Hold Your Breath 2024 Watch on 123films

Hold Your Breath 2024 Watch on 123films

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In 2024, it appears that the influence of COVID is pervasive in the horror genre. While narratives centered on isolation have historically been integral to horror, the lockdowns imposed in 2020 have added a new layer to stories depicting parents descending into madness over potential threats lurking outside their homes. Following the release of the similarly themed “Never Let Go,” Hulu has introduced another tale of maternal instability in Karrie Crouse and Will Joines’ “Hold Your Breath,” which premiered at TIFF last month. The film features a commendable performance by Sarah Paulson; however, it ultimately proves to be a frustrating experience, presenting a series of impactful scenes that lack the cohesive tension necessary to engage the audience. It is a film rich in moments yet devoid of sustained momentum.

Set in 1933 Oklahoma during the peak of the dust storms, “Hold Your Breath” portrays a mother, Margaret Bellum (played by Paulson), who navigates this barren environment while her husband is away, tending to their two surviving children, Rose (Amiah Miller) and Ollie (Alona Jane Robbins). One evening, Rose shares a story with Ollie about the Gray Man, a legendary figure that lurks in the dust and shadows, capable of infiltrating one’s soul and inciting “terrible things.” This raises the question: is there a malevolent force within the dust storms that can drive ordinary individuals to madness and unspeakable acts?

Hold Your Breath 2024 Watch on 123films

The threat level facing the Bellums escalates with the emergence of rumors regarding a man who has committed murder against a nearby family. Consequently, they must now contend with the dangers posed by the dust, the Gray Man, and this enigmatic wanderer. However, perhaps the most alarming threat lies in Margaret’s declining mental health. She experiences episodes of sleepwalking at night and is plagued by terrifying visions of severe dust storms. A parallel can be drawn between Margaret and Esther (Annaleigh Ashford), another local mother who appears to be experiencing a similar decline. The challenges of raising children during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s are unimaginable, and there exists a deeper narrative concerning how maternal pressures can manifest into madness under certain circumstances. Paulson excels in portraying this mental instability, grappling with the uncertainty of whether the danger to her daughters is external or rooted within herself.

“Hold Your Breath” features several well-crafted scenes, particularly two involving a preacher portrayed by Ebon Moss-Bachrach from “The Bear.” In his initial appearance, he emerges from a barn reminiscent of Nosferatu rising from a coffin—an impactful visual in a film that lacks such striking imagery. Later, a tense interaction around a dining table is expertly executed by both Paulson and Moss-Bachrach. Additionally, there is a poignant moment where Margaret must feign sanity in front of the locals to prevent them from taking her children, although this scene feels somewhat rushed in the editing process.

The rhythms that emerge from the haze of “Hold Your Breath” may not suffice to endorse the film, yet they suggest a more compelling narrative obscured by chaos. These instances do not depend on the Gray Man or computer-generated imagery of swirling dust. They recognize that the most profound fear stems from a mother teetering on the brink of madness, focusing on the performances rather than an elaborate premise. Ultimately, nothing can evoke a sense of breathlessness quite like a talented actress excelling in her craft.