Opening 8 Sep 2016
Directed by:
Fede Alvarez
Writing credits:
Fede Alvarez, Rodo Sayagues
Principal actors:
Stephen Lang, Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto, Jane Graves
Not often does a horror-thriller come along this good. Three friends have an interesting pastime, and each for personal reasons. With a miserable home life, Rocky (Levy) wants out, even promising her kid sister (Emma Bercovici) she can come – Diddy deserves better. Money (Zovatto) is heading out with Rocky, but his ulterior motives center on self-indulgences. They cannot pull off their heists without Alex (Minnette), who harmlessly wants what he should not. A hot tip sends them into a devastated Detroit neighborhood and, the mark’s (Lang) dog is their biggest worry. So they think. Appearances can be deceiving.
A small cast and production team delivers a big thriller. Fede Alvarez directs, and co-wrote the cleverly crafted screenplay with Rodo Sayagues. The cast gamely responds. Cinematographer Pedro Luque’s framing and wired movements are gripping, and Eric L. Beason, Louise Ford and Gardner Gould economically edit on the haunting side of fright. Our heartbeats march along to the beat of Roque Baños’s music, accompanied by adroit sound design, and very creative end credits. Filming in Detroit saves the designers (production, art, set) some work. Be prepared to jump in your seat a few times, and whatever you do, do not let anyone tell the ending beforehand. Don't Breathe’s forte is its twists that are impossible to second guess. (Marinell Haegelin)
