Hold Your Breath
Directed by Will Joines, Karrie CrouseIn 1930s Oklahoma amid the region's horrific dust storms, a woman is convinced that a sinister presence is threatening her family.
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Cast of Hold Your Breath
Hold Your Breath Ratings & Reviews
- jackmeatOctober 15, 2024My quick rating - 5.4/10. This flick transports us to 1930s Oklahoma with an atmospheric take on the Dust Bowl era, nailing the period's look and feel. The aesthetic of the film is immersive, from the worn-out, dust-covered landscapes to the haunting isolation of life in a small, wind-battered home. The cinematography is strong, offering moments of striking imagery, especially during the dust storms, though I wish these storms had been used more effectively to drive tension and amplify the film's claustrophobic potential. Sarah Paulson shines as Margaret, a young mother grappling with grief and paranoia, giving a performance that carries the film through its slower parts. She expertly conveys Margaret’s internal battle, making her journey compelling even when the pace drags. Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Wallace also deserves a nod as his eerie portrayal adds a much-needed layer of tension, his character's ominous presence felt throughout. Unfortunately, the rest of the cast feels more like set dressing, failing to leave much of an impression. The film tries to lean into folk horror with a slow-burn, gothic approach, but it doesn't quite press hard enough on the horror elements to truly unsettle. The creeping dread is there, but it often fizzles out before reaching a satisfying payoff. The premise of a mysterious force lurking in the storms is promising, but the story never fully capitalizes on it. While the atmosphere works, the pacing struggles to maintain momentum, and the horror feels underutilized, leaving the film caught between a period drama and a horror movie without fully delivering on either. If the tension of the dust storms and the fear of the unknown had been explored more deeply, this flick could have been a standout. In the end, it's a well-shot film with strong performances from its leads, but it misses the mark of delivering enough fear or urgency to keep you holding your breath (I had to do it).
- JC LuevanosJuly 8, 2025“Hold Your Breath” surprised me in the best way. It starts off a little slow, sure—but give it fifteen minutes, and suddenly, you’re not just watching the story… you’re in it. No, I wasn’t high—just completely swept up in the atmosphere. The way it draws you in is sneaky and satisfying. By the time it hits its stride, you’re hooked. I loved it—that’s my two cents. Cheers!
- DigitalDisappointmentMarch 29, 2025Strange, unsettling, psychologically terrifying look into the 30's era and one aspect of how it must have impacted those who just tried to survive in it.
- inaneswineFebruary 18, 2025From the beginning, I was drawn into the time period in which the film is set. The cinematography, set design, costuming and dialogue all had me hooked. It turns out that that was the only real interesting part of the film. From them on, the film draws so heavily from other psychological horror films - The Others and The Babadook come to mind - that it becomes hard to to decipher what this film is actually driving at. The plot, much like my interest, wandered off into the dust and never came back. Once again, we're given another example of how terrific acting alone cannot save a film.
