“Don’t Breathe”: A Low-Budget Thriller That Took the Box Office by Storm
Another low-budget horror film has defied expectations and achieved remarkable success. “Don’t Breathe” premiered in North America on August 26th and immediately seized the top spot at the weekend box office, grossing $26.115 million. This impressive debut knocked “Suicide Squad” down to second place, overshadowed the newly released “Mechanic: Resurrection” (which landed in fifth), and even surpassed “Pete’s Dragon,” which settled for sixth.
What Makes “Don’t Breathe” So Compelling?
So, what exactly is “Don’t Breathe” about, and what accounts for its widespread appeal? The film is directed by Fede Álvarez, a specialist in the horror genre, whose previous work includes “Evil Dead.” He seems to be following a similar path to that of James Wan, another modern master of horror.
With a modest production budget of just $10 million, “Don’t Breathe” turned a profit in its opening weekend. The film stars Stephen Lang, Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, and Daniel Zovatto, none of whom are major A-list celebrities, proving that a compelling story and strong execution can triumph over star power.
A Heist Gone Horribly Wrong
The premise of “Don’t Breathe” is simple: three young delinquents target the home of a blind man, assuming he will be an easy mark. However, they soon discover that their intended victim is far more dangerous than they could have imagined, and the house holds dark secrets of its own.
When confronted with a gun, the blind man swiftly disarms his attacker and, without hesitation, fatally shoots one of the intruders. The remaining two are forced to move in silence, holding their breath to avoid detection.
The blind man possesses exceptional hearing, capable of pinpointing the location of a ringing phone and shooting it with deadly accuracy. Despite his age, he is incredibly strong and agile, a veritable blind assassin.
Once the blind man realizes that there are two intruders remaining, he relentlessly pursues them through the house, leading to a desperate and terrifying game of cat and mouse. As they fight for survival, the intruders begin to uncover the shocking secrets hidden within the walls of the house.
Álvarez masterfully creates a suspenseful and thrilling experience within the confines of a single house. The New York Daily News praised the director’s work, stating:
“With his second film, Fede Álvarez has finally mastered Hitchcockian suspense, proving himself to be an excellent filmmaker even when dealing with realistic horror.”
A Trend of Successful Low-Budget Horror
“Don’t Breathe” is part of a growing trend of low-budget horror films achieving critical and commercial success, joining the ranks of movies like “Lights Out” and “The Shallows.”
The film’s greatest strength lies in its ability to create unrelenting tension. The story is well-paced, the atmosphere is chilling, and the audience is kept on the edge of their seats from beginning to end, holding their breath alongside the protagonists as they desperately try to escape. Only in the final moments of the film can viewers finally exhale and breathe normally again.