“Hold Your Breath” Delivers on Title

Hold Your Breath (Karrie Crouse/William Joines, 2024) 4 out of 5 stars

1930s Oklahoma: dust storms sweep the region causing crop shortages, famine, and dire health conditions. Residents can’t even go outside at certain points without wearing a mask and even then still might be endangered in one of these swirls of debris. The outlook is bleak, but the residents hang on to the hope that this will pass.

Such details describe the backdrop of directors Karrie Crouse and William Joines’ thriller Hold Your Breath. As if the weather conditions in the area weren’t bad enough, a drifter has been reported in town and is said to have killed some residents. It’s not a pleasant scene, and Hold Your Breath captures that well by featuring an excellent setting and exceptional performances, as well as inspiring empathy and providing some thrills that will send a chill down your spine.

In the film, Margaret Bellum (Sarah Paulson, Glass) lives alone with her two daughters Rose (Amiah Miller, My Best Friend’s Exorcism) and Ollie (Alona Jane Robbins). Margaret’s husband has left in search of work in Philadelphia, leaving Margaret alone to care for the children. Sadly, another child of Margaret’s just recently passed away, and she is distraught and unable to sleep, often sleepwalking and creating chaos when she does.

Amid the dusty environment, the Bellum family follows many precautions to stay safe. One day, in the middle of a storm, Margaret’s youngest daughter, Ollie, reports that she’s seen an apparition from a storybook known as the Grey Man. Legend has it that the Grey Man appears out of thin air and makes people “breathe him in,” causing them to do terrible things. Margaret is at first dismissive of this absurd idea, but as stranger things begin to occur, she soon questions everything. Is there really a local legend living in the dust that is out to harm her family?

Many elements come together to make Hold Your Breath succeed. First, the setting is a terrific choice on the filmmakers’ part. I personally am a huge fan of environmental horror (or “eco-horror) and urban legends, so combining the two in this film here is a genius move. I always enjoy horror films where there is something else going on that characters have to contend with beyond the main antagonist, whether that antagonist be paranormal or not.

The 1930s Oklahoma dust-bowl setting provides an intriguing backdrop. The desolate conditions, brought to life beautifully with impressive effects and stunning cinematography, make us easily form empathy for the characters and their situation. It is also quite compelling to see how the townspeople deal with the dire circumstances as they get inventive to protect themselves and others.

The legend of the Grey Man adds another welcome layer to the story. The mysterious figure puts doubt in the mind of Margaret and her family as well as the viewer. Does he really exist? Is it all in their heads? The audience and the Bellums contest with this notion for much of the film. Whatever is happening clearly leads to more struggles for the already burdened Margaret and therefore trickles down to her children.

The performances in the film are all mostly great, with a few minor roles being the exception. The trio of Paulson, Miller, and Robbins are excellent. Paulson is the main standout as she delivers both a grounded and extraordinary performance as the struggling, desperate, heartbroken mother whois just trying to do what’s best for her kids.

With all the momentum the film has based on its exceling elements, there is one element of Hold Your Breath that comes about midway through the film which feels very unnecessary and completely out of place. There is a new character introduced who doesn’t flow well with the rest of the townsfolk and some very questionable choices are made with this character. Thankfully, this doesn’t last for long, but viewers may wonder what the point was in the first place.

The third act of the film shifts from atmospheric, eco-horror to pure terror in a very natural, satisfying way. The intensity in the very last minutes is done very well, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. It is here where an unexpected aspect raises its head out of all of the madness: sadness. Crouse is able to make the viewer horrified and emotional at the same time as they feel so badly for what is happening to the characters here. Without spoilers of course, I do think it’s one of the more emotionally gripping endings to a horror film I’ve seen in a while.

Hold Your Breath should satisfy most viewers as it executes so many elements with success. Combining exceptional performances with an immersive setting, true terror, and a whole bunch of emotional efficacy, there is more than meets the eye here. In the end, Hold Your Breath takes the audience’s breath away.

Matt Patti

Matt Patti has enjoyed voicing his opinions on films from a young age. He has lived in the Baltimore, Maryland, area since 2015 and is a graduate of Stevenson University’s Film & Moving Image program. Matt is currently back at Stevenson University, working as the School of Design, Arts, and Communication's Studio Manager.