'Don't Breathe' Review: A spine-chilling horror tale, not for the faint-hearted!

Directed by: Fede Alvarez

Cast: Jane Levy, Stephen Lang, Dylan Minnette

What's it about:

You know how your parents tell you not to go prying into other people's business and not to take what isn't yours? Well, next time, listen to them. You never know when it might save your life. Well, no such luck for Alex (Minnette), Money (Daniel Zovatto) and Rocky (Levy), who break into an Army man's house, deducing it will be easy pickings for them to steal him of a purported sum of money because he's blind. Easier said than done. Getting in was the easy part, getting out...well that's tricky.

What's hot:

Stephen Lang (best remembered from Avatar) is the blind man in question and he's a scary sight to behold, especially in the dark. The central premise is one that has not been used as much, and never to such claustrophobic effect, as effectively. That 'now, you see what I see' line in the basement is truly bone-chilling. Levy and Minnette play their parts quite well. Alvarez makes this cat-and-mouse game click and that's rare to see.

What's not:

The film isn't for the faint of heart at all. Some scenes can get really unpleasant, and there are a few twists in the tale that kind of have you scratching your head, wondering why!

What to do:

The idea of a Hotel California-like situation - you can check in, but never check out - makes for a tense, horror-filled film. More so, since the frights are provided by a flesh-and-blood monster and not a ghost or ghoul.

Rating: ****