Hold Your Breath

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2:26

Hold Your Breath

R

2024

1h 34m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In 1930s Oklahoma amid the region's horrific dust storms, a woman is convinced that a sinister presence is threatening her family.

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Critics Consensus

Sarah Paulson is as arresting as ever, but a dearth of incident and scares ultimately robs Hold Your Breath of long-awaited release.

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Abby Monteil

Chicago Reader

Less successful is first-time feature directors Crouse and Joines’s handle on its genre storytelling...as much as a grounded Paulson commits, this cycle of repetitive fake outs manages to make this unique horror setting feel utterly forgettable.

Oct 16, 2024

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Robert Levin

Newsday

It's a fine example of slow-burn and character-driven horror storytelling.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 9, 2024

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Matt Glasby

Empire Magazine

For a debut feature, this dustbowl survival flick shows undeniable promise. But committed performances and striking cinematography can’t stop a shaky narrative crumbling at the last. 

Rated: 2/5

Oct 8, 2024

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Jackie K. Cooper

jackiekcooper.com

As good an actress as Sarah Paulson is, she can't make this film anything special.

Rated: 5/10

Nov 3, 2024

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Jayne Nelson

Radio Times

As credulity is increasingly strained, all the good performances in the world can't offset the tedium.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 25, 2024

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Mel Valentin

That Shelf

As fully committed as she is, even Paulson struggles to elevate [Hold Your Breath's] thin and underdeveloped material, which would probably be better suited to an episode of a horror anthology series.

Oct 20, 2024

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Farah R

Hold Your Breath's setting and art direction are phenomenal. Coupled with great acting, espeically by Sarah Paulson, it's a true shame this horror movie isn't scary or even unsettling.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

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David S

Let’s start with the setting… so on point for a psychological horror. The Dust Bowl. Where people would be cooped up for weeks on end, with little to no stimulation for you brain, to the point of losing your mind. The acting was a masterclass, as I believe other actors should study and try to emulate what these actors portrayed. The writing was unpredictable with many twists and intensity that anyone would appreciate if they enjoy physiological horrors. I’d rate it 88/100 as I think that’s where the audience score should be at.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/25

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Megan D

The setting of this story was monumental. The dust bowl setting feels like a horror story within itself. The strong emotional story this portrays was one you don’t see portrayed this profoundly . If you have a liking for movies with some truth to the story and a twist into more horror , this is for you. This movie brought me so much empathy to the people who went through this devastating time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/25

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Jeffrey P

Masquerading as a supernatural horror, the tension and suspense are good as it’s mask is slowly removed. Better than expected.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/20/25

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nilufer e

It was better than I expected. Sarah Paulson and the girls were great. Despite the reviews I was interested most of the time. But overall it is not a memorable movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/09/25

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SkyRo P

The upcoming 2024 thriller "Hold Your Breath," featuring Sarah Paulson, presents a nostalgic cinematic experience with an unsettling and perplexing narrative. This film falls into that category of being passable; it exists in its own right but struggles to hold the viewer's attention. The dialogue is extensive, leading to moments where the pacing feels sluggish, making it challenging to stay engaged. However, there are flashes of creativity that allow Paulson to step out of her comfort zone, showcasing her ability to embody a different persona. Yet, much of her character seems reminiscent of her previous roles in the horror and thriller genres. After watching it, I found the film rather uneventful. "OK" is the term that best encapsulates my overall impression. It's certainly not a memorable experience; I doubt I’ll recall watching it in a year or two, as it lacks the staying power that would warrant a rewatch. This seems to be a common issue with many contemporary films—they simply don’t invite a second viewing.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/31/25

Full Review

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Karrie Crouse

Director

Will Joines

Director

Sarah Paulson

Margaret Bellum

Amiah Miller

Rose Bellum

Annaleigh Ashford

Esther Smith

Alona Jane Robbins

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Hold Your Breath: Exclusive Featurette - Wall of Death

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Hold Your Breath: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In 1930s Oklahoma amid the region's horrific dust storms, a woman is convinced that a sinister presence is threatening her family.

Director: Karrie Crouse, Will Joines
Producer: Lucas Joaquin, Alix Madigan
Screenwriter: Karrie Crouse
Distributor: Hulu
Production Co: MAD DOG FILMS, Secret Engine, Searchlight Pictures
Rating: R (Disturbing Images|Some Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 3, 2024
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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