Brief Summary
"Don't Breathe" is a crime thriller about three young adults in Detroit who break into the house of a blind veteran, thinking they'll find a large sum of money. However, they soon realize they've underestimated their target, as the veteran turns out to be more dangerous than they anticipated. The situation escalates as the veteran hunts them down, revealing dark secrets and forcing them to fight for their lives.
- Three young burglars target a blind veteran's house for a supposed $300,000 settlement.
- The veteran proves to be a formidable and dangerous adversary.
- The burglars uncover disturbing secrets within the house, including a captive woman.
- The protagonist, Rocky, fights to protect herself and her sister, ultimately escaping with the money.
- The veteran survives and conceals the truth about the robbery, allowing Rocky to start a new life.
The Burglary Crew and Their Motives
In an abandoned Detroit neighborhood, a group of young burglars—Rocky, Alex, and Money—break into a house, adhering to their rules of only taking items under $10,000 and avoiding cash. Alex, the nervous one, returns the stolen key to his father, who works in home security. Money learns about a potential score from a fence: a veteran rumored to have a $300,000 settlement from his daughter's death. Rocky is particularly motivated by the prospect of using the money to move to California and provide a better life for her younger sister, escaping their difficult home situation.
Planning the Heist
The trio stakes out the veteran's house, confirming his blindness and the presence of a Rottweiler. Alex expresses ethical concerns about robbing a blind man, but Rocky's determination to save her sister prevails. They drug the dog and discover that Alex's stolen keys don't work. Rocky enters through a small window, disables the alarm, and finds pictures of the veteran's deceased daughter.
The Robbery Gone Wrong
Inside the house, the group searches for the safe. Money attempts to chloroform the veteran but is discovered, leading to a confrontation. Money shoots the bolted door, alarming Alex, who decides to leave. The veteran appears, and Money is killed. Alex returns to help Rocky, and they find the safe. Rocky takes the money, and they attempt to escape through the basement.
Discoveries in the Basement
In the basement, Alex and Rocky discover a woman tied up. They realize she is the one who killed the veteran's daughter. Rocky decides to help her, but the veteran ambushes them, killing the woman. He then turns off the lights and chases Alex and Rocky through the basement.
Desperate Escape
The Rottweiler corners Alex and Rocky on the second floor. Rocky escapes through a vent, while Alex is attacked by the veteran and falls through a window. The dog chases Rocky through the vent, and she jumps into a vertical shaft. The veteran shoots at Alex, and then beats him unconscious with gardening tools.
The Veteran's Dark Secret
Rocky wakes up in the shaft and is captured by the veteran. She finds herself tied up in the basement. The veteran reveals his plan to impregnate her with his sperm, believing it is a fair exchange for the death of his daughter and the captive girl's death.
The Final Confrontation
Alex, who was not fatally stabbed, frees himself and locks the dog in the room. He rescues Rocky, and they leave the veteran chained up. As they try to escape, the veteran shoots Alex. Rocky is chased by the Rottweiler but manages to trap it in Money's car. The veteran captures her again, but she activates the alarm, disorienting him and allowing her to push him into the basement.
Escape and Aftermath
Rocky escapes with the money as the police arrive. She and her sister are at an airport bar, where she learns that the veteran survived. The news report omits her involvement and the missing money, allowing Rocky to start a new life in California with her sister.
