Don't Breathe 2
The Blind Man has been hiding out for several years in an isolated cabin and has taken in and raised a young girl orphaned from a devastating house fire. Their quiet life together is shattered when a group of criminals kidnap the girl, forcing the Blind Man to leave his safe haven to save her.
Despite a respectable budget of $15.0M, Don't Breathe 2 became a commercial success, earning $53.8M worldwide—a 259% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Don't Breathe 2 (2021) showcases precise narrative design, characteristic of Rodo Sayagues's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Norman (The Blind Man) lives isolated in his fortified home, training his adopted daughter Phoenix in survival skills. He's protective but loving, trying to give her a normal life despite his dark past.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Phoenix sneaks out to town and is recognized by a group led by Raylan. A house fire breaks out when intruders attempt to kidnap Phoenix, severely injuring Norman.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Norman leaves the hospital and arms himself, choosing to enter the criminal underworld to track down Phoenix. He actively decides to embrace his violent skills to save his daughter., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Norman locates the hideout but is captured and tortured. Phoenix realizes her biological family are monsters willing to kill her for her heart. The stakes escalate - both are now prisoners., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Phoenix learns the full truth about Norman's crimes from the first film. She rejects him, choosing her blood family. Norman is left broken and alone, seemingly having lost his daughter's love - his only redemption., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Phoenix realizes her biological family will kill her and that Norman, despite his past, truly loves her. She chooses the family built on love over blood. Norman gains new resolve to save her or die trying., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Don't Breathe 2's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Don't Breathe 2 against these established plot points, we can identify how Rodo Sayagues utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Don't Breathe 2 within the thriller genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include Eye for an Eye, Lake Placid and Operation Finale.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Norman (The Blind Man) lives isolated in his fortified home, training his adopted daughter Phoenix in survival skills. He's protective but loving, trying to give her a normal life despite his dark past.
Theme
Norman tells Phoenix: "The only people you can count on is family." The film explores redemption, whether monsters can become fathers, and if love can overcome past sins.
Worldbuilding
Eight years after the first film. Norman has created a protective cocoon for Phoenix, teaching her self-defense and keeping her sheltered. She yearns for connection with the outside world but he insists the world is dangerous.
Disruption
Phoenix sneaks out to town and is recognized by a group led by Raylan. A house fire breaks out when intruders attempt to kidnap Phoenix, severely injuring Norman.
Resistance
Phoenix is taken by the intruders who claim to be her real family. Norman recovers in the hospital, learning Phoenix has been kidnapped. Despite his injuries and blindness, he prepares to rescue her.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Norman leaves the hospital and arms himself, choosing to enter the criminal underworld to track down Phoenix. He actively decides to embrace his violent skills to save his daughter.
Mirror World
Phoenix learns disturbing truths about her origins from her biological mother Josephine - she was stolen as a baby. This subplot explores the nature of family: biology versus love.
Premise
Norman hunts through Detroit's criminal network while Phoenix discovers her captors' true agenda - they need her for an organ transplant. Norman uses his lethal skills, turning his blindness into an advantage in darkened environments.
Midpoint
Norman locates the hideout but is captured and tortured. Phoenix realizes her biological family are monsters willing to kill her for her heart. The stakes escalate - both are now prisoners.
Opposition
Norman and Phoenix are separated in the compound. The villains tighten their control, preparing for the organ harvest. Norman's injuries worsen and his past sins are revealed to Phoenix, threatening their bond.
Collapse
Phoenix learns the full truth about Norman's crimes from the first film. She rejects him, choosing her blood family. Norman is left broken and alone, seemingly having lost his daughter's love - his only redemption.
Crisis
Norman faces his darkest moment, believing he deserves to lose Phoenix because of his past. Phoenix processes the horror of what Norman did, struggling between the father who raised her and the monster he was.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Phoenix realizes her biological family will kill her and that Norman, despite his past, truly loves her. She chooses the family built on love over blood. Norman gains new resolve to save her or die trying.
Synthesis
Norman and Phoenix reunite and fight together against Raylan and the criminals. Father and daughter combine their skills in a brutal finale, with Phoenix embracing Norman's teachings while Norman sacrifices himself to protect her.
Transformation
Phoenix and Norman survive, their bond stronger. Norman has found redemption through love and sacrifice. Phoenix, now understanding the complexity of morality, chooses to stay with her father. They remain family.