Miya Pearson
Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon in which a person feels the presence of a supernatural, malevolent being that immobilizes them as if sitting on their chest or the foot of their bed. This phenomenon has been depicted in horror movies such as The Conjuring, where Carolyn Perron, a mother of five, takes a nap and wakes up to find a terrifying hag on top of her, which marks the moment she becomes possessed and tries to kill her children. Another horror movie that explores sleep paralysis is Dead Awake, which follows twin sisters Beth and Kate Bowman, one of whom suffers from terrifying visions and paralysis while she sleeps. After her sister's death, Kate also starts experiencing sleep paralysis and encounters a hag-like figure. The short horror film Hag: A Film About Sleep Paralysis also centers around a character haunted by sleep paralysis and hallucinations of an old hag. These films showcase how the concept of sleep paralysis, often associated with the old hag syndrome, has been utilized in horror storytelling to create chilling and supernatural experiences for viewers.
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What You'll Learn
Sleep paralysis in horror films
Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon in which a person feels the presence of a supernatural, malevolent being that immobilizes them as if sitting on their chest or at the foot of their bed. This phenomenon has been depicted in several horror films, often featuring an old hag or witch-like character.
The 2012 short horror film "Hag" tells the story of Ellis, who has been haunted by sleep paralysis in the form of horrific hallucinations of an old hag. Similarly, the 2018 short film "Old Hag" revolves around a psychiatrist named Linda who tries to treat a patient suffering from sleep paralysis and tormented by an old woman, the "Old Hag".
The Conjuring, a horror film, also includes instances of sleep disorders, with one notable scene involving the mother, Carolyn Perron, experiencing what appears to be sleep paralysis as she takes a nap and discovers a terrifying hag on top of her, reminiscent of the "old hag" syndrome. Another film, Dead Awake, features twin sisters, one of whom suffers from terrifying visions and sleep paralysis, seeing a hag-like figure. The film also acknowledges the scientific explanation for sleep paralysis provided by sleep medicine professionals.
The phenomenon of sleep paralysis and the "Old Hag" syndrome have cultural variations in their interpretations. In Scandinavian folklore, sleep paralysis is caused by a "mare," a supernatural creature related to incubi and succubi. In Mexican culture, it is believed that sleep paralysis is caused by the spirit of a dead person lying upon the sleeper. In the Southern United States, the phenomenon is known as the "Hag," and in Newfoundland, it is believed that the Hag can be summoned as a curse.
The inclusion of sleep paralysis in horror films adds a layer of psychological terror, tapping into the universal fear of being immobilized and vulnerable to a supernatural threat. The depiction of the "Old Hag" in these films draws upon cultural beliefs and folklore surrounding sleep paralysis, creating a sense of familiarity and enhancing the horror experience for viewers.
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The Old Hag in folklore
In folklore, a hag is a wizened old woman, or a kind of fairy, witch, or goddess having the appearance of such a woman. They are often seen as malevolent, but may also be one of the chosen forms of shapeshifting deities, such as The Morrígan or Badb, who are seen as neither wholly good nor evil. The word "hag" is derived from the Proto-Germanic "hagatusjon", though its origin is unknown.
The "Old Hag" or "Night Hag" is a nightmare spirit in English and Anglophone North American folklore. The Old Hag is said to sit on a sleeper's chest and send them nightmares. When the sleeper wakes, they are unable to move or breathe for a short period of time—a phenomenon now known as sleep paralysis. In the past, this state was called being "hag-ridden", and it was believed to be caused by witchcraft. In the Swedish film "Marianne", the main character suffers from such nightmares.
In Newfoundland, Canada, the Old Hag is a witch-like creature that sits on a sleeper's chest, making it impossible to move or breathe. In manuscripts from as early as 1896 in Newfoundland, people shared stories of the Old Hag and what might be done to keep her at bay. In his 1982 book, "The Terror that Comes in the Night", David J. Hufford writes that in local culture, the way to call the Hag is to recite the Lord's Prayer backwards.
In Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga was a hag who lived in the woods in a house on chicken's legs. She would ride through the forest on a mortar, sweeping away her tracks with a broom. In Irish and Scottish mythology, the Cailleach is a hag goddess concerned with creation, harvest, the weather, and sovereignty. In Brazil, there is a legend about a mythological being called the pisadeira ("she who steps"), who is described as a tall, skinny old woman with long dirty nails and white tangled hair.
