Dont Breath 2, Unexpected Encounters Packed with Fading Intensity

After being quite successful through its first film in 2016, the sequel of the film, Don’t Breath 2 still follows Norman(Stephen Lang), a blind old man with extraordinary fighting abilities. Not much different from the first film, ‘Don’t Breathe 2’ has the same premise but with different characters and added a little dramatic element from Norman’s relationship with his adopted daughter, Phoenix.

In the beginning of the story the film shows a group of robbers desperate to enter the house of Norman Nordstrom (Stephen Lang) to take something of value so that it can be sold and make a lot of money. However, misfortune befalls them because, unbeknownst to them, Norman is not an ordinary blind old man. Because he is a former soldier who mastered martial arts and a sharp instinct to immediately know what was going on.

Although the premise of the second film is the same as the previous one, there is a big difference, namely that the herd of thieves who broke into Norman’s house are not petty thieves because they have military backgrounds and really know how to complete their job perfectly. Led by Raylan (Brendan Sexton), this group of thieves comes to take the most valuable thing from Norman, not the property they are after, but their adopted son Phoenix (Madelyn Grace). The situation forced Norman to get out of the house. But on the other hand, fear that his past crimes will be exposed, makes him to go out to save Phoenix.

In addition, this film is also supported by the selection of backgrounds as well as brilliant shots of each scene. Dominated by dark colors and minimal light, as if to invite us to feel the gloomy and tense atmosphere presented by this film. The medium-shoot shooting technique makes us focus on the activities of the characters and makes us forget the dark corners where Norman is hiding and ready to jump just like the first film. Regarding acting, the cast of ‘Don’t Breathe 2’ can be said to have succeeded in making this film quite interesting and worth watching. Stephen Lang’s acting very successful role as an old man who is blind but very dangerous and agile.

His fragile demeanor as well as a serious threat to the kidnappers makes him an interesting character to investigate. Madelyn Grace herself also managed to play Phoenix as a tough and intelligent girl who had been trained by Norman. Both cover each other’s shortcomings and act like equal partners. Norman with his great strength and Phoenix with his compassion. Not only the two of them, a group of thieves also came with their own charms. Raylan with his charisma is able to lead his team members, Duke (Rocci Williams), Jared (Bobby Schofield), Raul (Christian Zagia), and Jim-Bob (Adam Young) to move in one command in order to realize their main goal.

In addition, in this sequel the storyline looks more complex than the first, here the audience is still often guessing the details of the storyline. But, so far this sequel can be said to be good because it displays a side of more brutality and gore. The brutality presented is also more gore than the first. So much blood and more displaying the cool survival skills of Blind Man

However, it still seems blurry because it doesn’t explain the motive behind him bringing Phoenix and the house fire 8 years earlier. In addition, the storyline is also fairly short for the size of a complex problem, so from the viewer’s point of view, when the fun is being brought along with the storyline, suddenly the excitement doesn’t last long.

And also the fear of Blind Man like fading the second film, unlike the first film which doesn’t say much but does gruesome brutality in silence. Then, the spotlight comes when the nature of a father is attached to Blind Man, this makes his slightly scary character fade in this second film.

But, all of that was covered by cool acting from Stephen Lang. He totally succeeded in bringing the main character into a terrible cold-blooded killer.Overall, ‘Don’t Breathe 2’ will be difficult to overtake the popularity of the first film. However, this film is also an expansion of the ‘Don’t Breathe’ franchise that is worth watching even if only once.

Our Score (6/10)

Title: Don’t Breathe 2
Production : Screen Gems, Stage 6 films, Ghost House Picture
Director : Rodo Sayagues
Screenwriter: Fade Alvarez
Cast : Stephen Lang, Madelyn Grace, Brandan Sexton III, Adam Young, Rocci Wiliams, Christian Zagia, Bobby Schofield, Adam Young, Stephanie Arcila, Diaana Babnicova, Steffan Rhodri, Fiona O’Shaughnessy