The “Samara Weaving Covered in Blood” trope is highly regarded among horror enthusiasts, but another equally celebrated motif is “Sarah Paulson Screaming.” Paulson has built a substantial following within the horror community, primarily due to her performances across nine seasons of American Horror Story from 2011 to 2021. My favorite characters of hers are the conjoined twins, Bette and Dot Tattler from the Freak Show season.
Her ability to express intense emotion and navigate complex characters has earned her widespread acclaim and a loyal fanbase. Consequently, when it was announced that Paulson would star in a Hulu original film, Hold Your Breath, it generated considerable excitement and anticipation within the horror community.
This news prompted many fans to add the movie to their watchlists, eager to see how Paulson’s talents would be showcased in this new project.
Hold Your Breath is directed by Karrie Crouse and William Joines. Crouse also wrote the script and is best known for writing for the HBO series, Westworld, which I enjoyed in its earlier seasons. While they often collaborate, I am unfamiliar with their other works.
The film takes place in Oklahoma in the 1930s, a time and setting deeply affected by the devastating Dust Bowl. This historical period is characterized by severe drought, agricultural collapse and widespread dust storms, creating a bleak and haunting atmosphere. Not many horror thrillers explore this unique backdrop, which adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.
The desolate landscapes, with their ghostly remnants of farms and a struggling rural community provide the perfect setting for unsettling events to unfold, heightening the tension throughout the story.
Margaret, played by Paulson, manages her two daughters on their farm while her husband is away for a construction job. She is coping with the grief of losing her youngest daughter to a widespread illness that is still affecting their community. Due to her grief, she has been known to sleepwalk, which sometimes leads to violent episodes; therefore, she takes medication to help prevent this. Her two surviving daughters are healthy overall, although the younger one is deaf and mute from scarlet fever.
Rose, the older daughter in this story, reads a tale to her younger sister, Ollie, about “The Grey Man.” This mysterious figure is made of dust and can enter the bodies of his victims if they breathe him in, allowing him to control them.
Meanwhile, their mother learns about a drifter who broke into a neighbor’s house and killed the entire family. When Margaret and her daughters discover a stranger in their barn — Wallace (played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach) — they suspect he might be the drifter. However, the man claims that Margaret’s husband sent him to check on them. He states that he is a preacher and can perform miracles, which he appears to do during his time with the family.
This marks the beginning of a chaotic sequence of events, where bizarre occurrences unfold with somewhat increasing intensity.
However, as I attempt to summarize the film here, it becomes apparent how fragmented the script is. Numerous plot points are introduced throughout the story, yet many remain underdeveloped, leading to a disorienting viewing experience. Additionally, certain scenes are repeated multiple times, detracting from the overall narrative and becoming wearisome and frustrating for the audience. The lack of coherence and the frequent redundancy undermine the film’s potential impact, leaving viewers more perplexed than engaged.
Let’s dive into the primary reason we’re all gathered here: Sarah Paulson. She is an extraordinarily talented actress who consistently delivers powerful performances, bringing depth and nuance to every character she embodies. Her ability to convey a wide range of emotions through her expressions and mannerisms is genuinely remarkable, and this role is no exception.
In this particular production, Paulson expertly portrays a mother grappling with profound grief as she navigates an increasingly chaotic and unsettling world. As the story unfolds, her character experiences a gradual descent into madness, illustrating the psychological toll that grief and external circumstances can take on herself and her family.
What makes this film particularly noteworthy is the exceptional caliber of Paulson’s performance. Truthfully, this production is fortunate to have an actress of her caliber; without her compelling presence and skill, I doubt the film would have the same impact or grab my attention. Many others would share a similar sentiment.
This movie has an identity crisis, as the writer couldn’t choose a clear direction. Initially, I was captivated by the striking imagery of the dust storms and the eerie legend of “The Grey Man,” which set a mysterious tone that piqued my curiosity. However, as the story unfolded and the Wallace character was introduced, I became increasingly confused about the plot’s direction.
The second act evoked memories of the film Bug, featuring Ashley Judd, with the dust and how it can seep through every nook without escape. This shift felt jarring as the film shifted gears away from its initial intrigue. By the time the third act rolled around, I was taken aback by its transformation into a storyline reminiscent of Amityville Horror and possible possession.
This disjointed progression left me questioning the film’s overall coherence and aim. I enjoyed the last 30 minutes, but the journey was confusing, making me question if the first hour was worthwhile.
Overall, I rate Hold Your Breath two-and-a-half out of five stars. There is significant potential for a compelling horror movie here; however, I would ultimately classify it more as a psychological thriller. The film certainly took a darker turn in the third act, and I appreciate that it didn’t shy away from sensitive subjects without going too far. I commend the directors and writers for that, plus Paulson’s performance.
Still, I find it to be a rather forgettable watch.