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Entertainment • Film

Don't Breathe

"Don't Breathe" is a 2016 American horror film directed by Fede Álvarez and co-written with Rodo Sayagues.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"Don't Breathe" is a 2016 American horror film directed by Fede Álvarez and co-written with Rodo Sayagues. It stars Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto, and Stephen Lang, and follows three home intruders who become trapped and hunted inside the house of a blind war veteran.

Premise

The film follows three Detroit burglars who target the home of a blind war veteran after learning he keeps a large amount of cash inside. Their robbery goes badly, and they become trapped in the house with him.

Production

"Don't Breathe" was directed by Fede Álvarez, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rodo Sayagues. It is presented as a US production in English.

Release

The film premiered in 2016 and was released theatrically in the United States on August 26, 2016. Other listings also note a September 2016 release in some regions.

Reception and classification

Major listings describe the film as horror, thriller, and mystery, and it carries an R rating for language, disturbing content, sexual references, terror, and violence.

Key facts

  • "Don't Breathe" is a 2016 American horror film and the first installment in the "Don't Breathe" franchise.
  • The plot centres on three burglars who break into the home of a blind veteran expecting an easy robbery.
  • The main cast includes Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto, and Stephen Lang.
  • The film was released in the United States on August 26, 2016.
  • The runtime is listed as 88 minutes.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed internationally and is widely available to Canadian audiences through theatrical, home entertainment, and streaming platforms, but the provided sources do not identify a specifically Canadian production or storyline.

Frequently asked questions

What is "Don't Breathe"?
It is a 2016 American horror film about three burglars who break into the house of a blind veteran and are forced to fight for survival.
Who directed "Don't Breathe"?
The film was directed by Fede Álvarez.
Who stars in "Don't Breathe"?
The main cast includes Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto, and Stephen Lang.
When was "Don't Breathe" released?
It was released in the United States on August 26, 2016.
What genre is "Don't Breathe"?
It is commonly classified as horror, thriller, and mystery.
Is "Don't Breathe" part of a franchise?
Yes. It is identified as the first installment in the "Don't Breathe" franchise.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don't_Breathe
    Supports: Basic identification, year, director, writers, cast, premise, and franchise status.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4160708/
    Supports: Release date, cast, and plot summary.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4160708/plotsummary/
    Supports: Expanded plot summary and cast names.
  4. Time Out — https://www.timeout.com/movies/dont-breathe
    Supports: Runtime, release date, and screenwriter information.
  5. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/dont-breathe
    Supports: Genre, runtime, rating, and content classification.
  6. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dont_breathe_2016
    Supports: Genre, release date, runtime, rating, and plot synopsis.
  7. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dont-breathe-2016
    Supports: Premise and characterization of the film as a tense confined thriller.
  8. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80100649
    Supports: Short synopsis, cast, and content tags.