The Honeycut: ‘Don’t Breathe’ was a Frustrating Experience

The Honeycut: ‘Don’t Breathe’ was a Frustrating Experience 

A Familiar Director 

I was checked out of the horror world when “Don’t Breathe” came out. So, I’d heard of it, but never actually saw it. This week, it was my turn to pick the movie to cover on the “Midnight Terrors Podcast.” I saw “Don’t Breathe” was on Netflix and decided to look into it. With decent reviews and it being directed by Fede Alvarez (“Evil Dead (2013)” and “Alien: Romulus”), I was in. 

Did “Don’t Breathe” live up to the other films by Alvarez I enjoyed? Or does it deserve to be chained up in the basement? 

The Story

The movie follows three young burglars, Money, Rocky, and Alex. When they go to rob a military veteran, who was recently awarded a large settlement, they discover he is blind. Still, they’re going to rob him regardless. However, they make another, more shocking discovery in the blind man’s basement. The thieves must fight to escape the house with the score and their lives. 

Honey’s Cut 

I loved “Evil Dead (2013)” and dug “Alien: Romulus.” So, I was excited to check out another film by Alvarez. I wanted to like “Don’t Breathe.” There are parts of it I really do enjoy, but overall, especially near the end, this one really irritated me. 

Let’s start at the beginning. The relationship between the three burglars wasn’t explained that well, or maybe I just missed it. But I was able to infer that Money and Rocky were dating, and Alex had a thing for Rocky. What really confused me was that Rocky lived with her mom and this little girl. I was like, is that her daughter? Her little sister? My co-host, Kevin, had to explain to me that it was her sister. 

Something else is that this movie feels derivative. It reminded me a lot of “The Collector,” where a guy goes to rob a house, only to find that it belongs to a serial killer. 

Now to the biggest offender, the ending. Really the entire third act. The number of fake-out deaths and false endings infuriated me. Let me make you a list of everything that annoyed me:

• The blind man stabs Alex and strangles Rocky. I figured that was a bleak, but conclusive ending. Nope. Both are still alive. Fake-out. 
  
  

• Rocky breaks out and seems to escape. Nope. The blind guy’s dog finds her and attacks her. False ending. 
  
  

• Rocky outsmarts the dog. All is well. Nope. The blind man finds her and knocks her out, then kidnaps her again. False ending. 
  
  

• The blind man is dragging Rocky back to his house, just like in the opening scene. This has to be the ending. Nope. False ending. 
  
  

• The blind man has Rocky back at his house. She triggers the alarm system and beats him to a pulp. She escapes. For good. But I knew the blind man would live and he does, the final, and yet another twist. 
  
  

I seriously just wanted this movie to end. I’d had enough with the fake-outs and false finishes. Give me a good plot twist and I’m cool. Give me five and I’ve had more than enough. 

Honey’s Final Thought 

My biggest takeaway from “Don’t Breathe” wasn’t the shocking reveal in the blind man’s basement. It was how I don’t want to tell a story in my own writing. That can be just as beneficial as seeing stuff I do want to use. 

When used sparingly, twists and turns can be a great way to flip a story on its head and further immerse the viewer. However, when they’re used every three minutes for a cheap thrill, it takes me out of it. 

Alvarez and his team had a decent story. But it seemed like they lacked confidence in it, and had to pad it out with too many twists and turns, which took away from the film. Sometimes less is more, as they say.