Thriller ‘Don’t Breathe’ will have you holding your breath

Taut and tense for two-thirds, the grisly home-invasion chiller “Don’t Breathe” takes an unfortunate left turn with a ridiculous, gross plot twist that elicited squirms, groans and laughs from a very responsive audience.

The second effort from skilled writer-director Fede Alvarez, who remade an interesting “Evil Dead” in 2013, also succumbs to too many teases and fal se endings, but has merit as a crowd-pleasing ultra-violent fright night.

In Detroit, three young adults get their kicks and cash from robbing rich people who just happen to be clients of one father’s home security business. Alex (Dylan Minnette) takes the keys undetected, and with knowledge of how these systems work, helps pals Rocky (Jane Levy) and her thug boyfriend Money (Daniel Zovatto) pull the heists.

Their next target promises easy money — a blind military veteran who is rumored to keep a major cash settlement in the home. The $300,000 windfall is from his only daughter’s wrongful death lawsuit.

They will be able to escape their dead—end lives in the Motor City and move to California. Although reluctant, Alex obviously feels something more for Rocky, so he assists when every impulse is to run.

They quickly discover the Blind Man (Stephen Lang) will not be a willing victim. Heavily armed and combat-trained, he also has secrets that will be revealed.

His old rundown home becomes a house of horrors for the intruders, as they try to escape through a terrifying maze of dark shadows, locked doors and barred windows, with a vicious Rottweiler eager to attack too.

Performances: Despite the trio and the war hero being stock characters from any number of scary movies, the actors make their roles as sympathetic as they can.

Levy (“Suburgatory”) showed much promise in the “Evil Dead” remake and looks like a young Reese Witherspoon here. She is desperate to get her younger sister away from their trashy mother.

Minnette (“Goosebumps”) is a much more likable guy than Zovatto’s (“It Follows”) oafish punk Money.

Lang (“Avatar”) is a surprisingly resourceful and formidable foe for the burglars, although he is silent for much of the film. It’s only later, when he starts talking, that the script becomes problematic.

What Works: By having the victim sight-impaired enhances the suspense because of his heightened hearing — every creak and cellphone sound —triggers more danger.

Having the home in an abandoned neighborhood is a convenience that prevents help from arriving quickly and wards off suspicions.

Cinematographer Pedro Lugue’s fluid camera work creates a constant state of fear, amplified with the claustrophic old house setting.

Roque Banos’ music score is also a plus for creating dread.

What Doesn’t Work: While credibility is strained in the final 30 minutes, the first plot twist does make the situation more interesting. But that second plot twist jumps the shark bigtime. More character development would have helped the wobbly plot.

Nevertheless, if you are a fan of this genre, you won’t let the drawn-out conclusion and the potential set-up for a sequel deter you from liking this thriller. Besides, it has some doozy scares and genuine jumps. Alvarez knows how to set a mood and prey on our fears.

However, you won’t be able to look at a turkey baster this Thanksgiving without being repulsed.

This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 1:37 PM with the headline "Thriller ‘Don’t Breathe’ will have you holding your breath."