Why You Shouldn't Sleep Through This Movie

'Don't Sleep' is a 2017 American fantasy horror film written and directed by Rick Bieber. The film stars Dominic Sherwood as Zach Bradford, a young man who, after moving into a cottage with his wife Shawn (played by Charlbi Dean), starts experiencing violent episodes and recalling a forgotten time from his childhood that may have been caused by demonic possession. As Zach grapples with his past, he seeks help from a therapist, Dr. Summers (Cary Elwes), and leans on his childhood friend Timmy (Andrew Caldwell) and neighbours Jo and Vincent Marino (Drea de Matteo and Alex Carter). With a runtime of 101 minutes, 'Don't Sleep' explores profound themes of trauma, responsibility, and the impact of one's actions on loved ones. Despite its ambitious narrative, the film received mixed reviews, with critics noting its convoluted plot and failure to deliver on its intriguing premise.

Demonic possession

The film centres around young lovers Shawn and Zach, who move into a guesthouse together. Soon after, Zach begins to exhibit violent behaviour, and the couple finds themselves in increasingly dangerous situations. As the story unfolds, Zach remembers a repressed time from his childhood when he experienced what appeared to be severe psychosis, possibly resulting from demonic possession. This forgotten past is revealed to have been erased from his memory through a series of electroconvulsive shock treatments administered by a psychiatrist.

As the situation escalates and innocent people are harmed, Zach questions his sanity and fears for Shawn's safety. The possibility of demonic possession resurfaces, and Zach is forced to confront a terrifying reality beyond his imagination.

The movie attempts to weave a compelling tale of possession, blending suspense and supernatural elements. While "Don't Sleep" falls short of being a memorable horror film, it does offer a decent plot, competent acting, and impressive effects that keep viewers engaged.

Violence and dreams

The 2017 fantasy horror film 'Don't Sleep' explores the interplay between violence and dreams through the lens of its protagonist Zach, who is haunted by violent episodes and forgotten memories from his childhood that may be linked to demonic possession. The film opens with a dream sequence in which Zach, as a little boy, wanders through a foggy marsh and encounters disturbing figures, including a bald crone and a girl with rotting teeth wearing a sackcloth mask. This dream sets the tone for the rest of the film, as Zach continues to be plagued by violent and unsettling dreams throughout.

As the film progresses, we see how these dreams and forgotten memories manifest in Zach's adult life. After moving into a cottage with his wife, Shawn, Zach begins to experience violent episodes and slowly remembers a traumatic time from his childhood. The violence in his dreams seems to bleed into his waking life, blurring the boundaries between fantasy and reality. This is further emphasised by the film's exploration of demonic possession as a potential explanation for Zach's forgotten childhood memories.

The theme of violence and dreams in 'Don't Sleep' serves as a metaphor for the characters' inner demons and their struggle to come to terms with their past traumas. The film suggests that violence can manifest in both dreams and waking life, and that the two are intricately linked. The characters' attempts to understand and confront their violent dreams become a means of exploring their own darkness and grappling with their past.

Additionally, the film seems to critique the notion of ignoring or repressing violent tendencies and dreams. Zach's therapist, Dr. Summers, dismisses his dreams as mere "bad nocturnal emissions", encouraging Zach to brush them off as insignificant. This approach, however, proves to be ineffective and even dangerous as Zach's violent episodes continue and intensify. 'Don't Sleep' seems to argue that facing one's violent dreams and impulses head-on is necessary for self-understanding and preventing harm to oneself and others.

Overall, the interplay between violence and dreams in 'Don't Sleep' serves as a vehicle for exploring complex themes such as trauma, repression, and personal responsibility. By blurring the lines between dreams and reality, the film creates a sense of unease and highlights the potential consequences of ignoring our darkest impulses.

Trauma and memory

The 2017 horror film "Don't Sleep" explores the theme of trauma and memory, particularly how past traumas can impact an individual's present life. The movie centres around Zach, a young boy who experiences disturbing dreams and visions that hint at a dark and forgotten past. As the film progresses, it is revealed that Zach has compartmentalized a traumatic event from his childhood, which continues to haunt him and those around him.

Zach first appears in the film as a little boy, played by Dash Williams, who is plagued by nightmares. In his dreams, Zach wanders through a foggy marsh and encounters a range of sinister figures, including a bald crone and a little girl with rotting teeth wearing a sack-cloth mask. These nightmares seem to be connected to some form of past trauma that Zach has experienced but cannot fully recall.

Years later, Zach, now played by Dominic Sherwood, appears to have a perfect life. He is married, doing well in law school, and has good relationships with his neighbours and childhood friend Timmy. However, this idyllic existence is disrupted when Zach starts to see visions of his childhood self and disturbing images on his laptop, indicating that something traumatic occurred in his past that he has repressed.

The theme of trauma and memory is further explored through the impact of Zach's forgotten past on those around him. His wife, Shawn, and his neighbours, Jo and Vincent, are all affected by Zach's repressed memories, suggesting that trauma can have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the individual. Jo, in particular, seems to be haunted by Zach's past, experiencing disturbing visions and flashbacks that implicate her in some way.

"Don't Sleep" highlights how trauma can be buried, forgotten, or repressed, only to resurface later in life. It suggests that the impact of trauma can be long-lasting and pervasive, affecting not only the individual but also their loved ones. The film also hints at the idea of collective trauma, as it takes a village to create and be moved by Zach's demons, indicating that trauma can have a ripple effect on a community.

