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Warning: Spoilers for Don’t Move.
Don’t Move, Netflix’s latest installment in the horror thriller genre, introduces us to Iris, portrayed by Kelsey Asbille. Struggling with the grief of losing her son Mateo, played by Denis Kostadinov, in a hiking accident, Iris finds herself at the very cliff where her son fell. Grappling with her sorrow, she contemplates ending her own life. It is then that she encounters Richard, portrayed by Finn Wittrock—a seemingly amiable stranger who manages to convince her to consider life again. However, as they stroll back to their vehicles in the parking lot, Richard’s true intentions come to light when he ambushes her, capturing her before she can react.
Upon regaining consciousness, Iris finds herself bound and trapped in Richard’s vehicle. Panic sets in, but she quickly remembers the knife she had brought with her, which Richard overlooked during her abduction. After freeing herself, she confronts Richard, but their struggle results in a crash into a nearby tree. Amid chaotic tussling, Iris seizes the opportunity to escape into the wilderness, only to hear Richard chillingly inform her that a paralytic drug he injected is now working through her system and will incapacitate her in about 20 minutes. Her flight from danger evolves into a race against time, illustrating the film’s escalating intensity.
Release Date: October 25, 2024
Directors: Brian Netto, Adam Schindler
Cast: Kelsey Asbille, Finn Wittrock, Daniel Francis, Moray Treadwell, Denis Kostadinov, Kate Nichols, Skye Little Wing Dimov Saw, Dylan Beam
Runtime: 92 Minutes
Main Genre: Horror
Writers: T.J. Cimfel, David White
What Happens to Iris After the Paralytic Drug Takes Effect?
As the paralytic drug starts to weaken Iris, she fights desperately against the impending paralysis. With a timer ticking down on her smartwatch, the urgency of her situation heightens. When Richard tracks her down, Iris jumps into nearby water, hoping to evade him. She floats downstream and barely manages to crawl to safety on land, just as her body succumbs to the drug’s effects.
In a twist of fate, she is found by Bill, played by Moray Treadwell, who initially helps her, carrying her to his cabin. However, the safety in his home is short-lived; Richard arrives shortly thereafter. As Iris warns Bill of the danger, he hides her behind a couch just as Richard attempts to manipulate his way inside. Moments later, their confrontation ends tragically when Richard kills Bill, exacerbating the horror Iris faces.
Richard’s Secret Requires a Change of Plans
Following the chaos in the cabin, Iris learns of Richard’s hidden life during a phone call he takes. She discovers that he has a family—a wife and daughter—who are unaware of his nefarious activities and plan to visit the cabin shortly. This unexpected complication sends Richard’s carefully laid plans into a tailspin, amplifying the dangers for Iris and setting the stage for critical confrontations.
After being taken back into Richard’s control, Iris struggles to regain her strength. At a gas station, her attempt to cry for help backfires when Richard viciously murders a responding police officer. As Richard grows increasingly desperate, he transports her to a secluded canoe on a lake—an ominous setting for his final plans.
Mateo’s Boat Saves the Day
In a fortunate turn of events, Iris begins to feel movement returning to her body. She musters the bravery to fight back against Richard, but her initial attempt to inject him with his own drug falls short. As he prepares to conclude her fate in the canoe, she cleverly requests to see Mateo’s red boat, still linked to her memories of him. In this moment of vulnerability, she seizes the opportunity to stab Richard, igniting a fierce struggle. Ultimately, she manages to take his gun and shoots him multiple times, but the damage has been done— the canoe begins to sink.
Though weakened, Iris manages to break free from the sinking canoe and surfaces in the water. As she makes her way to shore, Richard, now wounded and gasping, is left behind. In a haunting echo of his past, Iris thanks him—reminiscent of a moment that once defined both their lives. This chilling closing scene encapsulates the transformation of both characters, serving as a poignant commentary on trauma, survival, and the consequences of violence. Stream on Netflix.
Source
movieweb.com