Building a Pared-Down Post-Apocalyptic Future

Creating a post-apocalyptic world on a budget requires resourcefulness and imagination. The science-fiction thriller Breathe, set in 2039, showcases plenty of creativity in its world-building. In this dystopian future, pollution has made Earth’s air toxic, leading to mass fatalities and forcing survivors to rely on gas masks and oxygen tanks. While the film captures the doomsday mood with convincing shots of a decaying New York City, much of the world-building is achieved through visual cues like filters and color correction. The filmmakers give Brooklyn an unsettling orange hue, reminiscent of other post-apocalyptic settings like Fallout’s nuclear wasteland.

The Cast and Characters of Breathe

A noteworthy aspect of Breathe is its cast, particularly the grown-up Quvenzhané Wallis from Beasts of the Southern Wild, who portrays Zora in the film. Zora is the teenage daughter of scientist Darius (Common) and his wife Maya (Jennifer Hudson), living in a Brooklyn bunker with a sophisticated filtration system to survive the contaminated environment.

Breathe Gallery

Economical Storytelling and Intense Standoffs

Breathe’s storytelling mirrors its production design – economical yet effective. The film avoids unnecessary exposition, focusing instead on establishing the close-knit relationships between the survivors. The narrative unfolds as Maya and Zora, left alone after Darius’ disappearance, encounter strangers from Philadelphia seeking oxygen supply solutions. Tensions rise as the characters question each other’s motives and past connections, leading to an intense standoff in the decaying city streets.

The Flaw in the Ambiguity of Breathe

While Breathe excels at creating suspense and urgency, it falls short in delivering a clear message. The allegory of trust and community appears muddled, with elements like COVID optics and references to Malcolm X’s autobiography hinting at deeper themes without fully exploring them. The film’s binary portrayal of characters as either scrupulous or not limits the complexity of the narrative.

Efficiency vs. Skimpiness in Breathe

With a runtime of 93 minutes, Breathe offers a concise viewing experience, catering to those wary of lengthy films. However, the film’s brisk pace may sacrifice depth for brevity, leaving the drama feeling rushed by the end. While some sci-fi movies indulge in elaborate world-building, Breathe could benefit from a bit more room for its narrative to breathe.