Rotten Tomatoes: Don't Sleep, Must-Watch Movie Alert!

The 2017 horror film Don't Sleep, directed by Rick Bieber, follows a young couple, Shawn and Zach, who move into a cottage together. As Zach begins to experience violent episodes, he slowly remembers a forgotten time in his childhood that may have been the result of demonic possession. While the movie has been praised for its plot, acting, and special effects, it has also been criticised for being confusing, underwhelming, and filled with horror movie clichés.

Plot, acting, and effects

'Don't Sleep' is a 2017 horror-thriller film directed by Rick Bieber. The plot centres around a young couple, Shawn and Zach, who move into a cottage together. However, their dream home soon turns into a nightmare when Zach starts experiencing violent episodes, leading him to recall a repressed memory from his childhood that may be linked to demonic possession.

While some viewers found the movie confusing and underwhelming, others praised its plot, acting, and effects. One review from Film Threat states that "if you go into Don't Sleep expecting to be scared, you will be disappointed. But if you are looking for a decent plot, good acting, and very impressive effects, give it a watch". This suggests that the movie's strengths lie more in its narrative and performances than in building a terrifying atmosphere.

The movie appears to rely heavily on horror clichés, with one review from the Los Angeles Times noting that there is "scarcely a new or old horror movie cliché that goes unused". This review also describes the film as a "supernatural thriller that tries a little bit of everything - all competently, none memorably", indicating that while the movie covers familiar ground, it does so in a competent manner.

In terms of acting, there seem to be mixed opinions. While one review from Film Inquiry calls the movie "poorly acted", another review from Film Threat gives it a positive mention for good acting.

As for the effects, one review from Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews describes them as "very impressive". This suggests that the movie may have effectively utilised special effects to enhance the viewing experience, particularly in the horror and thriller elements of the film.

Horror clichés

"Don't Sleep" is a 2017 horror movie that leaves no horror cliché unused. The film is about a young couple, Shawn and Zach, who move into a cottage together. Violent episodes begin to take hold of Zach, and he slowly remembers a forgotten time in his childhood that may have been the result of demonic possession.

One of the horror clichés used in the film is the idea of a dream home turning into a nightmare. This is a common trope in horror movies, where a couple or a family move into a new home, only to find that it is haunted or has a dark history. The sense of comfort and security that a home provides is shattered, creating a sense of unease and danger.

Another cliché present in "Don't Sleep" is the use of demonic possession as a plot device. This is a well-worn trope in horror, where a character is possessed by a supernatural entity, often leading to violent or bizarre behaviour. The character may have little to no memory of their actions while possessed, and the possession is usually presented as a threat to themselves or those around them.

The film also employs the cliché of confusing storytelling, with some viewers reporting that they were confused by the movie's plot and ending. This can be a common issue in horror films, where complex or convoluted storylines can detract from the overall impact. Confusing narratives can leave audiences feeling frustrated and underwhelmed, rather than engaged and terrified.

In addition, "Don't Sleep" features a bizarre conclusion, which is a cliché in horror movies. Many horror films rely on shock value or unexpected twists to leave a lasting impression on viewers. However, this can sometimes backfire, resulting in an ending that feels out of place or unsatisfying.

Finally, the movie uses the cliché of a supernatural thriller that tries a little bit of everything. "Don't Sleep" is described as a film that "tries a little bit of everything, all competently, none memorably". This can be a criticism of horror movies that fail to find a unique or engaging angle, instead relying on a mix of familiar tropes without adding anything new or interesting.

Confusing plot

"Don't Sleep" is a 2017 horror film directed by Rick Bieber. The plot centres around Zach, who, after moving into a new house with his wife Shawn, starts experiencing violent episodes and recalling a forgotten time in his childhood that may have been the result of demonic possession.

The film has received criticism for its confusing plot, with one review stating that it is "horrible... you're confused the whole movie and then the ending makes [you] even MORE confused". Another review states that the film "works so hard to make an impression that it risks being remembered for all the wrong reasons".

One reviewer suggests that the film tries to incorporate too many horror movie clichés, resulting in a lack of originality and a confusing narrative. They write: "There's scarcely a new or old horror movie cliché that goes unused in 'Don't Sleep,' a supernatural thriller that tries a little bit of everything—all competently, none memorably".

The film also appears to suffer from a lack of focus, with the reviewer from Roger Ebert suggesting that the film tries to cover too many themes and ideas, resulting in a convoluted and confusing plot: "'Don't Sleep' eventually becomes a movie about a community of well-wishers that help a bright young kid hide from himself. He's compartmentalized a dark past to the point where he... can only process the pain of... something... by seeing it through jumbled-up horror movie tropes".

Overall, while the film does explore some interesting and ambitious themes, the confusing and convoluted plot appears to have been a significant detractor for many viewers and critics.

Poor acting

The 2017 horror film "Don't Sleep" seems to have received mixed reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with some critics describing the acting as "good" and "decent", while others characterise it as "poor".

Jeffrey M. Anderson of Common Sense Media describes the film as a "cheap-looking, poorly acted horror movie" that is "more awkward and annoying than scary". Anderson's review also highlights the film's lack of coherence, suggesting that it falls into the category of films that prompt the question, "what the heck were they thinking?"

On the other hand, a review by Bobby LePire for Film Threat suggests that the film is worth watching if you are looking for "a decent plot, good acting, and very impressive effects". LePire's review seems to be more positive overall, awarding the film a grade of B+.

While not specifically commenting on the quality of the acting, other reviews touch on the film's plot and characters. Ryan Morris of Film Inquiry describes the film as "underwhelming" and "flat out boring". Similarly, a review in The Hollywood Reporter characterises the film as "forgettable", suggesting that it fails to deliver memorable frights or character insights.

In conclusion, while some critics found the acting in "Don't Sleep" to be poor, others seemed to disagree, describing the acting as one of the film's positive aspects.

Satisfying parts

While reviews for the 2017 horror film "Don't Sleep" are mixed, with some critics calling it "confusing" and "underwhelming," there are still parts of the movie that viewers found satisfying.

For viewers who are not looking for a scary movie, "Don't Sleep" offers a decent plot, good acting, and impressive effects. The movie also features a bizarre conclusion, which some may find satisfying.

In addition, one reviewer praised the film for its playful and lived-in qualities, while another commended its self-awareness and return to the 80s splatter-fest horror genre.

Overall, while "Don't Sleep" may not have lived up to expectations for a scary horror film, it does offer some redeeming qualities that may appeal to viewers who are looking for a decent plot and good acting.

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