Like most horror movie junkies, every time that I see a new “scary movie” is coming out, I simply have to see it. However, I typically end up disappointed and feeling as if I wasted the 9 dollars and fifty cents it cost for me to get into the movie. I had a very different experience when I went to the movies this past Sunday.
After seeing countless previews and raving reviews for the movie “Don’t Breathe,” I figured it was time I checked it out. The movie is about a group of misfit teens who rob houses as a pastime in hopes to escape their ill-fated at home situations. After hitting multiple houses with no huge successes, they soon discover an easy target: a blind war veteran who lives alone in an abandoned neighborhood sitting on a bucket-load of cash. After his daughter was killed in a tragic accident, the blind old man was paid off by the rich perpetrators. The job seems easy enough to do so they decide to make this their last burglary in hopes to move to California and put this life behind them.
The group manages to break into the home while the man is sleeping after knocking out the vet’s vicious dog. However, the film quickly takes a turn for the worse when the group’s fearless leader, Money, decides to bring a gun to the house. After much debate, Money fires the gun to open up a locked door which he believes the money could be behind. The blind man awakes and then the movie truly kicks it into high gear.
Before you know it, Money is dead and the others are fighting for their lives and debating whether or not to call the police and risk their own jailing. The constant debate is whether or not the blood money is worth it. With plot twists, kidnapping, pitch black scenes, attempted rape, and gruesome killings, “Don’t Breathe” is sure to leave you on the edge of your seat.
Not only does the film play with your primal human fears, but it also takes an emotional toll on the viewer. The movie places you in this state of constantly questioning whose side you should be on. Throughout the film, you will surprisingly sympathize with both parties which is something I have yet to experience with other films in this genre. However, in the end, it will be clear who the real victim is.
For all of my fellow horror movie junkies out there, I would highly recommend “Don’t Breathe,” you will have an action-packed hour and a half that will be well-worth your 9 dollars and fifty cents.
