alvarez scores another win alongside his 2013 Evil Dead remake. Don't Breathe is a well written and well executed film on all fronts. It's a very real horror film with great suspense and an incredible build up of the tension. Don't Breathe is a lesson in great horror.
FAN FEDE
With both of Alvarez's horror films being very different ends of the spectrum, and both very well done in my opinion, the director has shown he's not a one trick pony. These two films of his show the breadth of what he's capable of delivering in terms of horror. I was a fan of Fede Alvarez before based solely on how much I enjoyed Evil Dead and now I may be a lifer. Whatever he comes out with next consider me there.
Overall Ranking: 7 out of 10
Nude-O-Meter: 0 out of 10
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