Review ‘Hold Your Breath’
Hold Your Breath, co-directed by Karrie Crouse and Will Joines, immerses viewers in the stark, desolate landscape of 1930s Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. With a premise filled with psychological tension and supernatural undertones, the film promises much while Sarah Paulson’s standout performance as a grief-stricken mother battling both external and internal demons is riveting.
The film is set in 1933 and opens with a harrowing dream sequence, setting the tone for Margaret Bellum’s (Sarah Paulson) recurring nightmare of suffocating in a brutal dust storm. This metaphorical and literal suffocation reflects the oppressive environment Margaret and her two daughters, teenager Rose (Amiah Miller) and pre-teen Ollie (Alona Jane Robbins), are trapped in while her husband is away trying to save their failing farm. The setting itself is almost a character—dust infiltrates every crack, symbolizing the creeping dread and emotional turmoil that consumes Margaret.
The narrative weaves elements of supernatural horror with psychological drama. Margaret’s overwhelming grief following the loss of her youngest daughter is central to the film’s emotional weight. Her relentless battle to protect her daughters from the dust—and perhaps even from herself—is compounded by the eerie introduction of the “Grey Man,” a spirit said to ride on the wind, carrying with it doom and destruction. This legend serves as a metaphor for the grief that slowly suffocates Margaret.
Paulson’s performance is the film’s strongest aspect. As a mother on the edge, Paulson captures the nuances of a woman determined to shield her family from external dangers while battling her own internal demons. The supporting cast, particularly Amiah Miller, provides solid performances that add depth to the family dynamic.
However, the film’s major weakness is its script. Despite its rich setting and strong central performance, this movie is hampered by a narrative that feels overly familiar, predictable, and slow. The Grey Man becomes a predictable plot device that lacks the depth needed to sustain the film’s emotional and supernatural stakes.
Moreover, the pacing drags in repetitive scenes of Margaret sealing windows and cleaning dust, which, while atmospheric at first, quickly becomes tiresome. In the final act, the film attempts to tie its themes of maternal resilience, grief, and survival together, but it fails due to underdeveloped subplots. In conclusion, this film offers a captivating central performance by Sarah Paulson, but it ultimately falls short due to its predictable and repetitive script.
Watch the trailer for Hold Your Breath below
Hold Your Breath is Streaming Exclusively on Disney+ in Canada on October 3rd, 2024