Parents' Guide to Don't Move

Simple but interesting premises can sometimes make for decent films. The premise of Don't Move fits in this category. Not an amazing movie by any stretch, this film still manages to do a lot with very little. There are only two leads and two supporting roles, the latter of which only have about 5–10 minutes of screen time each. Thus, the two leads have to be able to carry the entire movie. Finn Wittrock's (American Horror Story) "Richard" and Kelsey Asbille's (Yellowstone) Iris manage to keep things interesting as they bounce off each other with strong chemistry. Further, films like this need a good villain who feels genuinely terrifying. Wittrock manages to convey a serial killer who clearly is unhinged but is still able to pass as a normal husband, father, and family man. While his hubris gets the better of him sometimes, he remains a consistent threat throughout this thriller.

Additionally, films like this often make the error of having characters not act realistically or smartly. For instance, if you've been kidnapped and your assaulter is pursuing you, and you manage to escape, why would you not immediately run and just keep running? Thankfully, there aren't many of these moments (there are one or two) that take the viewer out of the experience. Kelsey Asbille plays Iris intelligently, and her decisions throughout her ordeal mostly feel organic, realistic, and relatable. The film also knows when to throw in a few sudden moments of violence to remind audiences of what "Richard" is capable of. The taut run time, fast pacing, and increasing threat will compel most audiences to the end, if only to see how and if Iris can actually escape her pursuer.