At a brisk 92 minutes, "Don't Move" stays within the “Goldilocks zone” for thrillers—just long enough to grip the audience without overstaying its welcome. However, cracks begin to show, especially when the film’s more outlandish moments are scrutinized. As a straightforward, no-frills thriller, "Don't Move" delivers a quick adrenaline rush, but it doesn’t reach much deeper than that.
The story centers on Iris (Kelsey Asbille), a grieving mother struggling with the loss of her son, Mateo, after a tragic hiking accident. She returns to the site of his death, a remote forest, contemplating suicide. There, she encounters Richard (Finn Wittrock), a seemingly compassionate stranger who talks her out of her despair. Yet, when they cross paths again at the start of the trail, Iris discovers Richard’s darker side: a ruthless killer who injects her with a paralytic drug, setting her on a desperate fight for survival before she loses the ability to move.
With its intriguing premise, the film could have aptly been called "Can’t Move". Unlike many generic thrillers, "Don't Move" does manage to capture attention, though some of the antagonist’s antics unintentionally veer into self-sabotage. While horror movies often feature hapless victims making poor choices, here, it’s the killer himself who seems to seal his own fate with a string of reckless and clueless decisions. On the acting front, Finn Wittrock stands out as the charming yet menacing Richard, bringing depth to an otherwise straightforward villain. Kelsey Asbille, however, struggles to make her role as a paralyzed protagonist compelling, likely due to limited opportunities for dynamic expression and the basic, no-frills approach the film takes. The film introduces a few elements hinting at Iris’s character evolution, though these moments feel underdeveloped, leaving her emotional journey somewhat flat.
Ultimately, "Don't Move" doesn’t fully capitalize on its promising premise. While it’s entertaining enough to keep audiences engaged, it doesn’t deliver anything particularly memorable or innovative. Casual thriller fans may appreciate its brisk pace and suspense, but those seeking a more layered horror experience might leave wanting.
Don't Move Movie Review: Simple Barebones Thriller
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