Introductions & Background
Don’t Move is a 2024 American horror-thriller directed by Adam Schindler and Brian Netto. Produced by the acclaimed Sam Raimi, the movie premiered on Netflix on October 25, 2024. With a 92-minute runtime, the film offers a gripping and suffocating struggle for survival based on a singularly nightmarish premise: a woman has to survive while her body is becoming more and more disabled because of a potent neurotoxin.
The film brings together elements of psychological horror and physical suspense. It has been described as “high stakes, single location thriller.” The film has received mixed reviews and critique, mainly at release, for the efficiency of the storytelling and the use of tension as the main driving force of the plot.
Plot Overview
The film’s narrative revolves on IRIS, a woman in grief played by Kelsey Asbille, who is seen standing on the edge of the cliff in deep contemplation. Recently, her son, Mateo, died in a horrible accident. Now, Iris has returned to the cliff,that was the site of the accident, to say her final goodbyes.
Before she can jump, she is approached by a man named Richard, played by Finn Wittrock, who appears compassionate and caring. Richard goes on to explain his own losses in order to connect with her on a deeper level. He seems like a savior, but the interaction turns dark rather quickly. Richard abducts Iris, restrains her, and injects a neurotoxin that will gradually shut down her bodily functions. He explains that in roughly twenty minutes she will lose complete control of her limbs, voice, and eventually the ability to breathe or blink.
Driven by her desire to survive, Iris escapes into the forest, using the last of her strength and willpower to survive evading her captor. Even as her mental and physical faculties begin to fade, she is able to find refuge in the cabin of a local man named Bill who offers her temporary shelter. Bill attempts to help her communicate and sheltered her.
However, Richard, who is methodical, tracks them down and burns the cabin. The flames spread quickly, causing Iris to flee again. As she is worsening, she is intersecting with a sheriff, hoping for relief. Ambushing her is Richard, resulting in violent conflict.
Iris is on a sinking boat in the film’s climax with Richard. After a struggle, she stabs him, managing to swim to shore. Richard is bleeding and dying nearby, Iris watches him, and �calmly tells him he saved her, saying his attack on her rekindled her desire to live.� She walks away, marking her journey with not only a physical battle but what appears to be an emotional and spiritual transformation.
Main Cast & Crew
As Iris, Kelsey Asbille is the protagonist and her physical performance drives the film. Her role requires to portray a range emothions, including grief, and firmly resolve with little dialogue.
As Richard, Finn Wittrock is the antagonist, merging charm, menace, and sadistic control.
Bill is a local who offers momentary hope and human kindness to Iris, portrayed by Moray Treadwell.
Adding deep conflict and suspense, Daniel Francis as Sheriff, is a brief but pivotal character, making his role impactful.
The cinematography of Zach Kuperstein assists in portraying the physical Iris’s body as she progressively gets restricted in the film. Both Mark Korven and Michelle Osis’s composed music, while minimalistic, creates a tense atmosphere that relies upon a clock, much like the effects of the neurotoxin. Without unnecessary side plots, Josh Ethier’s editing provides a controlled, yet relentless, pace to the film, perfect for building suspense.
Themes and Symbolism
- Loss and Grief
The personal tragedy of Iris enables the viewer to connect deeply as her backstory shapes the narrative. Even further, Iris’s emotional state of being severely depressed facilitates the flow of the story. It isn’t until later after a physical struggle, where she fights to survive, that her emotional awakening begins.
- Paralysis and Agency
In the given story, neurotoxin acts as both a literal and metaphorical element. Iris’s body being paralyzed by the neurotoxin serves as the emotional stillness that grief results in symbolically. Iris’s attempt to move, speak, and fight serves as a metaphor for taking back her agency and purpose.
- Predator and Prey
Through a psychological game of cat and mouse, Iris and Richard are placed in a film together. Richard as a calm yet cruel predator embodies the frightening attributes of real-life predators. Afterward, Iris’s evolution is that of a victim turned survivor which empowers her arc.
- Isolation
From the forested wilderness to the condense interiors of a burning cabin or a sinking boat, the film underscores isolation and confinement. In this case, nature’s vastness turns into a trap rather than a sanctuary. This reinforces the idea that survival, in this case, is internal.
Visual Style and Direction
As the film unfolds, the viewer realizes that the visual style of Don’t Move is deliberately muted. Most of the film is set in the woods, the cabin, and a small boat, which echo Iris’s physical confinement. The camera fixates on Iris’s face, particularly her eyes and hands, which underscores the gradual paralysis she’s experiencing. This evokes a sense of suspenseful aggravation where blinking is the only form of communication.
As the film progresses, lighting and the color palette shifts from soft natural tones to sharp contrasts and chaotic fire-lit scenes. The variation in colors is grounded in the story’s realism and employs practical effects instead of CGI, which enhances the raw immediacy of the horror.
Reception
Critics and viewers alike shared mixed to positive reviews of Don’t Move. The film’s pacing, notable performances, and novel idea garnered praise from many. Of particular note, Kelsey Asbille received acclaim for her nuanced performance, capturing a wide range of emotions while maintaining physically controlled movements.
Critics pointed out how the film deftly stretched a single concept into a riveting story. Still, some viewers thought that the film’s emotionally shallow scripting, revolving around trauma and a fight for survival, lacked depth. Some viewers found parts of the climax difficult to accept, especially Iris’s fighting back so skillfully while being paralyzed.
Despite the film’s minor criticisms, the movie connected with audiences searching for a high-concept suspenseful thriller that did not fall into cliché traps. The film immediately soared to the list of trending horror films on Netflix.
Conclusion
Don’t Move is visceral, suspense reigns supreme. The film has a singular premise that is both terrifying and relatable: being hunted while your body betrays you. The film is a mix of psychological horror and emotional reflection, exploring how being physically vulnerable connects with emotional trauma.
This film may not change the genre, but it is a lean, mean, viscerally effective cinematic experience. With solid performances and sharp storytelling, Don’t Move shows that horror often doesn’t lie in what’s done to us – but in what we might do to survive.
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