As a seasoned gamer and horror movie enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I have seen enough thrillers to know that a good one leaves you gripping the edge of your seat, heart pounding, and eyes glued to the screen. The upcoming Netflix release, “Don’t Move,” certainly piqued my interest with its intriguing premise and promising cast. After reading through various critic reviews, I decided to take the plunge and stream it on a chilly Halloween eve.
As a horror enthusiast, it seems like every corner is filled with chills and thrills as we approach Halloween! With just a few days left, there’s an abundance of spine-tingling movies yet to grace the silver screen for all us movie fanatics. For those who prefer the comfort of their own homes, Netflix has unveiled another terrifying treat – the Sam Raimi-produced “Don’t Move”. Starring Kelsey Asbille from “Yellowstone”, this chilling film is available to stream now. Critics are buzzing about it, so let them guide your decision on whether or not you should add it to your pre-Halloween movie marathon!
2024 sees Kelsey Asbille taking on the role of Iris, a distraught woman, in a film where she’s injected with a paralyzing agent by a menacing character played by Finn Wittrock from American Horror Story. With her attacker hot on her heels, Iris must outwit him and find hiding places before her body succumbs completely to the drug. Tyler Nichols of JoBlo gives it an impressive 8 out of 10, commending the lead actors for their powerful performances, noting that it’s not simple to generate intensity in a tale about a paralyzed woman. According to Nichols, the actors truly deliver the energy required.
I thoroughly appreciated my experience watching Don’t Move, as the narrative kept me hooked until the very end. The directors skillfully build suspense in each scene, leaving viewers on edge and yearning for Iris’ liberation. Initially portrayed as a woman at wit’s end, her story evolves into a struggle for survival against an unhinged antagonist. Throughout the film, I found myself cheering for Iris and hoping that Richard would face his just desserts. In essence, this movie delivers exactly what one hopes for in such a gripping thriller.
Jim Vorel of Paste agrees the upcoming Netflix movie has enough energy to spare, thanks to a solid screenplay and impressive performances from Kelsey Asbille and Finn Wittrock. The critic rates the film 7 out of 10, writing:
In its core sections, Don’t Move offers the most enjoyment when Asbille is required to convey the most with the least expressive capabilities. Initially, I anticipated an abundance of flashbacks and introspective moments, but these elements are used sparingly, maintaining our focus on the present as the character strives for shelter and a means of minimal communication. This emphasis also heightens the sense of urgency in the storyline, leaving us wondering if Iris’ mobility will recover before it’s too late.
While some critics aren’t entirely convinced, directors Adam Schindler and Brian Netto’s work is not universally praised. Meagan Navarro from Bloody Disgusting, for instance, only awards the movie 1.5 out of 5 skulls. She finds that despite its high-concept nature, the thriller turns out to be surprisingly uneventful, with a bland antagonist and a shallow exploration of grief. Navarro further notes her disappointment in this area.
The movie fails to deviate from its predictable formula, much like its immobile protagonist, Don’t Move lacks excitement. A woman on the brink of suicide is confronted by a serial killer, but instead of exploring deep emotions and edge-of-your-seat tension, or providing catharsis for a grieving mother, it offers a dull and shallow survival thriller where the stakes never reach their full potential.
Robert Daniels of RogerEbert.com similarly rates Don’t Move 1.5 out of 4 stars, calling it out for “bad VFX, a hyperactive score, and an inability to craft the kind of tense mood necessary for a thriller like this to work.” Kelsey Asbille is obviously limited in what she can bring to the film, and the movie isn’t interested in digging into its villain’s psychology. Daniels writes:
This movie titled “Don’t Move” is often criticized for being an unremarkable abduction thriller that lacks depth and originality. In essence, it seems like a predictable reenactment of typical elements found in such stories, offering little insight into its character dynamics or tension. The setup feels overly sentimental, while the conclusion disappointingly lacks impact.
Shaina Weatherhead from Collider comments that while the idea behind “Don’t Move” is intriguing and the main performances are impressive, the dialogue feels unnatural and lacks the spontaneity of real-life conversation. In the end, she suggests that the movie might leave you feeling just as static as its character, giving it a score of 5 out of 10.
When it comes to Netflix thrillers, “Don’t Move” stands out due to its unique plot, helping it avoid being overshadowed amidst the influx of new productions. The film does provide a sincere, if somewhat superficial, exploration of the debilitating effects of grief. However, if you expect heart-racing thrills or bone-chilling terror from this movie, you might find it disappointingly slow and mildly tedious as a survival story.
Overall, critics appear divided on whether the movie “Don’t Move” lives up to its high-concept thriller label, as it currently has a 64% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. If you’re looking for a thriller that fits your taste or are exploring Netflix for engaging shows to binge, this might be worth checking out.
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2024-10-25 23:07