Coming to On Demand and Digital through Shout! Studios on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Just Breathe is a new Crime Thriller. Marking the feature debut of Writer and Director Paul Pompa III, the film follows Nick Bianco (Kyle Gallner: Smile 2022, Strange Darling 2023), as he attempts to reunite with his girlfriend Mel played by E’myri Crutchfield (Vacation 2015, Dark Harvest 2023) after a year in jail for assault—only to find that her new admirer is none other than his landlord, parole officer, and tormentor, Chester, brought to life by Shawn Ashmore ( X-MEN 2000, It Feeds 2025). While the setup brims with tension and potential, the execution ultimately falters, leaving a story that feels messy and all too predictable.
Chester, as written, falls flat as a villain because he is little more than a caricature of cruelty. He is simply evil for the sake of being so, with no layers or hints at what drives his manipulative behavior. Not every antagonist needs a fleshed-out backstory or tragic origin, but in this case, even a sliver of insight could have made his tactics and power plays more compelling. Compared to him, Nick and Mel are given slightly more dimension, though their arcs still feel underdeveloped. The lack of nuance is only compounded by dialogue that often works against the cast; while some performances fight to rise above it, the writing leaves little room for complexity.
The plot of Just Breathe quickly becomes tangled in its own twists, layering conflicts and reveals without a clear sense of direction. What begins as a straightforward story of a man trying to rebuild his life after prison veers into increasingly contrived territory, with subplots and character choices that feel more confusing than suspenseful. Instead of heightening the tension, the constant complications dilute it, making the narrative feel bloated and unfocused. By the time the film reaches its climax, the convoluted structure has drained much of the impact, leaving the resolution feeling rushed and unsatisfying.
Despite all of this, Gallner’s performance as Nick is a highlight—delivering a loud, angry, and emotionally charged portrayal that cuts through the film’s uneven writing. He leans fully into Nick’s volatility, embodying a man teetering on the edge of control and consumed by frustration at every turn. The performance is raw and unrelenting, showcasing Gallner’s ability to channel intensity in a way that demands attention, even when the dialogue and plotting give him little support. His outbursts and restless energy make Nick feel like a powder keg waiting to explode, and while the film itself stumbles, Gallner’s presence ensures that Nick remains the most memorable part of the story.
Ultimately, Just Breathe feels like a film that cannot quite live up to the potential of its premise. There are flashes of what could have been—a sharp, tense thriller about control, redemption, and manipulation—but those moments are buried beneath flat characterization and a narrative that loses itself in excess. What lingers most is not the story itself but Gallner’s ferocious performance, which hints at the stronger, more gripping movie this debut might have been with tighter writing and a clearer vision. For audiences drawn in by the cast or the promise of a gritty Crime Thriller, the film may prove more frustrating than satisfying, a reminder that strong performances alone cannot always save a shaky foundation. This is why Cryptic Rock gives Just Breathe 2 out of 5 stars.
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