Fresh off of his smash hit Evil Dead remake, director Fede Alvarez gave the horror nation a terror treat with his atmospheric masterpiece “Don’t Breathe.” The film grossed close to 160 million from a 10-million-dollar budget. Alvarez and cowriter Rodo Sayagues presented an original script filled with tension and deep subtext. Sayagues takes over the direction of this new sequel while Alvarez contributes as cowriter and co-producer along with horror icon Sam Raimi. Does the Uruguayan dream team reproduce the magic of the original film, or does this follow up fall flat in the dark?
Eight years after the events of the first film, the blind man, now known as war veteran Norman Nordstrom, is still living in isolation but with a tween daughter named Phoenix. The circumstances of how Phoenix ended up with Norman is the central plot behind a second botched invasion of the dangerous anti hero’s home. Nordstrom attempts to shelter Phoenix from the horrors of the outside world, but the young lady is rapidly reaching the age of reason and is desperate to lead a more normal life. Under advisement of a family friend, Norman starts to bend to the will of his daughter until trouble comes knocking again. No amateur criminals this time. A serious squad of former military veterans and professional drug runners are unwelcomed guest in the horror home of the blind warrior. As the carnage begins, the audience is filled in on the backstory of Norman and Phoenix. The home invasion plot twist and turns like an out-of-control roller coaster, ultimately leading to a fright filled finished,
Director Sayagues fills the screen with great shot selection, tight action sequences, and does a fine job helming the follow up with his visual style. The gigantic issue with “Don’t Breathe 2” is the absurd and ultra-lazy script. To their credit, the entire cast does a fine job with what they are presented with. Reprising his role, lead Stephen Lang puts in another physical and emotional top shelf shift, while the young Madelyn Grace (portraying Phoenix) shows tremendous potential. Both Sayagues and Alvarez, sharing cowriting duties on this sequel, should be embarrassed with the story they choose to continue this saga. Horror films in general are not intended to be cute and heartwarming, but the amount of mean-spirited sub plots leave the audience with a sickening feeling deep in the base of their stomachs.
Films ask the viewer to suspend disbelief, when done correctly as in the original film, one can imagine a scenario actually playing out in real life. An eager audience could see a blind war veteran taking out a rag tag team of low-level criminals, as was the plot in the original film, but a squad of vets and career drug runners? This is just one of several ridiculous scenarios that litter the film with an abundance of absurdity. While the first film had depth and intimacy throughout the film, this follow up production is all over the place with plot and pace. You would have to think the talented team behind the script put it together over a weekend drinking session for a quick smash and grab financial score that would piggyback from the original film’s popularity. By injecting a young lead performer, the filmmakers attempt to pull emotion through her struggle, but this is just a cheap way that does nothing to block out the complete lack of tension and atmosphere that filled the first film. Theatre goers will be asked by the staff to remain until after the credits for a post credits scene. That scene sums up the entire film in one word. UNNECESSARY.
SCREAM SCORE= 6/10