
Renowned Uruguayan Director Fede Álvarez’s ‘Don’t Breathe’ Set to Exit Streaming Platform on July 1
A highly acclaimed psychological thriller of 83 minutes, regarded as one of the best suspense films in recent years, is soon to leave Netflix, much to the disappointment of its fans. This film not only captivated audiences but also solidified its Uruguayan director’s place as a key figure in contemporary genre cinema. As it exits the streaming platform, it marks the end of an era for a movie that has left an indelible mark on the thriller genre.
The journey of Fede Álvarez, the Uruguayan director, began with ‘El cojonudo’ (2005), a macabre short film that he co-created with his inseparable screenwriter, Rodo Sayagues. This project gained significant attention within the Hispanic film circuit, setting the stage for their future endeavors. In 2009, they caught the eye of the American film industry with ‘Panic Attack!’, a short film notable for its impressive yet budget-friendly special effects. This depiction of a supposed alien invasion in Montevideo showcased their talent and innovation, leading to interest from Hollywood, which is always on the lookout for fresh and promising talent.
Their big break came when Sam Raimi, a legend in the horror genre, offered them the daunting task of remaking his classic horror film, ‘The Evil Dead’ (1981). This opportunity was both a challenge and a testament to Raimi’s belief in their potential. Remarkably, Álvarez and Sayagues rose to the occasion, delivering ‘Evil Dead’ (2013), a film that was both a critical and commercial success. This remake retained the original’s brutal and relentless spirit while adding Álvarez’s unique touch, earning them accolades and establishing Álvarez as a director to watch.
Following the success of ‘Evil Dead’, Álvarez embarked on creating his own project, ‘Don’t Breathe’ (2016). This film tells the gripping story of a group of young thieves (played by Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto, and Sergej Onopko) who believe they have found the perfect heist target: a blind man with a fortune hidden in his house. However, they soon discover that this seemingly helpless victim is a ruthless and resourceful adversary with dark secrets of his own. The blind man, portrayed by Stephen Lang, turns the tables on the intruders, leading to a tense and terrifying cat-and-mouse game.
Stephen Lang, reflecting on his role, remarked, “In the end, the important thing is to achieve something as authentic and simple as you can.” His portrayal of the blind man was both menacing and sympathetic, adding depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional.
Critics lauded ‘Don’t Breathe’ for its innovative approach to the home invasion genre. Jordi Costa noted in his review, “In his shorts, Fede Álvarez had proven to belong to the lineage of formalists. Besides joining the claim of Detroit as the new capital of despair in modern horror, it shifts the traditional point of view of the home invasion subgenre and breathes new stylistic vitality into one of the fundamentals of horror cinema, understood as the relationship between a vulnerable subject and a predatory space brought to life by camera movements.”
The film’s success led to a sequel, ‘Don’t Breathe 2’ (2021), directed by Rodo Sayagues. In this continuation, Stephen Lang’s character evolves from villain to antihero, further exploring the complex nature of his character.
Álvarez’s subsequent projects included ‘The Girl in the Spider’s Web’ (2018), a new installment in the ‘Millennium’ series, and the Apple TV+ series ‘Calls’, showcasing his versatility and ability to handle different genres and formats.
Looking ahead, Fede Álvarez is set to venture into the realm of science fiction with ‘Alien: Romulus’. This highly anticipated film aims to continue the legacy of the iconic ‘Alien’ series, a franchise built on the foundations laid by Ridley Scott, Dan O’Bannon, H.R. Giger, Jerry Goldsmith, and Sigourney Weaver. ‘Alien: Romulus’ promises to bring Álvarez’s distinctive style and vision to one of the most beloved and enduring series in cinematic history.
As ‘Don’t Breathe’ prepares to leave Netflix on July 1, fans of Álvarez’s work can look forward to his upcoming projects, confident in his ability to deliver compelling and innovative films across various genres. His journey from Montevideo to Hollywood exemplifies the power of creativity, determination, and the pursuit of authenticity in filmmaking.