Kyle Gallner stars as a man desperately fighting his own rage in Just Breathe, a tense thriller that pits him against a manipulative parole officer. The film is an intense, plot-driven ride that works almost entirely because of its strong lead performances. While it’s entertaining in the moment, its straightforward nature and flat execution keep it from leaving a lasting impression.
Just Breathe Review
Just Breathe tells the story of Nick (Kyle Gallner), a man trapped in a cycle of toxic masculinity whose violent temper has cost him everything. After serving time for assault, he is released with one goal: to prove he’s changed and reunite with his girlfriend, Mel (Emyri Crutchfield). But the film astutely notes that rehabilitation is never simple. He finds Mel trying to piece her own life back together, and their reunion is complicated by a cruel twist of fate: her landlord is Chester (Shawn Ashmore), Nick’s manipulative new parole officer. This isn’t a coincidence; Chester has a sinister plan to win Mel for himself, actively working to undermine the very progress Nick is desperate to make.
The film’s core conflict is a delicate cat-and-mouse game. Nick is trying to prove he’s a changed man, but Chester constantly tests his anger management, creating situations designed to make him snap. The story leans into this tension, and it’s in these dramatic moments that the film works best. Gallner, who has built an impressive career playing men on the verge of collapse in indie horror, is fantastic here. He channels that same frantic, wide-eyed energy but tamps it down with a world-weary sorrow.
It’s a performance built on subtleties: the constant clenching of a jaw, the restless tapping of a finger, the way his eyes dart around a room, constantly assessing for threats. This physicality makes his internal struggle feel palpable, balancing explosive anger with a desperate vulnerability that makes him a compelling and believable watch.
Smallville Star Kyle Gallner Demands James Gunn Cast Him Instead of Stephen Amell in DCU Green Arrow Movie
Playing opposite him, Shawn Ashmore is terrific as the villainous Chester. His performance borders on dark comedy, not because the script is funny, but because his schemes are so brazenly diabolical. Ashmore plays Chester with a chillingly pleasant facade, a “gee-whiz” suburban dad persona that makes his underlying cruelty all the more jarring. The way he delivers a veiled threat with a smile is genuinely unsettling and provides the film with its most memorable, if pulpy, moments.
While the dynamic between Gallner and Ashmore is the engine that drives the movie, Emyri Crutchfield is also very good as Mel, bringing a quiet strength to a character caught in the middle. Their collective performances elevate what is otherwise a very simple script.
Is Just Breathe worth watching?
Unfortunately, the film falters whenever the focus shifts from its lead actors. The script is so plot-driven that it leaves little room for reflection. This is compounded by uninspired technical elements. The cinematography relies on flat, conventional lighting and standard shot-reverse-shot coverage that captures the action but does nothing to build suspense or reflect Nick’s fractured state of mind. The score is similarly generic, swelling when it’s supposed to but rarely adding any real texture to the atmosphere. It’s a disappointingly safe approach, especially for a film starring Gallner, whose best work is often visually dynamic. The thin plot simply can’t support the runtime without the actors’ compelling work.
Ultimately, Just Breathe is a solid thriller that provides a hundred minutes of intense entertainment. The twists and turns are engaging, and the lead actors are excellent. However, it’s a film that’s easily forgotten once it’s over. It’s an entertaining ride that serves its purpose as a compelling, if disposable, thriller. It’s just not a film that will stick with you for very long after the lights come up.
Just Breathe is in on VOD on September 15.
