What is a Don’t Breathe Thriller Movie?
Don’t Breathe is an American horror-thriller movie released in 2016. It was directed by Fede Alvarez and written by Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues. The movie stars Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto, and Stephen Lang, and follows three burglars who break into the home of a wealthy blindman in search of a fortune. Hijinks ensue as they realize the blind man is much more dangerous than he seemed.
Don’t Breathe took the horror movie industry by storm, grossing over $157 million worldwide on a budget of only $10 million. The movie received generally positive reviews from critics, with most praising the direction, performances, and tight script.
The Impact on Home Invasion Thriller Movies
Don’t Breathe’s success was both an affirmation of the home invasion thriller movie genre and an inspiration for filmmakers and creative minds alike. This one movie embraced all aspects of anxiety-inducing and nail-biting horror and suspense, leading some to declare that it’s the best of the genre.
Thanks to this film, a lot of people are drawn to the genre, with some claiming that they might even watch less thrillers and more home invasion movies. This can easily be attributed to the film’s stunning and fast-paced sequence of events, coupled with a crafty twist, cool soundtrack, and graphically shadowy depiction of the human psyche, among other elements.
Analysis of the Plot and Characters
Within this home invasion thriller genre, the most important element is the plot and storyline. The plot of Don’t Breathe is an intense roller coaster ride of emotions, as three young robbers break into a house to steal a fortune, only to find out that the owner—the famous “Blind Man”—is a far more threatening, sinister figure than they had expected.
Don’t Breathe succeeds in creating a suspenseful atmosphere, as it places its characters in frighteningly believable situations. Through the use of claustrophobic, dark, and atmospheric sets, the movie magnifies a natural feeling of dread and desperation. Moreover, the characters have a certain credibility: though they are young and naive robbers, they still feel like real people—flawed and vulnerable–and we root for them.
A Study of the Don’t Breathe Director’s Dialogue and Direction
The dialogue in Don’t Breathe is outstanding. It’s simple, direct, and intense. There are plenty of scenes showcasing long, silent moments and intense staring, as the climax to this psychological thriller builds up and tension increases.
The director, Fede Alvarez, leverages sound and camera angles expertly to create tension, as well as to draw attention to the various aspects of the plot. Alvarez focuses on depicting psychological horror and suggestion, the natural horror of human suffering, and the notion of what is right and wrong.
Alvarez’s direction enables viewers to feel just as confined and helpless as the movie’s protagonists. This makes the story much more intense and enjoyable, as it shows us the wrongside of human nature and the lengths people can go to when faced with desperate situations.
Character Conflict and Suspenseful Resolution
Don’t Breathe makes use of several techniques to build suspense and tension. It’s not just a story of robbers facing a mysterious and threatening figure, but also a story of characters experiencing physical and psychological conflict. This conflict provides plenty of opportunities for unpredictable plot developments and unexpected twists.
The climax of Don’t Breathe is both suspenseful and shocking, and it’s not without its share of violence. Alvarez never shies away from poking at our fears and covering those fears in a thick film of dread. This is another key ingredient that makes this movie so successful: the intense feeling of being completely powerless to the characters’ machinations and events.
Brutal Realism and Minute-by-Minute Tension
Don’t Breathe was successful in combining intense psychological thriller with an old-school horror movie formula, thereby achieving a level of brutal realism and suspenseful tension. The movie immerses viewers in the waiting game atmosphere, creating a feeling of anticipation.
At each moment, we feel as if a horror is about to happen. We see tension in every scene, and even in the moments of peace and quiet, Don’t Breathe manages to keep the audience on their toes and disrupt any sense of comfort. By saving the twist and main revelation for the end, the movie provides us with a thrilling and exciting ride.
Horrific Monsters Cognition
Don’t Breathe also got people talking about the ways horror movies can employ monster cognition. The Blind Man is a character that we understand, but find despicable. We know why he is the way he is, and yet we can’t help but feel revulsion towards him. He is both a figure of sympathy and vengeance.
The Blind Man is never portrayed as a caricature of a villain. He is instead presented as an average person pushed to do unimaginable things in the face of desperation, and this is why he is so frightening. He becomes a representation of our own struggles and inner turmoil, highlighting the horror of the things humans do when pushed to their limit.
Exploring the Horror of Human Suffering
The movie also explores the horror of human suffering, as exemplified by the Blind Man’s history. At some point, the movie takes us through a series of flashbacks that take us back to the Blind Man’s childhood, before the tragic events that changed his life.
The flashbacks are one of the most powerful elements in Don’t Breathe, as they allow us to both sympathize with and despise the Blind Man. It is heartbreaking to witness his struggles and his traumatic experience, but at the same time, it’s terrifying to see how far he’s willing to go in order to protect what he has.
Approaching the Thriller Movie Genre
Thanks to Don’t Breathe, filmmakers and creators have been inspired to push the boundaries of the home invasion thriller genre. By mixing psychological horror and old school horror, the movie lets us explore the dark corners of our own mind. If its response is anything to go by, it won’t be too long before filmmakers delve a little deeper into the genre and produce similarly entertaining movies.
Exploring the Moral Dilemma of the Movie
The Blind Man’s story is a great example of the moral dilemma posed by today’s reality. Don’t Breathe raises these questions using art and subtle horror, urging us to make a judgement on our own. We can draw our own conclusions regarding the morality of the movie and ponder if justice has been served in the end.
Just like other home invasion thriller movies, Don’t Breathe is filled with moral ambiguities and it succeeds in presenting its message in a captivating yet thoughtful way. The twists and turns throughout the movie set up an intense yet focused suspense that gives viewers pause for thought. It makes them consider deeper questions regarding the nature of evil and our own humanity.
Exploring Moral Bankruptcy
Don’t Breathe also takes us to an unexpected journey, where morality is blurry and human decency is nonexistent. It introduces us to extreme characters and situations, where the lines between good and evil are completely gone.
In this regard, Don’t Breathe does its best to expose our own moral bankruptcy and vulnerabilities, showing just how far average people can go in order to protect what’s theirs. The movie captures the desperation of the characters and the terror that comes with it.
Conclusion of the Don’t Breathe Thriller
Don’t Breathe manages to surprise us at every corner, and it is sure to the leave the audience discussing it for weeks to come. With its crescendo of tension, dread, and horror, Don’t Breathe is a thrilling and thought-provoking movie, raising questions about morality, justice and redemption. From the director’s direction to the emotional triggers, this movie has earned itself a permanent spot in the thriller movie hall of fame.
