'31 Nights of Horror' Day 9: Hold Your Breath

Paulson Shines, But 'Hold Your Breath' Falls Short

Hey, ghouls! 31 Nights of Horror is here, serving up daily scares with reviews of classic and new horror films. Watch for chilling lists and other spine-tingling pieces. Keep your lights on… the terror begins now

Hold Your Breath, starring the ever-talented Sarah Paulson, delivers a moody psychological horror set in 1930s Oklahoma, where dust storms are as fierce as the emotions bubbling under the surface. Paulson plays Margaret, a mother spiraling into paranoia as she fights to protect her daughters from a mysterious threat. While Paulson shines, giving her all to the role, the film’s choppy pacing and reliance on montage leave parts of the story feeling rushed and undercooked.

What Hold Your Breath does nail is the eerie atmosphere, with those swirling dust storms creating a haunting backdrop. But as the plot progresses, it starts to lose its way, blurring the line between reality and Margaret’s fragile mental state—something we've seen a lot of in recent trauma-driven horror films. There are still suspenseful moments, like her intense scenes with a mysterious preacher, but these subplots feel too rushed to leave a lasting impact.

Ultimately, Paulson is the film’s standout, beautifully portraying Margaret’s fear and vulnerability. Yet, even with her dedication, the movie doesn’t quite rise to her level, leaving Hold Your Breath feeling more like an almost-there psychological thriller than the fully satisfying scare we were hoping for.