Hold Your Breath on Disney+: what if this horror film was the first misstep of one of our favorite actresses? – Cinema News
Sarah Paulson scares us a little in “Hold Your Breath,” but is it for the right reasons? This horror film could well be his first misstep.
What is it about?
In 1930s Oklahoma, the Bellum family finds themselves trapped in terrible dust storms that continue to invade their home. In the absence of her husband who is looking for work, Margaret manages their small farm on a daily basis, supported by her two daughters, Rose and Ollie. While the three strive to survive in this hostile environment, a mysterious stranger infiltrates the house, threatening the family…
Hold Your Breath, a film written by Karrie Crouse and directed by Karrie Crouse and Will Joines with Sarah Paulson, Annaleigh Ashford, Ebon Moss-Bachrach… Available on Disney+
Sarah Paulson's first misstep?
Sarah Paulson, often considered one of the best actresses of her generation, has already proven that she is essential, especially in the field of psychological thriller and horror. Whether in American Horror Story or Ratched, she excels in complex roles, often bordering on the supernatural. However, with Hold Your Breath, we wonder if the actress did not find herself trapped by a scenario that does not do justice to her talent.
The film follows Margaret Bellum (Paulson), a widowed mother, overwhelmed by the loss of her child, desperately trying to protect her two remaining daughters from the threats of a hostile environment, including incessant dust storms.
Sarah Paulson, as usual, offers a sincere and fair performance in her interpretation, bringing depth and gravity to a character marked by mourning and paranoia. She manages to make each moment of increasing madness credible, even when the script struggles to sustain the dramatic intensity it instills.
A scenario not up to Paulson's standards
However, although Paulson does his best to save the film, Hold Your Breath fails to live up to the expectations generated by its intriguing pitch. Particularly because of its slow pace and its excessive use of jump scares that we see coming as big as a house.
If the oppressive atmosphere and the themes of mourning and fear work at times, the supernatural antagonist lacks clarity, leaving the viewer perplexed in the face of a – largely predictable – outcome which does not provide satisfactory answers. The strength of Sarah Paulson is therefore not enough to counterbalance an often confusing scenario and poorly exploited horrific elements.
So, is this a misstep for Sarah Paulson? Maybe. But her acting remains solid, and even in an imperfect film, she proves once again that she knows how to carry difficult roles with unparalleled intensity.