Don’t Breathe 2 – A Useless and Aimless Sequel

It’s funny when sequels to films that where they didn’t seem possible keep appearing out of nowhere and Don’t Breathe 2, the sequel of 2016’s Don’t Breathe, is no different. While the original film’s success came hugely from its titular premise, playing with sound and perception to create palpable tension as a group of young home invaders took on the not-so-innocent blind man Norman Nordstrom (Lang). By the end of that film, it appeared that its premise, characters, and story ran their course in a decently-satisfying way but think again! This sequel sees Nordstrom back for more in something that is so far removed from the original, essentially diluting itself into a directionless and misguided mess not to mention an utter waste of time with its only saving grace perhaps being its short running time. Though coming back with roughly the same premise to guide the character through another tale, this film takes a different approach that doesn’t work and ultimately fails to justify its existence. In the end, propped up by a thin story with no character development whatsoever, the film gives audiences little reason to care.

Don’t Breathe 2 puts Nordstrom front and center, trying to redeem the despicable character who has done a lot of bad things in his life (original film excluded) and continues that streak here. However, the lack of any kind of depth whatsoever fails to underline any of his actions and makes the film hard to follow as a whole therefore care. The story saw Nordstrom still take on some would be adversaries as his past came back to haunt him. Several years following the events of the original film, he was simply minding his own business with his daughter (Grace) until he would be thrust into action. The thinness of the story and the lack of development made most of the events over the course of the film come off as empty. It failed to root any of it in anything compelling whatsoever, including its attempt to humanize Nordstrom through his relationship with his daughter which didn’t work either. Suffice it to say that audiences need to care about that relationship in order to get anything out of this film but it definitely made that a challenge.

Don’t Breathe 2 still had some of those same moments of tension but they paled in comparison to the original. Though there weren’t nearly as many this time around, the element of surprise was gone as its pitiful attempts to recreate that magic just didn’t work. That being said, the film still featured that same level of brutality throughout although it was a little more mindless this time around. All of it was of course leading to something. However, by the time that happened, it was too late as the emotional payoff wasn’t there as the buildup wasn’t there thus failing its characters. This is assuming that anyone has managed to hold on until then. Waiting for something to happen that never does shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering the film’s lazy attempts of trying to make something out of nothing. Now for those wondering if more will come of this, because it didn’t seem possible after the original film, do not fret.

If anything worked in Don’t Breathe 2, it was its performances. They weren’t great by any means but they at least kept the film watchable. Though Lang as Nordstrom definitely still has the physicality and stage presence, he wasn’t nearly as threatening this time around while his brooding and groveling his lines made it hard to connect with him on an emotional level. With this film pushing his character more to the forefront, he certainly did not deliver for the most part. The best part of the film was Grace as Nordstrom’s daughter. Her charisma and energy went a long way as did her chemistry with Lang. It was just a shame that the writing and direction didn’t do them any favors.

At the end of the day, Don’t Breathe 2 is proof that not all films need sequels or at least for those planning sequels, at least have a decent idea of where to take a franchise.

still courtesy of Sony Pictures

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.