10 Times You Totally Thought Horror Movie Characters Were Dead (But They Weren't)

Many were baffled when a Don't Breathe sequel was announced, because how do you get audiences to root for a man, Norman Nordstrom (Stephen Lang), who in the first film was revealed to be a rapist?

In Don't Breathe 2, set eight years later, Norman is living with his 11-year-old adopted daughter Phoenix (Madelyn Grace), when her biological father and his cronies come a-knocking in an attempt to kidnap her.

For the bulk of its runtime, the sequel seemingly seeks to "redeem" Norman by having him protect Phoenix from her degenerate father and his goons.

Norman ultimately succeeds but is mortally wounded in the final showdown, after which he confesses his horrible prior crimes to Phoenix and dies in her arms. A fitting death for a deeply troubled individual who at least occasionally did the right thing, right?

Except, the film's mid-credits scene throws that fitting ending out completely, by showing a dog licking Norman's fingers and rousing him awake, confirming his continued existence for another potential sequel.

Given that Don't Breathe 2 received wildly mixed reviews and grossed barely one-third of the original at the box office, though, don't count on a third entry any time soon.