Don't Sleep: A Movie Spoiler Alert!

Don't Sleep is a 2017 horror film written and directed by Rick Bieber. The film stars Dominic Sherwood as Zach Bradford, a young man who has been haunted by strange nightmares since his childhood. Zach's nightmares are dismissed by his therapist, Dr. Summers (Cary Elwes), but they continue to plague him as he grows up and moves into a new home with his girlfriend, Shawn Edmon (Charlbi Dean Kriek). As the film progresses, Zach's nightmares become more frequent and intense, and he starts to exhibit strange behaviour. The film takes a twist when it is revealed that Zach's nightmares are connected to a dark secret from his past, and the truth about his therapist's unconventional treatment methods. Despite its intriguing premise, Don't Sleep received mostly negative reviews, with critics citing its dull plot, poor character development, and ineffective horror elements.

The movie's ending

The 2017 horror film "Don't Sleep" ends with a hokey twist that suggests that the protagonist, Zach, isn't solely responsible for his actions. The film concludes that Zach's problems are universal, and therefore human and relatable.

Throughout the film, Zach is haunted by nightmares and traumatic childhood memories. As an adult, he moves into a new house with his girlfriend, Shawn, and starts to experience strange occurrences. The film's conclusion reveals that Zach's problems are not just in his head but may be linked to the unorthodox treatment of a child psychologist he visited as a child.

The ending of "Don't Sleep" has been described as interesting and unpredictable, but the film itself has received mostly negative reviews. Critics have cited issues with the pacing, acting, writing, and character development. Despite its intriguing premise and talented cast, "Don't Sleep" fails to deliver a satisfying horror experience.

The cast's performance

The cast of 'Don't Sleep' is comprised of several well-known actors, including Cary Elwes, Drea De Matteo, and Alex Rocco. However, reviews of the movie suggest that the performances of the cast were not well-received.

Cary Elwes portrays Dr. Richard Sommers, a therapist who dismisses the protagonist Zach's frightening dreams as mere nightmares. Elwes is known for his roles in "The Princess Bride", "Saw", and "Top Gun". Despite his experience and talent, some viewers found his performance in "Don't Sleep" disappointing. One review mentions that he is "only in a few scenes", while another criticizes the writing and direction, stating that even Elwes's performance is "below par".

Drea De Matteo takes on the role of Jo Marino, one of the secondary characters in the film. De Matteo is famous for her work in "The Sopranos" and "Joey". While her presence in the cast may have been enticing for viewers, reviews suggest that her performance in "Don't Sleep" did not live up to expectations. One review describes the movie as a "waste of a good cast", implying that De Matteo's talent was underutilized or failed to elevate the film.

Alex Rocco portrays Mr. Marino, the father of Vincent Marino (played by Alex Carter). This was Rocco's final film appearance before his death in 2015. Unfortunately, the movie received largely negative reviews, with some viewers expressing surprise that talented actors like Rocco would choose to be a part of it. One review specifically mentions Rocco, De Matteo, and Elwes, stating that it is "surprising" to see them in a film with a "stupid plot and terrible production value".

Other notable cast members include Dominic Sherwood as Zach Bradford, the main character whose nightmares and past trauma drive the film's plot. Charlbi Dean Kriek portrays Zach's wife, Shawn Edmon, and Jill Hennessy plays Cindy Bradford.

While the cast of "Don't Sleep" included several recognizable and talented actors, the overall reception of their performances was negative. The movie was criticized for its writing, direction, and pacing, which may have hindered the cast's ability to deliver compelling performances.

The plot and pacing

The plot of Don't Sleep centres on a young boy, Zach, who is experiencing terrifying nightmares. After a prologue in which Zach has a nightmare set in a graveyard, the film cuts to a scene of Zach in the therapist's office, being told that his bad dreams are nothing to be scared of. The film then jumps forward several years to Zach as an adult, now a law student with a beautiful wife, Shawn, and a new home. Zach's life seems perfect, but soon his childhood nightmares return, and his peaceful life is thrown into chaos.

The film's pacing is slow and tedious, with a predictable and formulaic plot that fails to build tension or deliver any effective jump scares. The characters are bland and underwritten, and the performances are rote. The film's approach to the horror genre is uninspired and conventional, with amateurish makeup and special effects. The plot is difficult to follow, with poorly executed flashback scenes that fail to add depth to the main character. Overall, the film is dull and uneventful, with a disappointing ending that fails to provide a satisfying conclusion.

Despite its shortcomings, some reviewers found the film's ending interesting, and the film has been praised for its unpredictable conclusion. However, the transition to this conclusion feels jarring, with cheap plot tricks used to shift the film into a new genre.

In terms of pacing, the film starts off with a slow-moving opening sequence that improves slightly as the film progresses. However, the plot is convoluted and difficult to follow, with poorly executed flashback scenes. The film's tension only picks up in the final act, but it is not enough to save the film from its dull and underwhelming pace.

Overall, the plot and pacing of Don't Sleep are disappointing, with a slow and tedious story that fails to build tension or deliver effective scares. The characters are bland, and the performances are unengaging, making it difficult for the audience to connect with the story. The film's pacing is further hindered by its convoluted plot and poorly executed flashback scenes.

The characters and their development

The 2017 horror-thriller film "Don't Sleep" features a range of characters, each with their own distinct arcs and developments. Here's an overview:

Zach Bradford (played by Dash Williams as a child and Dominic Sherwood as an adult) is the main protagonist of the story. He is a law student who, on the surface, seems to have it all—a beautiful wife, Shawn, a new house, and a bright future. However, Zach is haunted by nightmares from his childhood, which begin to intrude into his waking life. He seeks help from his therapist, Dr. Summers, but finds little relief. As the film progresses, Zach becomes increasingly troubled as he tries to unravel the mysteries of his past and confront the dark forces that seem to be stalking him.

Shawn Edmon (Charlbi Dean Kriek), Zach's wife, is a supportive partner who finds herself drawn into Zach's nightmarish world. She begins experiencing nightmares and is later physically attacked, indicating that she, too, is a target of the supernatural forces plaguing Zach.

Dr. Richard Summers (Cary Elwes) is Zach's inappropriately cheerful therapist, who dismisses Zach's nightmares as mere bad dreams. He reassures Zach that there is nothing to be afraid of, but his assurances ring hollow as the film progresses and the nightmares begin to spill into Zach's reality.

Timmy Mickelsen (Andrew Caldwell) is Zach's childhood friend. Timmy is aware of Zach's past traumas and is one of the few people who seem genuinely concerned for his well-being.

Jo Marino (Drea de Matteo) and Vincent Marino (Alex Carter) are Zach and Shawn's neighbours and landlords. They appear to have a good relationship with the couple, but as the film unfolds, it becomes clear that Jo and Vincent may be hiding something. Jo, in particular, seems to sense something sinister about Zach.

Mr. Marino (Alex Rocco), Vincent's father, is a mysterious figure whose suicide triggers a series of disturbing events. It is suggested that he knew something about Zach's past, and his death sets off a chain of revelations that lead Zach to uncover long-buried secrets.

While the film features a range of secondary characters, the story primarily revolves around Zach and his journey to confront his past traumas and the supernatural forces that haunt him. The other characters serve as foils to Zach's journey, either aiding or hindering his quest for the truth.

The music and sound design

The film's beginning sets the tone with a dream sequence that includes a haggish crone, a rotting-toothed little girl, and an evil twin. The sound design during these sequences plays a vital role in building suspense and heightening the terror of Zach's nightmares. Unfortunately, some viewers found the music to be too loud and poorly mixed, detracting from the intended effect.

As the film progresses, the music and sound continue to play a pivotal role in establishing the atmosphere and enhancing the viewers' experience. However, some viewers criticised the sound design for being "cheaply utilised", with loud reactions and build-ups that failed to create the desired tension.

The ending of "Don't Sleep" is particularly notable for its music choices, which some viewers found jarring and disappointing. Overall, while the film's sound design had ambitious intentions, the execution fell short for many viewers, detracting from the impact of the story and leaving a negative impression on the audience.

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