Netflix's new thriller is one of the most exciting films of the year

When it comes to new thriller films, Netflix is on the rise. First, the streaming service released the excellent “Rebel Ridge” and then followed up with the even better “Woman of the Hour.” Next up is “Don’t Move,” a survival thriller so intense it might take your breath away.

Don't Move lands on Netflix today (Friday, October 25), and while it has some clear flaws, it probably won't score 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes like the two aforementioned Netflix thrillers – It is still about a streaming original film worth adding to your watchlist. The flick also clocks in at an easy 85 minutes, making it perfect if you need a quick adrenaline rush.

Want to learn more about “Don’t Move” before watching? You've come to the right place. Here's everything you need to know about this new Netflix thriller and why you should take the time to stream it this weekend…

What is “Don’t Move” about?

DO NOT MOVE | Official Trailer | Netflix-YouTube

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Don't Move, from directors Adam Schindler and Brian Netto and producer Sam Raimi, begins with a woman named Iris (Kelsey Asbille) taking a trip into a remote forest. But she is not here to take a peaceful hike through the lush forests, rather she is in deep mourning over the loss of her young son a few months ago.

In the forest she meets a stranger who introduces himself as Richard (Finn Wittrock). At first Richard seems friendly, but his sinister true intentions are soon revealed. He injects Iris with a paralyzing drug and she only has a few minutes before her entire body shuts down and she becomes immobile.

What follows is a deadly game of cat and mouse as Iris tries to escape her tormentor. But how do you escape a psychopathic killer when your limbs are frozen and the only thing you can control are your eyes? In this unthinkable nightmare scenario, Iris can hide but cannot run away.

“Don’t Move” is full of tension and fear

Kelsey Asbille as Iris in "Don't move" Stream now on Netflix

(Image credit: Vladislav Lepoev / Netflix)

The core narrative of “Don’t Move” is fascinating. In a typical survival thriller, the protagonist may not be able to outwit the deranged murderer pursuing him, but he can at least outrun or outwit him. Iris can't do it either. She has to endure her ordeal almost entirely locked up, which leads to some really intense sequences.

This is where “Don’t Move” has the greatest success. The tension is often so palpable that you end up holding your breath out of fear. You can practically feel Iris' burning frustration as she tries unsuccessfully to move her limbs. It's insane but also terrifying, and it's these scenes, like the one where Iris jumps into a rushing river to escape, that are the most memorable.

Unfortunately, even with a brisk running time of 85 minutes (excluding credits), this premise can only be sustained so far, and towards the end of the film, “Don't Move” relies a little too heavily on plot contrivances. How much movement Iris can muster also becomes somewhat inconsistent. However, these problems can be forgiven if you keep up the pace and move the story forward.

Kelsey Asbille as Iris in "Don't move" Stream now on Netflix

(Image credit: Vladislav Lepoev / Netflix)

Without the ability to express herself with her body, let alone her vocal cords, Kelsey Asbille has to do a lot of acting with her eyes. While the Yellowstone alum does a valiant job, it's a little difficult to truly connect with Iris, and without giving away, her big moment in the third act falls a little flat. At least Finn Wittrock is up to the task of playing a suitably menacing antagonist, and his transformation from friendly stranger to predator is quite unsettling.

Viewers who fancy a bit of blood will also get their money's worth. To keep things interesting, a few additional characters are thrown into the mix (a helpful passerby and a nosy cop), and in these moments Iris is removed from the spotlight and instead we see Richard in full swing, using all of the psychopath's tricks Playbook for cleverly convincing these people to believe him. The result is brief but intense moments of violence that raise the stakes even further.

“Disposable” is a word that kept coming to mind while watching “Don’t Move.” That sounds like a criticism on the surface, and I suppose technically it is, but there's also something to be said for an easy-to-watch thriller that's just plain boring. The genre is stripped down to its essentials. There's no doubt that “Don't Move” won't be as memorable to me as “Woman of the Hour,” but it's mostly effective at delivering thrills, and that's its primary goal. It doesn't have to be that way anymore.

Stream “Don’t Move” on Netflix now

Finn Wittrock as Richard in "Don't move" Stream now on Netflix

(Image credit: Vladislav Lepoev / Netflix)

Netflix subscribers devour thriller films, so I suspect “Don't Move” will jump straight into the service's top 10 most-watched films in the coming days. While it doesn't have quite the same level of quality as other recent Netflix productions in the genre, it's still a worthwhile watch, and the pace is brisk enough that you can gloss over the flaws and just enjoy the delicious moments of tension.

If you're looking for something to really get your pulse racing this weekend, “Don't Move” is the perfect choice. And it's also a great seasonal watch for those who want something exciting but without all the jump scares usually found in traditional Halloween films.

If you're not entirely sold on Don't Move or just want a few additional options to add to your watchlist, check these out Netflix movies to be removed from the service next week. Additionally, if you want some Halloween-inspired recommendations, check out our complete 2024 horror movie guide.

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Netflix's new thriller is one of the most exciting films of the year – and you can stream it now

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