The Midnight Mystery: Don't Sleep, Dorian

Don't Sleep is the title of both a 2017 fantasy horror film and a song by Dorian. The film, written and directed by Rick Bieber, stars Dominic Sherwood and Charlbi Dean as two young lovers who move into a cottage together. As violent episodes start to take hold of Zach (Sherwood), he remembers a forgotten time in his childhood that may have been the result of demonic possession. The song by Dorian, on the other hand, has accumulated over 1,000,000 streams and includes lyrics such as I flex hard, I stunt large, I pull cards, you ain't hard.

Don't Sleep by Dorian: Lyrics

"Don't Sleep" is a song by Dorian, an artist from Indianapolis. The song begins with an intro from Dorian, which repeats the phrase "Don't Sleep" several times. The lyrics in the intro and throughout the song are as follows:

> "OhWeOhWeOhWeOh OhWeOhWeOhWeOh OhWeOhWeOhWeOh OhWeOhWeOhWeOh I Flex Hard, I Stunt Large I Pull Cards, You Ain’t Hard I Spit Facts, Yo Squad Whack Ya’ll Heard That, Run This Back Don’t Sleep Nigga Don’t Sleep Don’t Sleep Nigga Don’t Sleep"

In the first verse, Dorian continues with similar lyrics, emphasising their ability to "flex hard" and "stunt large". The pre-hook acknowledges a potential problem but dismisses it, knowing that they can resolve it. The hook repeats the phrase "Don't Sleep" several times, creating a catchy and memorable chorus.

The second verse is performed by Mark Battles, who is also from Indianapolis. Mark Battles' verse brings a new perspective to the song, with lyrics such as "It’s Fly America Yo these niggas make a lot of noise" and "Mr. Vasi King". The hook is repeated again, emphasising the importance of staying awake and alert.

The song's lyrics encourage listeners to stay focused and not sleep on their goals or their competition. The repetitive phrase "Don't Sleep" serves as a reminder to be vigilant and constantly strive for success. The song also showcases the artists' confidence and their ability to handle any challenges that come their way.

Don't Sleep: Movie Plot

The 2017 horror film "Don't Sleep" centres on young lovers Shawn and Zach, who move into a cottage together on an estate owned by Mr. and Mrs. Marino. Shawn and Zach seem to have the perfect life – Zach is in law school, has a great marriage, and a good relationship with his neighbours. However, things take a dark turn when Zach starts to experience violent episodes and strange visions, including seeing his childhood self and a man being tortured on his laptop.

As the film progresses, it is revealed that Zach had a troubled past involving what appeared to be severe and violent psychosis, which was treated with electroconvulsive shock therapy. He begins to question his sanity as the events surrounding them become increasingly dangerous and deadly, with innocent people being killed. Zach's fears for Shawn's safety as he confronts the possibility that his experiences may be the result of demonic possession rather than psychosis.

The film also explores the impact of Zach's past on those around him, including his wife Shawn, who is haunted by visions, and his neighbour Jo, who has disturbing experiences of her own. "Don't Sleep" raises thought-provoking questions about personal responsibility and the impact of trauma on an individual and those closest to them. However, despite its ambitious themes, the film falls flat, with critics citing a convoluted plot, underdeveloped characters, and a lack of focus.

Overall, "Don't Sleep" fails to deliver on its promising premise, leaving viewers confused and disappointed.

Don't Sleep: Movie Cast

The 2017 fantasy horror film 'Don't Sleep' features a cast of talented actors who bring the thrilling and chilling story to life. The movie centres around Zach Bradford, played by Dominic Sherwood, who moves into a cottage with his wife, Shawn Edmon, portrayed by Charlbi Dean. As Zach starts to experience disturbing events, he is forced to confront repressed memories from his childhood, which may be linked to psychosis or demonic possession.

Andrew Caldwell, credited as Timmy Mickelsen, portrays Zach's childhood friend, Timmy. The character provides a connection to Zach's past and adds a layer of complexity to the story. Alex Carter joins the cast as Vincent Marino, a neighbour with whom Zach and Shawn share a close relationship. Vincent's father, Mr. Marino, is played by the late Alex Rocco, marking his final film appearance before his passing in 2015.

The cast also includes Jill Hennessy as Cindy Bradford, Zach's family member, and Marem Hassler as Sandy Sommers, another character connected to the intriguing narrative. Drea de Matteo takes on the role of Jo Marino, Vincent's wife, who becomes entangled in the mysterious and frightening occurrences. Cary Elwes portrays Dr. Richard Sommers, a therapist who attempts to help Zach make sense of his disturbing dreams and memories.

'Don't Sleep' is a suspenseful and eerie film that explores the impact of trauma and the darkness that lies within us. The cast's performances contribute to the overall intensity and intrigue of the story, making it a memorable addition to the horror genre.

Don't Sleep: Movie Reviews

Plot Overview

In the horror-thriller 'Don't Sleep', a young couple, Zach and Shawn, move into a cottage together. Zach, a law student, starts experiencing nightmares similar to those he had as a child. He visits his old therapist, Dr. Summers, but his condition worsens, and he begins to see ghosts during the daytime. After Zach and Shawn's neighbour Vincent's father, Mr. Marino, commits suicide, Zach experiences an actual physical attack. The film follows Zach as he tries to uncover the truth behind his nightmares.

Critical Reception

'Don't Sleep' received largely negative reviews from critics, who found it dull and confusing. The movie was criticised for its pacing, character development, acting, and special effects. The plot was described as convoluted, disjointed, and derivative, with some reviewers finding the ending interesting but underwhelming. The movie was also criticised for its use of horror tropes and clichés, with one reviewer stating that it "tries a little bit of everything—all competently, none memorably."

Technical Aspects

The movie's sound mix, special effects, and editing were criticised. The jump scares, digital effects, and loud music were described as cheap and ineffective. The demon/ghost makeup was likened to "something you would expect from a 10-year-old on Halloween."

Performances

While the movie features a talented cast, including Cary Elwes, Drea De Matteo, and Alex Rocco, their performances were not well-received. Elwes, in particular, was criticised for his limited screen time and lacklustre acting.

Recommendations

Reviewers do not recommend watching 'Don't Sleep', with some suggesting that it may even cure insomnia. One reviewer states, "Don't Sleep' is far from [being] a proper horror movie to keep you entertained."

Ratings

The movie received a rating of 3.4/10 on IMDb and 0.5/5 stars on Rotten Tomatoes.

Don't Sleep: Remixes

Dorian's single 'Don't Sleep' has been a huge success, with over 1,000,000 streams to date and a catchy, memorable hook. The song has also inspired a number of remixes, with artists keen to put their own spin on the popular track.

The 'Don't Sleep Remixes' project includes a range of interpretations of the original song. One of the most notable remixes is the collaboration with Mark Battles, which features a verse from the rapper. This remix adds a new dimension to the song, with Battles' verse providing a fresh perspective and appeal to a wider audience.

Another remix in the collection is the "Don't Sleep (Remix) Extended Version", which builds on the original by adding new elements and an extended runtime. This version allows listeners to immerse themselves in the song for longer, with added instrumental breaks and an extended outro.

The remixes also include a variety of production styles, showcasing the versatility of the original track. Some remixes emphasise the bassline, transforming the song into a club-ready banger. Others focus on the melody, creating a more laid-back, chill-hop vibe. There is even an acoustic remix, stripping back the production to highlight the raw emotion of the lyrics.

The 'Don't Sleep Remixes' project has helped to further solidify the song's popularity, reaching new audiences and showcasing the endless possibilities of musical collaboration and reinterpretation.

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