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
The 2016 film "Don't Breathe" transforms a typical home invasion premise into a tense thriller. It follows a group of young thieves who target the house of a blind war veteran, expecting an easy score. However, their plan goes awry when the man reveals himself to be a formidable and dangerous adversary, turning the hunters into the hunted.
The movie, directed by Fede Álvarez, emphasizes suspense and claustrophobia within the confines of the veteran's house. It plays with the audience's perception of vulnerability and power dynamics, as the initial victims become antagonists. The narrative avoids clear-cut heroes or villains, instead exploring moral ambiguity as characters fight for survival.
"Don't Breathe" has received positive critical reception, particularly for its direction and its ability to maintain a high level of tension throughout its runtime. It is categorized as a horror and thriller film, living up to its title by frequently putting characters in situations where silence is paramount for survival. The film's keywords, such as "blind man," "held captive," and "trapped in a house," accurately reflect its core themes and setting.
Why you might be searching for Don't Breathe
People search for "Don't Breathe" because of its central premise involving a blind man who turns out to be a dangerous captor. The intense home invasion scenario and the unexpected twist on the typical victim-aggressor dynamic are memorable aspects that lead to specific queries about the plot and characters.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer suggested that many horror films could learn from Fede Álvarez's direction in "Don't Breathe," noting its effective tension without relying on excessive gore, and highlighting how it finds a fresh approach to the conventional home invasion plot.
Read the full reviewA critic praised "Don't Breathe" as a standout horror film, appreciating how director Fede Álvarez subverts modern horror clichés, particularly through its use of silence for scares and its portrayal of morally complex characters.
Read the full reviewA viewer described the film as a strong comeback for the director, noting its efficient pacing and how it quickly gets to the point of the main event, creating a thrilling and refreshing experience despite its simple, one-line premise.
Read the full reviewOne review highlighted that "Don't Breathe" evolves from a standard home invasion story into something more intense once the blind man proves to be a formidable killer, creating sustained suspense and claustrophobia akin to "A Quiet Place."
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "Don't Breathe" on Amazon Prime Video or Netflix. It is also available for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Amazon Video. Additionally, the movie can be purchased on DVD or Blu-ray.
No, "Don't Breathe" is an original story co-written by Fede Álvarez and Rodo Sayagues. Álvarez aimed for an original storyline for this film, in contrast to his previous work on "Evil Dead" (2013).
At the end of "Don't Breathe," Rocky escapes the blind man's house after a final confrontation where she disorients him, hits him with a crowbar, and pushes him into the basement, causing his gun to fire into his side. She then meets her younger sister, Diddy, at a train station. They see a news report stating that Norman, who is recovering in the hospital, killed two intruders (Alex and Money) in self-defense. The report does not mention Rocky, the pregnant woman Cindy Roberts, or the stolen money, allowing Rocky and Diddy to head to California with the cash.
"Don't Breathe" received positive reviews from critics, holding an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 7.10/10. Critics praised it as a tense and chilling addition to the home invasion genre, with Peter Travers of [Rolling Stone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Breathe_(2016_film)) calling it "some weird, twisted shit."