Full Movie Review: Don't Sleep, Stay Awake!

The 2017 American fantasy horror film 'Don't Sleep' is written and directed by Rick Bieber and stars Dominic Sherwood and Charlbi Dean. The film follows Shawn and Zach, two young lovers who move into a cottage together and begin to experience bizarre and violent episodes. As the story unfolds, Zach slowly remembers a forgotten time from his childhood that may have been the result of demonic possession. With a 9% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has received mixed reviews, with some praising the plot and acting while others find it underwhelming and confusing.

Demonic possession

The 2017 horror film "Don't Sleep" explores the horror of a forgotten childhood, as two young lovers, Zach and Shawn, move into a cottage together and confront their past traumas. The movie begins with a young Zach experiencing nightmares, which are dismissed by his therapist, Dr. Summers, as mere bad dreams. However, as an adult, Zach starts experiencing violent episodes and is haunted by images from his childhood, including a mysterious figure from his nightmares.

The movie delves into the theme of demonic possession as Zach's experiences are implied to be linked to demonic forces. As the film progresses, Zach remembers a forgotten time in his childhood that may have been the result of demonic possession. This is a classic trope in horror films, where the protagonist uncovers repressed memories of traumatic events, often involving supernatural entities.

The idea of losing control to a malevolent force is inherently frightening and resonates with audiences globally. Demonic possession films often tap into cultural and religious beliefs, incorporating various folklore and spiritual practices. This adds a layer of authenticity and cultural relevance to the horror genre, making it even more unsettling for viewers.

"Don't Sleep" explores the complexities of trauma and the dark aspects of human nature. While the film falls short in its execution, it attempts to tackle profound questions about personal responsibility and the impact of one's actions on loved ones. The theme of demonic possession adds a supernatural layer to the psychological horror, creating a chilling experience for viewers.

Childhood trauma

The 2017 horror film "Don't Sleep" explores the theme of childhood trauma and its impact on the present. The movie centres around Zach, a young man who, along with his wife Shawn, moves into a guesthouse on an estate owned by Mr. and Mrs. Marino. As strange and dangerous events start occurring, Zach finds himself confronting repressed memories from his childhood.

Zach begins to recall a time when he experienced what appeared to be severe and violent psychosis. These memories had been erased through electroconvulsive shock treatments administered by his psychiatrist. As the film progresses, Zach's forgotten past resurfaces, forcing him to question his sanity and fear for the safety of his wife. The line between psychotic behaviour and demonic possession blurs, and Zach is faced with a terrifying reality that challenges his understanding of his own history.

The film opens with a Nietzsche quote about embracing the darker aspects of oneself, setting the tone for the exploration of profound and formative trauma. Zach's story is convoluted and filled with apparent perfection on the surface. However, as the narrative progresses, we learn about his troubled past, including the suicide of Mr. Marino, which triggers Zach's recollection of his childhood trauma.

The trauma depicted in "Don't Sleep" is not limited to Zach's experience. The film also delves into the impact of intergenerational trauma, as the community surrounding Zach is affected by his past. Scenes such as a closet door mysteriously opening and unsettling visions during intimate moments suggest that Zach's demons are not solely his own but are shared and even amplified by those around him.

"Don't Sleep" attempts to tackle the complex subject of taking responsibility for one's actions, even when confronted with a dark past that others are unwilling to acknowledge. The film raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of trauma, memory, and the potential for universal human experiences of guilt and self-reflection.

Forgotten memories

Shawn and Zach, two young lovers, move into a cottage together, which is a guesthouse on an estate owned by Mr. and Mrs. Marino. As they settle into their new home, Zach begins to experience violent episodes, which are triggered by forgotten memories from his childhood. These episodes may be linked to demonic possession, as he starts to see his childhood double, a pale teenager in a hoodie.

Zach's past is shrouded in mystery, and even he is unsure of what happened during his forgotten childhood. He seeks help from a therapist, Dr. Richard Sommers, who dismisses his experiences as mere bad dreams. However, the situation becomes more intriguing as the film progresses, and it is revealed that Zach is haunted by images of a man being tortured on his laptop and encounters a bald crone and a little girl with rotting teeth in his dreams.

