Like most horror sequels, “Don’t Breathe 2” continues the first’s formula. In this case, criminals break into the house of The Blind Man (Stephen Lang) and soon realize – to their horror and our delight — he’s not the man with whom to f***.
Twists and turns
But beyond that, “DB2” – from the returning team of Fede Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues (but with the latter directing this time) – is a twisty delight while also being briskly economical. As with the recent “Malignant,” I love how the story makes such wild turns.
Lang is again the highlight as someone we would fear in a dark alley yet feel sympathy for. Everyday words – like when he says “Thanks” to his one friend, grocery delivery woman Hernandez (Stephanie Arcila) – sound pained, even though his vocal cords aren’t damaged.
“Don’t Breathe 2” (2021)
Director: Rodo Sayagues
Writers: Fede Alvarez, Rodo Sayagues
Stars: Stephen Lang, Madelyn Grace, Brendan Sexton III
But coming close to stealing the show from Lang is Madelyn Grace as daughter Phoenix. She’s the most kick-ass little girl since Wolverine’s charge in “Logan.”
“DB2” delivers “John Wick”-ian pleasures of The Blind Man doing his thing in ways that even veteran horror viewers will find to be creative. But it’s not merely smile-worthy entertainment.
A sequence of Phoenix evading the home invaders is masterfully choreographed. It’s probably not literally one long shot from the lens of Pedro Luque, but it feels that way.
A chilling dystopia
Then the film takes a surprising turn that I won’t spoil. But suffice it to say we love this bizarre father-daughter duo by this time and continue to root for them – as we’re supposed to.
The 2016 original’s brilliance was in how we sympathized with both The Blind Man and the in-over-their-heads criminals, among them Jane Levy. The criminals aren’t so likable here but they do have fascinating traits.
“DB2” is set in the near future of the slowly budding apocalypse we saw in part one. Detroit (or at least what we see of it) is totally given over to the meth industry. There is no cop in sight. The wider state of the world also explains how Phoenix ends up with The Blind Man in the first place.
Although I imagine some viewers will quibble that nothing is explained, I find that the “DB” saga has one of the most believable dystopias among the recent spate of films and TV in this genre. Luque lusciously films ugly/beautiful condemned buildings in Detroit and Belgrade.
The “Don’t Breathe” future doesn’t arise from an apocalyptic Event, but simply from unchecked inertia of what you see outside and read about in the news. That’s the most chilling explanation of all.