The 2016 film Don’t Breathe is a masterclass in modern suspense, flipping the traditional "home invasion" trope on its head. Directed by Fede Álvarez and produced by Sam Raimi, this lean, 88-minute thriller became a massive sleeper hit, grossing over $157 million on a modest $9.9 million budget. It is widely celebrated for its innovative use of sound, claustrophobic setting, and morally ambiguous characters.

The film is set against the backdrop of post-2008 Detroit’s economic decay. Rocky’s poverty and abusive home life are contrasted with the blind man’s hidden wealth. The film asks: How far would you go for a way out?