The line between reality and the supernatural blurs as the film explores the impact of Zach's forgotten memories on those around him. Jo Marino, Mr. and Mrs. Marino's daughter, is affected by Zach's past as she recalls an urban legend told by Mr. Marino about a Crusades-era warrior whose wife is raped during his absence, turning him into a monster. The film also hints at a potential twist ending that suggests Zach may not be solely responsible for his actions, leaving the audience with a sense of uncertainty and intrigue.

"Don't Sleep" delves into the complexities of trauma and the burden of confronting one's darkest aspects. It raises profound questions about personal responsibility and the impact of one's actions on loved ones. Despite its ambitious themes, the film falls short of becoming a great horror movie, with critics citing its convoluted plot and failure to adequately explore its heavy subjects. Nonetheless, it leaves viewers with a thought-provoking exploration of forgotten memories and their impact on the present.

Horror movie tropes

The 2017 horror film "Don't Sleep" explores various tropes common in horror movies. Here are some paragraphs discussing these horror movie tropes:

The Threat of a Childhood Trauma

The protagonist, Zach, is haunted by his forgotten childhood trauma, a common horror trope. As he moves into a new house with his wife, Shawn, he starts experiencing eerie occurrences, such as seeing his childhood double and disturbing images on his laptop. This trope of a character confronting repressed memories or past trauma is a classic device to build suspense and intrigue in horror narratives.

The "Crazy" Person No One Believes

In "Don't Sleep," Zach finds himself in a situation where no one believes him. Despite seeking help from a therapist, Dr. Summers, and confiding in his wife and friends, his concerns are brushed off as mere nightmares. This trope of a "crazy" or unreliable narrator adds a layer of complexity to the story, creating a sense of isolation for the protagonist and heightening the tension as they grapple with their experiences alone.

The Convoluted Backstory

The film "Don't Sleep" employs a convoluted backstory for its main character, Zach. The narrative jumps between different time periods in his life, from his childhood dream sequence to his adult life, where he appears to have it all. This non-linear storytelling technique is a trope often used in horror movies to create a sense of disorientation and keep the audience guessing about the true nature of the protagonist's experiences.

The Group Splitting Up

Although not explicitly seen in "Don't Sleep," the trope of the group splitting up is a common tactic in horror films to increase the body count. It is a well-known horror movie cliché that, despite its illogical nature, continues to be a favourite among filmmakers. By having characters separate, it becomes easier for the monster or killer to pick them off one by one, building suspense and ensuring a higher body count.

The Creepy Child

While "Don't Sleep" does not feature children in its main cast, the film does touch upon the idea of childhood trauma and the impact it can have on the adult characters. The trope of the creepy child is a common one in horror, playing on the idea of innocence corrupted. Films like "The Shining" and "It" have effectively utilized this trope, creating an unsettling atmosphere by presenting children as possessed, ghostly, or incapable of harm.

Incompetent therapist

Dr. Richard Sommers, played by Cary Elwes, is the therapist in the 2017 horror film "Don't Sleep".

The film's protagonist, Zach, is first introduced to Dr. Sommers as a child, after experiencing a series of nightmares. Dr. Sommers reassures Zach that he is just having bad dreams and there is nothing to be scared of.

Years later, Zach starts experiencing nightmares again and visits Dr. Sommers once more. However, this time, the nightmares start to manifest in Zach's real life, and he begins to see ghosts during the daytime. Despite the severity of Zach's condition, Dr. Sommers is described as "inappropriately chipper" and fails to take Zach's concerns seriously.

One review of the film criticises Dr. Sommers' response to Zach's issues, stating that he "weakly reassures" Zach and fails to address the deeper problems. This criticism highlights the therapist's incompetence in handling Zach's trauma and his inability to provide meaningful help.

Overall, Dr. Richard Sommers' character in "Don't Sleep" exemplifies an incompetent therapist who fails to recognise the severity of his patient's struggles and offers superficial comfort instead of effective treatment.

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