Don’t Breathe was released in the summer of 2016. It had an interesting premise, but nothing that screamed franchise material. However, viewers learned that the movie was way more than advertised and delivered a brutal, intense thriller with a twist no one saw coming. Don’t Breathe was Fede Alvarez’s follow-up to his successful Evil Dead reboot and fans devoured it. It was both critically and financially successful, but the idea of a sequel left everyone questioning the direction. While the first film left room for more, who would the sequel follow?

The trailer was released for the sequel and it turns out The Blind Man (Stephen Lang) was our new hero. Social media immediately went into a frenzy as it was questionable why a violent rapist was someone to root for. DON’T BREATHE 2 came out in theaters and was actually not all that bad, but still felt off.

Lang returns, now raising a young girl, Phoenix (Madelyn Grace) in his very familiar home in Detroit. Their relationship is a mystery and how they found each other, but that element helps drive the story along. Like in the first film, some shady individuals break into the home. These guys, however, are fighters and their goal is to get the girl. What ensues is their pursuit as well as The Blind Man’s determination to not let her go.

DON’T BREATHE 2 succeeds in setting up scenarios where the senses are exploited to gruesome outcomes, but this film feels a bit bigger. That’s both a good and bad thing. The first film had this whole cat and mouse game going, with the mice trapped in the cat’s cage to its advantage. In the sequel, it starts in a cage but plays a bigger part in an abandoned hotel. While the set pieces look beautifully (not to mention gorgeously shot), DON’T BREATHE 2 has more of an action movie vibe versus the tense thriller of the original. Part of that probably comes with the downfalls that come with exposing your monster too much onscreen. We know his secrets. We know he’s strong, so what more can he tell us? As it turns out, nothing much.

The Blu-ray release comes with a bombastic 5.1 DTS-HD track that utilizes the film’s gimmicks. For a dimly shot movie, DON’T BREATHE 2 actually shines in the high definition format. Unfortunately, the handful of mini-features don’t add much to the package. Short interview snippets with the cast and crew make the most of it. Fans, fortunately, do have two commentaries to choose from: English and Spanish commentaries with Alvarez, Pedro Luque, and Rodo Sayagues. Highly recommend the Spanish track which does come with subtitles to help follow the conversation.

As mentioned, DON’T BREATHE 2 doesn’t add anything to this world. If you didn’t like the first film, then nothing here will make change your opinion or really worth checking out. However, fans of the original will have a good time and make a good night out for a grisly time.

DON’T BREATHE 2 is now available on Digital, Blu-ray, and DVD. If you want to learn more about the creation and process of making the film, check out our video interviews with Stephen Lang, and Co-Writer/Director Rodo Sayagues and Co-Writer/Producer Fede Alvarez.