While the film has been criticized for its convoluted narrative and pacing issues, the exploration of trauma and memory remains a central and intriguing theme. "Don't Sleep" invites viewers to consider the complexities of trauma and how it can shape our lives, even when we are not fully conscious of its presence.

Community and responsibility

"Don't Sleep" is a 2017 American fantasy horror film that explores the complex themes of trauma, responsibility, and the impact of one's actions on their community. The movie centres around Zach Bradford, who, after moving into a new house with his wife, Shawn, begins to experience violent episodes and fragmented memories of a traumatic childhood event that may be linked to demonic possession. As Zach grapples with his past, the film highlights the role of the community around him and their responsibility in addressing his struggles.

The community in "Don't Sleep" is portrayed as a group of well-wishers who are aware of Zach's problems and attempt to support him. This includes secondary characters like Dr. Richard Sommers, a therapist who reassures Zach that his experiences are merely bad dreams, and Timmy, Zach's childhood friend who maintains a close relationship with him. Additionally, Zach and Shawn's neighbours, Jo and Vincent Marino, are also part of this supportive community. Vincent seeks to help Zach, and Jo, his wife, becomes entangled in the mystery of Zach's past through her own supernatural experiences.

The community's responsibility in "Don't Sleep" is a critical aspect of the narrative. As Zach's violent episodes and memories unfold, the community is faced with the task of acknowledging and addressing the darkness within their midst. This responsibility extends beyond simply offering support to Zach but also involves grappling with the implications of his actions and their impact on those around him, particularly Shawn. The film challenges the notion of victim-blaming and emphasises the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of the community's well-wishes or intentions.

However, the community in "Don't Sleep" also becomes complicit in Zach's trauma. Through their attempts to help, they may unintentionally enable his behaviour or fail to recognise the extent of his darkness. This dynamic raises important questions about the responsibility of a community in addressing the struggles of its members. Are they responsible for recognising the true nature of Zach's problems? Are they accountable for their potential failure to help or their inability to see beyond their preconceptions?

Ultimately, "Don't Sleep" serves as a thought-provoking exploration of community and responsibility. It challenges viewers to consider the complex dynamics between individuals and their communities, the impact of trauma, and the delicate balance between support and accountability. While the film may have its shortcomings in terms of narrative execution, it successfully prompts important discussions about the role and responsibilities of a community in addressing the struggles and darkness within their midst.

Victim-blaming

The 2017 film "Don't Sleep" is a horror movie that explores the trauma of a forgotten childhood and the impact of one's actions on loved ones. The movie centres around Zach, who, after moving into a new house with his wife, Shawn, starts experiencing violent episodes and recalling repressed memories from his past. The film suggests that Zach's issues may be related to demonic possession in his childhood. While the movie attempts to tackle heavy subjects and ask tough questions, it falls short in its execution, with a confusing narrative and underdeveloped characters.

One of the critical issues in the film is the implication of victim-blaming. Victim-blaming is a pervasive social issue, and its inclusion in the film warrants a detailed discussion. Victim-blaming refers to the act of holding the victim of a crime or negative situation responsible for the harm they have suffered. It involves shifting the blame away from the perpetrator and onto the victim, suggesting that their actions or choices led to the negative outcome. In the context of "Don't Sleep," the victim-blaming dynamic is evident in how the characters respond to Zach's situation and how the film portrays the impact of his actions on those around him.

Zach's loved ones, including his wife Shawn and his friend Timmy, seem more concerned with maintaining the image of a "perfect life" than genuinely addressing the issues that Zach is facing. They fail to recognize the severity of his problems and instead attribute his behaviour to bad dreams or nightmares. This minimization of Zach's experiences is a form of victim-blaming as it implies that he is overreacting or not handling his situation appropriately. By not taking his concerns seriously, they contribute to a culture that silences victims and discourages them from seeking help.

Additionally, the film's portrayal of Shawn as a trophy wife or an afterthought in the narrative further perpetuates victim-blaming. Timmy's repeated jokes about wanting to "make it with Shawn" objectify her and reduce her to a mere prize or possession. This treatment of Shawn as an object contributes to a culture that devalues the agency and autonomy of victims, making it easier to blame them for their own victimization. The film fails to adequately explore the impact of Zach's actions on Shawn and how she navigates the challenges of living with someone struggling with these issues.

Furthermore, the film's ending suggests that Zach is not solely responsible for his actions, implying that his problems are universal and relatable. While the intention may be to provide a conciliatory message, it can also be interpreted as victim-blaming. By shifting the focus away from Zach's individual accountability and implying that his actions are understandable or justifiable, the film risks excusing abusive or harmful behaviour. This narrative device is common in victim-blaming discourse, where external factors or circumstances are used to explain away harmful actions, absolving the perpetrator of responsibility.

In conclusion, "Don't Sleep" attempts to engage with complex themes, including victim-blaming, but falls short in its execution. The film's treatment of Shawn and Zach's experiences, as well as its narrative choices, contribute to a discourse that minimizes the impact on victims and shifts blame away from the perpetrators. While the film has good intentions by exploring these issues, its failure to adequately address them highlights the challenges of effectively portraying such complex and sensitive topics.

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