If you enjoy the suspenseful and intense atmosphere of Don’t Move, you might also appreciate other survival thrillers and horror films that share similar themes. These movies often feature protagonists who find themselves in dangerous situations and must rely on their wits and skills to survive.
From the intense wilderness adventure of Deliverance to the silent terror of A Quiet Place: Part II, these films offer a variety of settings and challenges for their characters.
Whether it’s the claustrophobic horror of The Descent or the strategic gameplay of Don’t Breathe, each film provides a thrilling and suspenseful viewing experience, so keep reading this curated list!
1. Deliverance
Deliverance, directed by John Boorman, is a captivating 1970s classic that cemented Burt Reynolds’ status as a hyper-masculine actor. Reynolds, on the other hand, stars with a talented ensemble cast that includes Jon Voight, Ronny Cox, and Ned Beatty.
The plot revolves around four middle-aged friends, most of whom have become fathers, who go on an adventure canoe trip down the wild Cahulawassee River in Appalachia.
Initially intended to alleviate the worries of age, their adventure quickly devolved into a terrifying battle for survival.
A confrontation with threatening locals transforms their adventure into a nightmare, making the river’s rapids appear relatively inconsequential in comparison. You can watch it on Amazon Prime if you find this plot interesting.
2. Hush
Hush (2016) and Don’t Move (2023) are two intense survival horror films with comparable themes and storytelling styles. Both films depict heroes with physical disabilities who must rely on their wits and enhanced senses to survive attacks by merciless attackers.
At Hush, a deaf-mute novelist is confined in her home, and in Don’t Move, an injured lady has to safeguard herself. Both films emphasise the concepts of vulnerability and the power of human will, building suspense through solitude and the necessity of quick thinking.
3. A Quiet Place: Part II
A Quiet Place: Part II, directed by John Krasinski, is another example of a survival horror film that shares similarities with Don’t Move. Both films focus on characters who must survive under extreme constraints.
In A Quiet Place, the Abbott family must remain silent to avoid deadly creatures, while the protagonist in Don’t Move must stay still to evade a killer.
Both films emphasize the importance of ingenuity and heightened senses for survival. In both cases, the characters use their knowledge of their adversaries’ weaknesses to navigate dangerous situations. The tension in both films is built on the constant threat of discovery and the need for restraint.
4. The River Wild
Curtis Hanson directed The River Wild, an adventurous whitewater adventure film starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon. In the movie, Streep plays Gail, a mother who takes her family on a river rafting trip to reconnect with her divorced husband.
Their calm journey is shattered when two criminals kidnap the family and compel Gail to navigate dangerous rapids. The film weaves tension, action, and the power of nature into a compelling survival story.
5. The Descent
Neil Marshall’s The Descent (2005) is a revolutionary feminist horror film that delves into issues of friendship, betrayal, and survival. A party of six ladies embarks on a caving expedition in the Appalachian Mountains, but their adventure takes a horrifying turn when they come upon a tribe of mutant humanoids.
The film is renowned for its powerful female performances and frank depiction of violence and fear.
6. Don’t Breathe
Don’t Breathe (2016) and Don’t Move have comparable survival horror themes, including claustrophobic stress and the need for strategic thinking. In Don’t Breathe, a group of youthful burglars steal into the home of a blind man, who, despite his infirmity, proves to be a foe.
Similarly, in Don’t Move, the protagonist, Iris, must remain calm and silent to avoid a relentless killer. Both films emphasize the value of strong instincts and resourcefulness in solving seemingly impossible challenges.
7. Alone
Alone is a grasping thriller that, like Don’t Move, has a lone protagonist confronting a persistent opponent. Set in the rural Pacific Northwest, Alone follows Jessica, a sad widow who sets out on a road trip to escape her past.
However, her journey is cut short by a violent stranger, who forces her to struggle for survival in the wilderness. Despite her ability to flee, the picture retains a sense of suspense and danger, emphasizing the protagonist’s resourcefulness and determination.
Also Read: Top 5 Harrison Ford Movies of All Time
Conclusion
If you’re captivated by the intense survival themes and nerve-wracking tension of Don’t Move, these films offer a similar rush of adrenaline and suspense. Each movie, from the rugged wilderness of Deliverance and the silence-driven fear of A Quiet Place: Part II, to the claustrophobic horror in The Descent and the strategic evasion in Don’t Breathe, explores the essence of human resilience and cunning in the face of life-threatening danger.
Whether set in wild rivers, desolate forests, or confined spaces, these films promise a gripping experience, showcasing characters’ sheer determination as they battle formidable odds for survival.