Picking up several years after the original feature, Don’t Breathe 2 (2021) flips the script, with co-writers Fede Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues (though this time the latter takes over directing duties), placing the audience in the shoes of The Blind Man (rather than those who attempted to rob him in the genesis film). . . following him into a most intense scenario.
In a wild, bold, and arguably controversial maneuver, Alvarez and Sayagues attempt to transform the sinister former veteran from the previous movie into something akin to an anti-hero – within the narrative, themes of rebirth and redemption can be found. Now a ‘father’ to his ‘daughter’, Phoenix – no subtlety there (Madelyn Grace), The Blind Man is now humanized with a real name, Norman Nordstrom (Stephen Lang). No spoilers on her backstory.
Training her with many of the skills he has, he is overly protective of her. . . the only other person in her life is another former vet (though a much younger, female one), Hernandez (Stephanie Arcila) – when Phoenix succeeds in her training, her father allows her to go into town to help her do some errands.
Weaving together an outrageously gonzo tale that would fit right into the wild days of 70s exploitation cinema, the pair are soon attacked. . . but not by who we might simply assume. All I’ll say is that the group is lead by a man named Raylan (Brendan Sexton III). Twists and turns continue to force us down a most dark rabbit hole, equally placing both Norman and Phoenix in ever more daunting situations. Call-backs to Don’t Breathe frequently pop up – from the previous plot of one’s own home being under attack (and the long take used to introduce us to it), to cracking glass and cast iron vents. . . each moment either providing a flashback or a chance to subvert our expectations.
Widening the scope in this second outing, doing so provides ample opportunity to further explore this character as well as new surroundings. . . but it also threatens the original’s successful sense of making the audience feel utterly trapped in a most claustrophobic and tense atmosphere. Though this sequel is equally as tense, it never does achieve the same confined aura, the walls instead removed for something different – a bloody search/redemption mission.
And boy is this bloody. Rated R for a reason, it seems to ratchet up the creative ways in which threats and kills are achieved. . . from hidey holes and the use of darkness, to fire, water, smoke and so many unexpected implements, it goes for an almost Home Alone array of violence that is cranked up to eleven. Bringing with that a most intoxicating colour palette – blacks, blues and orangey reds invade the screen, adding extra visual flair for our senses.
An entertaining if not wholly satisfying sequel, Don’t Breathe 2 is still a solid horror thriller. Though it could use a bit more character development and might lose some people with its twisted turns, it never slows down, a taut roller coaster ride built on the shoulders of the ever malleable character actor that is Stephen Lang. . . and kudos to him for selling The Blind Man as a very flawed action hero – it was wholly unlikely that something like that could have ever happened following the previous film’s shocking revelation. A final note that is of the utmost importance – there is a very short sequence following the end credits, and it might provide you with some added information. So, transplant yourself into a movie theatre seat and experience this heart pounding sequel. . . it might even have you asking yourself, ‘maybe a blind squirrel actually finds nuts all of the time’.