went into Don’t Breathe 2 with low expectations, especially considering how unsettling the first one was. I still find the idea of a sequel centered on a character like The Blind Man problematic, but I agree with the review that the film doesn’t try to make him a hero. He remains a dangerous, deeply flawed person, and I think that’s important. What surprised me most was the shift in focus to Phoenix. Her story was much more engaging for me. I found myself rooting for her, even when the violence got overwhelming. Her evolution was believable, and Madelyn Grace handled the role with maturity beyond her years.
Technically, the film is strong. The cinematography and action scenes are brutal but well-executed. I liked that the director took a different approach from Alvarez. It doesn’t feel like a copy of the first. However, I still have mixed feelings about the movie’s existence. It feels like the filmmakers wanted to tell Phoenix’s story, but weren’t sure how to do that without including The Blind Man again. His presence overshadows what could have been a better standalone story about survival and trauma. I guess I’m not against morally grey characters, but I wish the film leaned even more into Phoenix’s experience and less into the redemption arc that some viewers might mistakenly see.
