Several recent horror films could have benefited from Fede Alvarez's ("Evil Dead") edgy home invasion thriller, **Don’t Breathe**. Alvarez manages to build tension effectively without resorting to excessive displays. The suspense feels natural and understated. While the film follows a familiar plot—a group of thieves targeting a house—it captures a claustrophobic atmosphere with a sense of stylish cruelty and cleverness. **Don’t Breathe** may draw comparisons to David Fincher's 2002 film _Panic Room_. The premise of intruders invading someone’s home is a common source of paranoia, but **Don’t Breathe** takes this situation to a new level of horror. The violence and the fast-paced story work well with the suspenseful tone. It feels like a macabre achievement that raises the bar for contemporary horror films often characterized by predictable patterns. The setup for **Don’t Breathe** is ambitious, creating an interesting twist on the typical home robbery scenario. The film centers around three young criminals operating in the Detroit area. Rocky (Jane Levy) and her companions, Money and Alex (Daniel Zovatto and Dylan Minnette), pull off their scams thanks to Alex's connections with a security firm run by his father. Alex insists that these robberies should be discreet, avoiding attention and involving only inexpensive items. However, Rocky and Money want bigger scores to achieve their dream of moving to East Street. The film explores what it will take for all three to benefit from a large heist without facing serious consequences. The trio decides to target a blinded Iraqi war veteran (Stephen Lang), who is expected to receive a $300,000 settlement related to the wrongful death of his daughter. Stealing from a seemingly vulnerable blind man seemed like an easy task for these young criminals. However, they were mistaken about the capabilities of this troubled and disabled former soldier. The irony of the thieves trying to escape a boarded-up house while being pursued by its handicapped owner is striking. The film presents them as if they are trapped mice at the mercy of a trigger-happy ex-soldier who can clearly perceive their intrusion. It’s left to the audience to wonder whether to sympathize with the blind man protecting his home or the criminals who put themselves in this dangerous situation. **Don’t Breathe** is compelling because it relies on genuine scares and suspense, building anticipation effectively. Alvarez creates a narrative that skillfully displays the growing anxiety of what's to come. Lang portrays the blind man as patrolling every corner in the darkness with the intensity of a rabid dog, pointing his guns at any sign of movement from his trapped victims. The film uses shock value well, avoiding cheap or manufactured thrills. It has an authentic and unsettling atmosphere. Lang’s portrayal of the sightless hunter tracking his prey in his own tormented home is convincing. His inner turmoil was already fueled by personal tragedy, but the arrival of intruders unleashes even more demons within him. The young criminals are believable as frightened individuals caught in the trap of their tormentor's frustration and rage. Levy, Zovatto, and Minnette all deliver credible performances. The idea of a psychotic blind man dispensing his own warped justice on reckless young people is inventive and darkly entertaining. The unsettling aspects of darkness in **Don’t Breathe** are explored with mischievous creativity, and the atmosphere will not disappoint viewers. **Don’t Breathe** (2016) Ghost House Pictures/Screen Gems/Stage 6 Films/Good Universe 1 hr. 28 mins. Starring: Jane Levy, Stephen Lang, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto, Emma Bercovici, Franciska Torocsik Directed and Co-Written by: Fede Alvarez MPAA Rating: R Critic’s Rating: *** stars (out of 4 stars) (c) **Frank Ochieng** 2016

Source on TMDB