Don't Breathe is very enjoyable, just don't call it original

Rating: 7/10 (9 May 2017)

There is no denying that Don't Breathe is a thrilling ride expertly produced and directed. Fede Alvarez' last outing is a must-see remake of Evil Dead, so much more visceral than the original. With Don't Breathe, there is a clear departure from the all-out gore and horror of his previous picture, the marketing campaign would make you think this is a horror movie, it is a thriller with very little blood on screen, all the potential gore has been replaced by the tense and engaging set pieces.
This is not an original affair, we've all been there before: home invasion gone wrong, people-are-not-what-they-seem, twists, jump scares, final girl, more twists, etc. However (and this is a big however), the technical execution is faultless, the plot, the pace, the visuals, the sound, all these elements are pulling you in regardless of the initial motivation to watch the film.
Do watch Don't Breathe and enjoy it for what it is.
Delve deeper and we will find issues. The biggest one is the script with dialogues serving their purpose and a flawless structure, the problem resides in the lack of character development particularly for the young protagonists, we find ourselves struggling to root for these individuals, we don't really get a chance to know and care for them, we are mere witnesses to some youths trying to get out of a horrible situation.
Besides the blindness of the antagonist, Don't Breathe is a barely disguised remake or, let's call it, a carbon copy of "The People under the stairs": social commentary on American economic despair, maze- like suburban house, street-wise burglars, dark secret in the basement, air vent chases,... Blimey, all the way down to the rottweiler... Do I need to say more?
Don't let the above issues spoil it, Don't Breathe is a very enjoyable thrilling ride perfectly executed and absolutely watchable but, please, don't call it original.