Don't Breathe (2016)
A group of teens break into a blind man's home thinking they'll get away with the perfect crime. They're wrong.
Details
Budget
$9,900,000
Rating
7/10 (7523 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Screen Gems, Stage 6 Films, Ghost House Pictures
About Don't Breathe
Don't Breathe, released in 2016, takes a common thriller setup and gives it a twist. The film centers on a group of young people who decide to rob the house of a blind war veteran, expecting an easy target. However, the situation quickly escalates into a fight for survival as their intended victim proves to be far more dangerous than anticipated.
The movie leans heavily into its horror and thriller genres, building tension through a combination of claustrophobic settings and the constant threat posed by the homeowner. It explores themes of desperation and survival, subverting the audience's expectations about who to root for. Critics noted the film's ability to maintain suspense and its departure from typical genre conventions, particularly in its use of sound and silence.
With an 89-minute runtime, Don't Breathe delivers a concise and intense experience. Its effectiveness lies in the reversal of roles, turning the hunters into the hunted within the confines of a single house.
Why you might be searching for Don't Breathe
People are often searching for this film due to its memorable premise: a group of thieves breaking into a blind man's house, only for the situation to turn into a terrifying cat-and-mouse game. The specific keywords and plot points, such as the 'blind man' and being 'trapped in a house,' contribute to its searchability, along with its reputation for suspense and unexpected twists.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer praised director Fede Alvarez for creating tension without excessive gore, noting that the thrills felt natural and unassuming despite a seemingly conventional premise.
Read the full reviewA reviewer highlighted that 2016 was a strong year for horror, with Don't Breathe standing out by flipping modern horror conventions, especially its use of silence for scares.
Read the full reviewThe film was described by one critic as transforming from a typical home invasion story into something more, becoming a frightening experience when the seemingly easy target turns out to be a vicious killer.
Read the full reviewConversely, one review found the film predictable and lacking in originality, suggesting it combined elements from other popular thrillers without much new creative input.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "Don't Breathe" on Netflix or Sony Pictures Core. The movie is also available to buy or rent on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home, and can be purchased on DVD or Blu-ray from retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. There are currently no free streaming options available for the film. You can also download it from Netflix to watch offline.
"Don't Breathe" is not based on a true story; it is a fictional horror-thriller film.
In "Don't Breathe," Rocky ultimately escapes the blind man, Norman Nordstrom, by using a crowbar and pushing him into his basement, then locking him in. Nordstrom survives and, at the hospital, provides a narrative of self-defense to the police, claiming two intruders were killed and omitting any mention of Cindy, the pregnant woman he held captive, or Rocky. Rocky leaves with her sister and the stolen money, having survived a traumatic ordeal that saw her accomplices and Cindy die, while Nordstrom maintains his dark secrets and avoids legal repercussions.
Critics generally agree that "Don't Breathe" is a tense and chilling addition to the home invasion genre, effectively building suspense and offering interesting plot twists. While some find the tension diminishes towards the end, many reviewers on Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes enjoyed the film's execution and the way it utilized its setting and camera work.