The moment Netflix unveiled the gripping trailer for its latest edge-of-your-seat thriller of Kelsey Asbille, Don’t Move, we were eager to experience the thrill of fear it promised. The suspenseful yet straight forward editing had our heart pounding in anticipation. What truly impressed us, however, was how the trailer managed to keep the entire plot under wraps, leaving us craving more without revealing too much.
The team behind Don’t Move boasts an exceptional lineup of talent that truly understands the essence of great horror filmmaking.
Directors Adam Schindler and Brian Netto are at the forefront, bringing their expertise to the project. Their collaboration with the iconic Sam Raimi, known for his work on Evil Dead, during the 50 States of Fright anthology on Quibi speaks volumes about their capabilities. Now, with Raimi stepping in as a producer for Don’t Move, the film is set to reach new heights in the horror genre.
In Don’t Move, we follow Iris (played by actress Kelsey Asbille) as she battles for her life after being injected with a paralytic substance. As her nervous system begins to fail, a shadowy killer (Finn Wittrock) stalks her through the depths of the forest.
Though the trailer keeps the assailant hidden from view, his chilling voice echoes ominously, revealing the terrifying fate that awaits Iris as the drug takes hold of her body in just 20 minutes.
Imagine the thrill of being pursued by a killer in the depths of a forest, paralyzed and unable to escape no matter how desperately you wish to flee. This chilling scenario unfolds in Don’t Move, where directors Adam Schindler and Brian Netto challenge us to cast aside our assumptions and embrace the unexpected twists of this thrilling new Netflix film.
According to Adam Schindler, “Netflix has crafted an exceptional trailer that manages to intrigue without giving too much away, and I genuinely believe the film will catch audiences off guard. Many viewers tend to form preconceived notions based on trailers, leading them to assume they know what to expect. However, the feedback we’ve received from our marketing efforts indicates that people are pleasantly surprised, saying, ‘This isn’t what I anticipated.’ They may have a mental image of the concept, but the reality is far more unique. I am thrilled for audiences to experience the film first hand. I hope it delivers the tension and suspense we envision, leaving viewers with a profound sense of exhilaration and emotional resonance. By the end, I want them to reflect on the journey, thinking, that was an incredible experience, and I cherished every second, while also feeling deeply moved.”
As per Director Brian Netto, “You’ll find yourself completely engrossed, and before you know it, you’re already halfway or even three-quarters of the way through. The urge to discover what happens next becomes irresistible. I believe it will captivate audiences and deliver unexpected twists. Viewers might initially think they’re in for a light, easy watch, but they’ll soon be drawn in deeper than they anticipated.”
Collaboration With Sam Raimi
The legendary Sam Raimi played a pivotal role as a producer for Don’t Move. While he is widely recognized for his direction of the Evil Dead horror series and the original Spider-Man trilogy, his expertise in producing gripping thrillers is equally impressive.
In 2019, he took on the role of producer for the intense creature feature Crawl, which tells the harrowing story of a father and daughter trapped in their home’s crawl space, pursued by alligators during a devastating hurricane in Florida.
Adam Schindler commended the collaborative experience with Raimi, highlighting his dynamic approach to crafting “a suspense thriller infused with horror elements.”
As per Adam Schindler, “Collaborating with Sam is an exceptional experience. This marks our second project together, having previously teamed up with him on our 50 States of Fright episode, a horror anthology that aired on Quibi – may it rest in peace. Sam is incredibly hands-on, dedicating countless hours to meticulously reviewing the script alongside us. His commitment to ensuring we understand the emotional responses we aim to evoke from the audience is remarkable, and he meticulously aligns every element to achieve that goal. The feedback he provided on our script was unparalleled, offering insights that are truly invaluable, especially coming from someone with over 40 years of experience at the top of the industry. We felt like we were absorbing a wealth of knowledge during our time with him.”
Discovering The Horror Within Elegance
The classic horror trope often involves fleeing from a murderer under the cover of darkness in a shadowy forest, effectively heightening the audience’s tension and fear. However, in Don’t Move, the chilling pursuit unfolds in the glaring light of day, set against breathtaking landscapes, amplifying the terror.
As Adam Schindler remarked, “It was an exciting challenge for us to stage such a horrific event in such a stunning location; we kept asking ourselves, ‘How do we pull this off?’ A suspense film set in daylight amidst beauty is something we hadn’t encountered before.”
The breathtaking expanse of the Bulgarian woods serves as a stunning backdrop for Don’t Move, yet the film’s tension and sense of isolation are amplified by the expert work of cinematographer Zach Kuperstein, known for his work on Barbarian. Utilizing the Sony Venice camera, he masterfully captures the haunting atmosphere, drawing viewers deeper into the film’s gripping narrative.
Director Brian Netto expressed the intention to convey the sense of isolation experienced by the character, despite her awareness of being in a location that exudes breath-taking beauty. “It’s a stunning environment, yet it simultaneously evokes feelings of smallness and insignificance,” he remarked.
The Horror Reveals Itself In The Moment
The chilling aspect of Don’t Move lies in its real-time storytelling. This exceptional Netflix film unfolds in sync with the characters’ experiences, immersing the audience in a gripping journey where every second feels like a fight for survival.
You won’t just watch the tension; you’ll feel it as if you are right there with them, navigating the harrowing moments alongside the characters.
As per Director Brian Netto, “The experience is nearly instantaneous. We established three key elements we wanted to avoid : voiceovers, being confined solely to her perspective, and straying from a linear narrative. However, these choices ultimately intensified the emotional impact, as we were constantly aware of the looming fear of losing mobility once more. If you find yourself grappling with fears—be it of deep water, tight spaces, or heights—it’s essential to fully explore those moments. Suspense films thrive on building tension, and we aimed to immerse ourselves in that tension as deeply as possible. This approach is what creates that nail-biting anxiety and keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
Don’t Move will be available for streaming on Netflix starting October 25.