Adam Schindler and Brian Nett’s thriller Don’t Move 2024 Theflixtor asserts itself as an unforgettable survival story, telling an accessible yet tense tale of perseverance and personal transformation. Starring Kelsey Asbille as the grieving mother Iris and Finn Wittrock as the sinister kidnapper, the film is a terrifying, claustrophobic portrayal of a woman’s fight for survival against an obsessive predator. The film doesn’t try to redefine the survival thriller genre, instead relying on solid pacing, effective direction, and Asbille’s compelling performance to create a nearly engrossing experience, albeit with a few predictable twists along the way.
The story begins on a lonely cliff, where Iris is contemplating ending her life following the tragic death of her son. This dark opening sets the tone and focuses on Iris’s state of mind, with her interactions and decisions permeated with a sense of genuine sadness. The complexity of her character is highlighted by the pure pain she feels, and it is in these quiet, sad moments where Kelsey Asbille shines. The scene soon takes on a new kind of horror when a mysterious, seemingly benign man, Richard (Whitlock), transforms into a mugger, marking the beginning of a harrowing weasel-and-rat hunt in the remote, marked wilderness.
Richard reintroduces himself as Andrew, clearly intent on causing chaos, but has no substantial backstory. Instead of explaining his motivations, the film leaves his twisted intentions revealed. This ambiguity is sometimes effective, but at other times it feels like a missed opportunity to develop the character deeper, which could have increased tension. Nevertheless, Richard’s unpredictable menace keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, and Whitlock’s performance, while understated, strikes a balance between quiet cruelty and unsettling determination.
At the heart of Don’t Move is Iris’ intense fight to survive, and Asbille’s performance grounds the film, capturing her transformation from a hurt, grieving mother to a determined survivor. Unable to move after a paralyzing injection, she must deal with reduced mobility and rely on her own wits. These scenes are not only technically impressive, showcasing Asbille’s nuanced physical acting, but also emotional as Iris rediscovers the will to live and her fear slowly turns to defiance.
Schindler and Netto create a menacing atmosphere that is stunning. The setting shifts from dense forests to isolated cabins and dimly lit rest areas, creating an almost suffocating environment. Zach Cooperstein’s cinematography uses low lighting and muted colors to visually depict Iris’s captivity. The use of close-ups accentuates the sense of claustrophobia and growing desperation as Richard relentlessly pursues her. But the film doesn’t shy away from tender moments, allowing the viewer to feel Iris’s fatigue and her slowly growing resolve-moments crucial to her character development.
Don’t Move is a heavy-hitting thriller about the horror of loneliness and human resilience in the face of intense fear. Kelsey Asbille’s committed portrayal of Iris takes the film to a new level, giving a very personal touch to a harrowing tale of survival. Finn Wittrock’s terrifying portrayal of “Richard/Andrew” maintains a controlled and believable horror, but the character’s lack of a backstory makes him somewhat less threatening. Don’t Move is now streaming on Theflixtor.