Fede Alvarez's 2016 horror/thriller Don't Breathe was already quite harrowing, but its original ending would've taken things to an even darker place. While it remains to be seen if the long-promised sequel will ever materialize, Don't Breathe was one of the biggest horror success stories of 2016, and made many fans' best of the year lists. Critics loved it too, with Don't Breathe earning a healthy 88% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and getting praised for its simple, yet effective premise that set the stage for nerve-rattling scares.

Don't Breathe was also a huge financial success, hauling in $157 million on a $10 million budget. This made director Alvarez two for two, as his prior effort, 2013's Evil Dead remake, was also a big hit. In addition to Alvarez at the helm, another person tying those two horror hits together was star Jane Levy, who played demon possession survivor turned chainsaw-wiedling badass Mia in Evil Dead and complex protagonist Rocky in Don't Breathe.

Related: Don't Breathe Review

For those in need of a refresher, Don't Breathe concerns a trio of friends who end up getting way more than they bargained for during a robbery attempt when the home owner turns out to be way more dangerous than anyone could've imagined. The film ends with Rocky escaping from the house of Norman Nordstrom (Stephen Lang), and heading to Los Angeles with her sister Diddy, although Norman survives the ordeal, providing a clear sequel hook should one ever happen. However, it turns out Rocky didn't originally get such a happy ending.

Don't Breathe's Original Ending Was Much Darker

On the surface, Norman should be the most sympathetic character in the film, as he's the victim of a home invasion burglary by Rocky and friends, lost his sight while fighting in the Gulf War, and lost his daughter to a car accident. As revealed later on though, Norman has kidnapped and essentially raped the young woman who killed his daughter, forcing her to bear him a "replacement" child by artificially inseminating her with his seed. It's a sick, twisted plan by any standard, and immediately turns the viewer against Norman fully.

Rocky at one point tries to free Norman's captive, and he accidentally shoots her, killing their unborn baby in the process. He then tries to force Rocky to be his new "surrogate," but she manages to escape with help from her soon to be dead friend Alex. At least in the theatrical cut of Don't Breathe. In the original script, according to writer Rodo Sayagues, Rocky ended up captured by Norman, who grabs her via a secret trap door in his wall. She's then hidden away inside a concealed part of the cellar, and does indeed end up becoming Norman's new expectant mother. It's an absolutely horrifying fate, and thank goodness those involved opted not to go with it, especially since Rocky's own sister would've ended up alone.

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