By Amanda Anabeza, Courier Staff Writer
“Don’t Breathe” is the must-see thriller of 2016. Director Fede Alvarez’s newest film is an intense game of cat and mouse with twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Jane Levy stars as Rocky alongside her two companions, Alex (Dylan Minette) and Money (Daniel Zovatto). The three thieves in Detroit get by with their organized system of stealing from wealthy people. Once it comes to their attention that there is a blind veteran sitting on a major cash settlement, they jump at the intriguing opportunity. Little do they know what they are getting themselves into.
They learn that the blind man (Stephen Lang), happens to live in a rather abandoned neighborhood. The young adults, of course, make the easy mistake of underestimating the situation. They carry on with their twisted plan, with hopes to use the load of cash to move away and start a better life.
Once they enter the old man’s home they find their mission more complicated than what they set out for. The intruders awaken the veteran, who has trapped them in his abyss of a home, and now they must all fight to stay alive.
The character development with Rocky and an understanding of Alex, will make those watching have high hopes for their survival. Who will make it out? And if they do make it out, what affect will this have on them mentally?
Lang and Levy’s performances as the blind man and Rocky are exceptional and they should be recognized for their work. Lang plays the perfect blind antagonist to Rocky as his “mouse”. He makes it easy to believe that a visually impaired man can be more dangerous than a man with sight. The young actress succeeds in making the audience feel her terror.
The film will have you biting your nails, gasping in disbelief, and maybe even laughing to yourself. “Don’t Breathe” centers on the element of surprise. The old man’s unpredictable abilities and the secrets that his house holds will not fail to leave you speechless.
This movie was not at all what I was expecting. It is definitely not your average horror film and that is what makes it so thrilling to watch. “Don’t Breathe” is still out in theaters and if you have not seen it yet, I highly recommend you do. I would give it a rating of 8/10.
