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Action thriller

Don't Breathe 2 (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Don't Breathe 2 (2021) movie poster

Don't Breathe 2 is a 2021 action thriller directed by Rodo Sayagues, starring Stephen Lang as The Blind Man, Madelyn Grace and Stephanie Arcila. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $53.8 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. Critics gave it 43% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
43%
worldwide gross
$53.8M
Echo Score
56
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Don't Breathe 2 (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Director
Rodo Sayagues
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$15M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Don't Breathe 2 About?

The premise of Don't Breathe 2 without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Haunted by his past, Norman Nordstrom struggles to maintain a semblance of peace. However, unsettling encounters and mysterious threats force him to confront the darkness within and a growing danger from outside. He must navigate a perilous path toward redemption, facing new challenges that test his resolve and threaten to shatter the fragile calm he has found.

Don't Breathe 2 Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • blind man
  • home invasion
  • ex navy seal
  • old blind man
  • rottweiler
  • military veteran
  • sole survivor
  • needing an organ transplant
  • rescuing a kidnapped child
  • house on fire
  • blind protagonist
  • sequel
+38 more
  • blood
  • violence
  • blindness
  • bloody violence
  • gore
  • trapped in a burning building
  • murder
  • dog killed
  • death of dog
  • killing a dog
  • owner dog relationship
  • man dog relationship
  • saving a dog's life
  • organ harvesting
  • child organ harvesting
  • forced organ harvesting
  • organ trafficking
  • heart transplant
  • navy seal
  • abducted child raised by abductor as their own child
  • turning the tables
  • children's shelter
  • unnamed character
  • backwoods
  • phoenix rising
  • second part
  • hammer
  • handgun
  • gunfight
  • home
  • house
  • safe
  • grindhouse film
  • actor reprises previous role
  • numbered sequel
  • old man
  • attempted murder
  • feeding a dog
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Cast & crew

Don't Breathe 2 Cast & Characters

Stephen Lang leads the cast as The Blind Man, with Madelyn Grace as Phoenix and Stephanie Arcila as Hernandez. Directed by Rodo Sayagues; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Don't Breathe 2

· 8 more
Ratings

Don't Breathe 2 Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Don't Breathe 2 43% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 56/100, strongest in character & emotion (65) and weakest in story & flow (45).

56 /100

Don't Breathe 2 Echo Score Breakdown

Don’t Breathe 2 delivers intermittent bursts of tension and competent technical work, yet its narrative coherence and originality falter for many viewers. Critics acknowledge the film’s atmospheric craft and occasional thrills, while several reviewers criticize its scattered plot and shift toward generic action. The mixed reception reflects a sequel that offers moments of engagement but struggles to sustain the impact of its predecessor, resulting in an overall middling impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 62

    In terms of art and craft, the sequel showcases solid direction and controlled cinematography that echo the first film’s style. Reviewers note the precise framing and effective sound design that heighten claustrophobic tension. However, some critics find the visual execution merely competent and not innovative, leading to a respectable yet unremarkable technical score.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character and emotion, Stephen Lang’s performance is widely praised for its nuanced menace. Several users commend the memorable portrayals and the chemistry that sustains the thriller’s core. Nonetheless, concerns about the villain’s shift to a heroic role and inconsistent depth in supporting characters temper the overall character assessment.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Story and flow present the sequel’s greatest challenge, with many noting a fragmented plot and uneven pacing. Critics describe the narrative as derivative and occasionally nonsensical, while a few appreciate its subversive take on hero‑villain dynamics. The prevalence of plot criticism results in a lower story rating.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory experience remains a relative strength, featuring effective sound design and a stark visual palette that reinforce tension. Reviewers highlight the auditory cues that act as narrative weapons and the gritty aesthetic that maintains suspense. Some find the gore and visual style excessive for certain settings, but overall the sensory components are competent.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch factor is mixed; the film offers occasional thrills that may reward a second viewing for fans of the original, yet many consider it an unnecessary sequel. Positive comments focus on its occasional fresh ideas, while negative feedback emphasizes a lack of lasting appeal and a sense of fatigue, yielding an average replay value.

Plot

Don't Breathe 2 Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Don't Breathe 2 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Eight years after the harrowing events of the first film, Norman Nordstrom, portrayed by Stephen Lang, leads a quiet life in the decaying suburbs of Detroit alongside his 11-year-old daughter Phoenix, played by Madelyn Grace, and their loyal pet Rottweiler, Shadow. Norman recounts to Phoenix a story of their past, explaining that they once lived in a different house that burned down in a tragic fire, taking her mother with it.

Full summary

The whole story of Don't Breathe 2, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Don't Breathe 2 Box Office & Budget

Don't Breathe 2 grossed $53.8 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, 3.6 times what it cost. $32.7 million came from the US and Canada and $21.1 million (39%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$53.8M

3.6× its budget

US & Canada
$32.7M
International
$21.1M
Budget
$15M
US & Canada 61% Rest of the world 39%
Videos

Don't Breathe 2 Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Dark AF Restricted Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Don't Breathe 2?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of Norman's daughter in the film?

Cars

Cars in Don't Breathe 2

4 cars on screen, including the Chevrolet Chevy Van and the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor.

  • Chevrolet Chevy Van in Don't Breathe 2 Chevrolet Chevy Van Important role
  • 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor in Don't Breathe 2 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Important role
  • 1969 Jeep Gladiator in Don't Breathe 2 1969 Jeep Gladiator Minor role
  • 1991 Chevrolet Caprice in Don't Breathe 2 1991 Chevrolet Caprice Background role

Seen Don't Breathe 2?

FAQ

Don't Breathe 2 FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Don't Breathe 2, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Don't Breathe 2?

Don't Breathe 2 runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).

When was Don't Breathe 2 released?

Don't Breathe 2 was released on August 13, 2021.

Who directed Don't Breathe 2?

Don't Breathe 2 was directed by Rodo Sayagues.

More films by Rodo Sayagues

Who is in the cast of Don't Breathe 2?

Don't Breathe 2 stars Stephen Lang as The Blind Man, Madelyn Grace as Phoenix and Stephanie Arcila as Hernandez, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Don't Breathe 2 make at the box office?

Don't Breathe 2 grossed $53.8 million worldwide ($32.7 million domestic, $21.1 million international) on a budget of $15 million.

How is Don't Breathe 2 rated?

Don't Breathe 2 has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 43% on Rotten Tomatoes, 46 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Does Don't Breathe 2 have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Don't Breathe 2 has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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