DON'T BREATHE 2 (2021)

Critic No. 235

Director: Rodo Sayagues

Written by: Rodo Sayagues, Fede Alvarez

Produced by: Screen Gems, Stage 6 Films, Ghost House Pictures, Bad Hombre

Casts: Stephen Lang, Brendan Sexton III, Madelyn Grace, Fiona O'Shaughnessy

Language: English

Genre: Horror, Thriller

SYNOPSIS: 

The sequel is set in the years following the initial deadly home invasion, where Norman Nordstrom (Stephen Lang) lives in quiet solace until his past sins catch up to him.

REVIEW:

It is quite an interesting perspective to completely attempt to rehabilitate and amend the character arc of Norman and make him the ‘victim’ here who is trying to save his adopted daughter from a group of burglars who have a bigger motive behind their sleeves. By locating Norman out of the house this time, it was almost like a tighter marriage between Don’t Breathe and Taken. This results in a more savage treatment but never as tense or packed as the original. By knowing his brutal past from the 1st installment, I also personally felt it hard to root for him to succeed in taking down his invaders. However, there are lots of nice stylistic, action scenes, including one impressive, long tracking shot through Norman’s house at the start of the break-in with a complicated action sequence.

However, the bond between Norman and his daughter never sticks to us and the training he provides her in the start (which I thought is a good setup for the climax), never really pays off. What we see is a formidable Norman taking the burglars down without a single help from her. Even during the climax where she is held captive by a disabled person, she is unable to save herself. Meanwhile, subplots about an organ trafficking ring and a nearby children’s shelter feel forced and fit awkwardly. This spoils the entire mood of the film as it gradually diverts into an underworld action thriller. 

Fiona and Brendan as the parents of Phoenix/Tara look like they are in a stage play with their sore sticking overacting. Stephen Lang impresses as the ‘superhuman’ Norman and he even gets to flex his emotional muscle this time which is commendable, but unfortunately feels surface level due to the underdevelopment of the core plot of the father-daughter relationship that the film anchors in. Technically the film looks rich and the gory moments are well executed reminding me of some of Sam Raimi’s horror cinematic universe. The edit is jam-packed with no draggy or unwanted scenes as well. 

That said, even though the attempt to provide another colour to the series is noteworthy, the nature of the claustrophobic horror/thriller is lacking due to its reroute to shape up more as a bigger, wider action vehicle. If only a better emotional arc was attached to the idea, the film would have created a much more rewarding experience. 

VERDICT:

‘Don’t Breathe 2’ is an engaging home invasion thriller that still manages to keep the heart racing even though the inclusion of a few caricaturistic characters and logic gaps play a spoilsport. 

CELLULOID METER- 3/5: