Review: Don't Sleep, A Thriller That Keeps You Awake

Don't Sleep is a 2017 horror film directed by Rick Bieber. The film follows young lovers Shawn and Zach, who move into a guest house together, where they are confronted by a series of bizarre and violent events. As the film progresses, Zach begins to remember a forgotten time from his childhood, where he suffered from severe psychosis and was possibly demonically possessed. Despite having a compelling plot and impressive effects, the movie received mixed reviews, with some critics finding it underwhelming and confusing.

Poor pacing and storyline

"Don't Sleep" is a 2017 horror film that fails to deliver on its promise of terror. With a tedious plot, poor pacing, and an underwhelming storyline, the film falls flat despite its intriguing premise.

The movie begins with a young boy, Zach, experiencing a terrifying nightmare in a graveyard, followed by a quotation from Nietzsche, setting a heavy tone for the rest of the film. However, the pacing quickly becomes an issue as the film jumps forward several years, introducing Zach as a married law student living an idyllic life. This abrupt shift in the timeline fails to adequately build tension or establish a connection with the audience.

As the film progresses, Zach and his wife, Shawn, move into a guest house, where they begin to experience bizarre and dangerous events. However, the plot fails to captivate, with predictable horror tropes and a lack of genuine scares. The story becomes convoluted, with unnecessary subplots and an overreliance on shock tactics rather than a well-crafted narrative. The pacing continues to falter, with key elements introduced too late in the film to have a significant impact on the audience.

The film's attempt to explore profound themes, such as trauma and responsibility for one's actions, falls short due to its poor pacing and convoluted storyline. The audience is left confused, trying to piece together the disjointed elements of the plot. The twist ending, while unexpected, feels unearned due to the lack of proper build-up and fails to salvage the lackluster pacing and storytelling.

Overall, "Don't Sleep" disappoints with its poor pacing and underwhelming storyline. Despite its potential, the film fails to engage or frighten its audience, resulting in a tedious and forgettable horror experience.

Lacklustre acting and script

"Don't Sleep" is a 2017 horror film that follows a young couple, Zach and Shawn, who move into a cottage together and confront the horrors of Zach's forgotten childhood. The film explores the profound and formative trauma of realising one's capacity to hurt a loved one. While the film has an engaging and original plot, impressive special effects, and a stellar cast, it falls short in its execution, with lacklustre acting and a script that fails to build tension or deliver scares.

The film's treatment of its central theme is muddled and heavy-handed. Writer-director Rick Bieber seems more interested in showcasing horror movie tropes and clichés than in exploring the psychological depth of his characters. The result is a film that feels disjointed and fails to leave a lasting impression.

The acting in "Don't Sleep" is unremarkable at best. The talented cast, including Dominic Sherwood as Zach, Charlbi Dean Kriek as Shawn, and Cary Elwes as Dr. Richard Sommers, fail to elevate the material with their performances. The characters come across as one-dimensional and fail to engage the audience emotionally.

The script, also by Bieber, is clumsy and fails to build tension or create a sense of dread. The dialogue is overly expository, with secondary characters repeatedly telling Zach how good his life is instead of showing it. The plot is convoluted and confusing, with unnecessary twists and turns that fail to add depth to the story. The film's attempt to explore the impact of Zach's actions on those around him falls flat, coming across as victim-blaming instead of thought-provoking.

Overall, "Don't Sleep" is a disappointing entry in the horror genre. While it has some interesting ideas and impressive effects, the lacklustre acting and script fail to elevate it beyond a mediocre slog. The film fails to deliver on its promise of terror, leaving audiences bored and confused instead of scared.

Unconvincing special effects

While some viewers have praised the film's special effects, others have criticised them as unconvincing.

One review states that the film's "generic boogeymen antagonists allude to traumas without ever convincingly carrying them out". Another calls the film's hooded figures "not so much demonic as badly in need of dental work and acne medication".

However, some viewers have found the effects impressive. One review states that the film features "impressive effects" and "perfect casting". Another commends the "considerable amount of time and dedication" that went into the effects, as well as the "elegant and phenomenal" design of the creatures.

Despite the mixed reviews, the film's special effects makeup artist, Chris Mills III, and his team have been recognised for their dedication and attention to detail, particularly given the film's low budget.

Inappropriate casting

The 2017 horror film "Don't Sleep" has been criticized for its inappropriate casting choices. The movie centers on Zach, a young man who is haunted by nightmares from his childhood that start to intrude on his real life. As a child, Zach is played by Dash Williams, and as an adult, the character is portrayed by Dominic Sherwood.

One review points out that the casting of Sherwood as a law student is inappropriate, as the character appears to spend more time "fixing his floppy hair and three-day scruff" than studying. This criticism highlights a disconnect between the actor's appearance and the profession of his character, suggesting that the casting choice may have contributed to the overall lack of authenticity in the film.

Additionally, the supporting cast has been described as unconvincing, with their behavior and dialogue feeling suspiciously inappropriate and guilty. The review by Simon Abrams for Roger Ebert specifically calls out the character of Timmy, played by Andrew Caldwell, who jokes about wanting to "make it" with Zach's wife, Shawn, played by Charlbi Dean Kriek. This dynamic contributes to the perception of Shawn as a “trophy” or “afterthought” in a story that should have centered more on the impact of Zach's actions and past on those around him.

The inappropriate casting choices in "Don't Sleep" extend beyond the main characters. Alex Rocco, who plays Vincent Marino's father, Mr. Marino, is described as "deserv [ing] better" in what was his final film performance. The character's suicide, which serves as a pivotal plot point, fails to land due to the superficial treatment of the character and the actor's inability to convey the necessary depth and gravity.

Overall, the inappropriate casting in "Don't Sleep" contributes to the film's overall sense of dissonance and failure to connect with its audience. The actors' appearances, behaviors, and delivery are at odds with the story being told, resulting in a disconnect that undermines the film's impact and engagement.

Confusing plot

"Don't Sleep" is a 2017 horror film that follows a young couple, Zach and Shawn, who move into a cottage together and experience a series of bizarre and violent episodes. The plot centres around Zach's forgotten childhood trauma, which may be linked to demonic possession. While the movie has been praised for its acting, effects, and witty script, it has also been criticised for its confusing and convoluted plot.

One review states that the film is "horrible...you're confused the whole movie and then the ending makes you even MORE confused." The reviewer, who gave the film 0.5 out of 5 stars, suggests that the movie doesn't make sense, despite their appreciation for confusing films. Another review describes the film as "awkward" and "underwhelming," indicating that the plot fails to build tension or deliver a satisfying conclusion.

The movie has been criticised for its heavy-handed use of horror movie tropes and its convoluted narrative structure. One review notes that the film "tries a little bit of everything" in terms of horror clichés but fails to deliver a memorable or cohesive story. The plot, which involves time jumps and multiple characters with interconnected pasts, has been described as "unnecessarily convoluted."

Additionally, the film's ending has been characterised as a "hokey twist" that fails to provide a satisfying resolution to the story. The reviewer suggests that the ending attempts to absolve the main character of responsibility for his actions and portray his problems as universal, but this falls flat due to the lack of development and exploration of the other characters.

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