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Films about sleep disorders
Sleep disorders, and sleep paralysis in particular, have long been a source of fascination and horror in films. The figure of the 'old hag' in sleep paralysis is a well-known phenomenon, and it has been depicted in several horror films. One notable example is the 2012 short film "Hag", which centres on a character named Ellis who has been haunted by sleep paralysis and hallucinations of an old hag for his entire life.
Another film that explores sleep paralysis and the old hag is "Dead Awake", which follows twin sisters Beth and Kate Bowman. Beth suffers from terrifying visions and paralysis during her sleep and is told by Dr. Sykes that she is experiencing sleep paralysis and severe hallucinations. However, Beth soon dies in her sleep, and her sister Kate begins to experience the same paralysis and hallucinations, including the presence of a hag-like figure. Dr. Hassan Davies diagnoses Kate with "Old Hag's Syndrome", acknowledging the deadly threat within the sleep paralysis experience.
The 2018 short film "Old Hag" also delves into this theme, featuring a psychiatrist, Linda, who is trying to treat a patient suffering from sleep paralysis and regular torment by an old woman, the "Old Hag".
Other films that explore sleep disorders include "Slumber", which depicts a family collectively terrorized by sleep issues, including sleep paralysis and sleepwalking. "The Conjuring" also features instances of sleepwalking, with a notable scene involving the mother, Carolyn Perron, experiencing what appears to be sleep paralysis and seeing a terrifying hag, reminiscent of the old hag syndrome.
Additionally, "The Nightmare", a 2015 documentary by Rodney Ascher, explores the experiences of eight people who suffer from sleep paralysis, highlighting the similarities in their hallucinations. Wes Craven's "Nightmare on Elm Street" is also mentioned by one of the documentary's subjects as a film that perfectly captures her experience of sleep paralysis.
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The science of sleep paralysis
Sleep paralysis is a sleep disorder that affects people at any age, but symptoms usually show up in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. It is a phenomenon in which a person becomes conscious but finds themselves unable to move or speak temporarily. This occurs when a person passes between stages of wakefulness and sleep, getting stuck between sleep phases. During an episode, the person is aware of their surroundings but is unable to move or speak. They may also experience hallucinations, such as the presence of a dangerous person or a feeling of suffocation. These hallucinations can be vivid and feel real, and the person may recall the episode years later.
The science behind sleep paralysis suggests that it occurs during the sleep-onset REM (rapid eye movement) period of sleep when there is an overlap between REM sleep and wakefulness. The hallucinations that accompany sleep paralysis are believed to be a consequence of dream imagery intruding into waking consciousness. While there is no specific reason why people hallucinate certain scenarios, there are theories that explain the phenomenon. One theory suggests that the hallucinations are a result of decreased respiratory muscle activity during REM sleep due to the inhibition of motor neurons. During REM sleep, respiration becomes irregular, leading to significant reductions in alveolar ventilation and tidal volume, resulting in hypercapnia.
Sleep paralysis can be a frightening and anxiety-inducing experience, and it can cause emotional distress during and after an episode. While there is no treatment to stop an active episode, there are strategies to manage the underlying psychological and physical factors that trigger episodes. For example, Focused-Attention Meditation Combined with Muscle Relaxation (MR Therapy) has shown some clinical benefit in treating sleep paralysis. Additionally, identifying the triggering factors through questionnaires such as the Sleep Paralysis Experiences and Phenomenology Questionnaire (SP-EPQ) can aid in managing the condition.
The depiction of sleep paralysis has been explored in horror films such as "Dead Awake," "Slumber," and "The Conjuring." These films often showcase the terrifying aspects of sleep paralysis, such as hallucinations of old hags or evil entities, and the impact of sleep disorders on individuals and families.
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The Old Hag in pop culture
Sleep paralysis has long been a source of fascination and horror in popular culture, with the "old hag" or "night hag" being a recurring figure in film, folklore, and art. This supernatural creature is commonly associated with sleep paralysis, a condition where the sleeper feels an immobilizing presence and experiences hallucinations. The old hag is often described as an evil, grinning old woman who slowly and deliberately creeps into the room of her victim, relishing the terror she instills. This phenomenon has been given various names in different cultures, such as "Old Hag" in Newfoundland, Canada, and the Southern United States, and "mare" in Scandinavian folklore, derived from the Old English word for a monster that haunts dreams.
The old hag has made notable appearances in horror films such as "The Conjuring," where the character Carolyn Perron experiences sleep paralysis and sees a terrifying hag, evoking the classic image of the old hag in sleep paralysis. Another film, "Dead Awake," features twin sisters, one of whom suffers from sleep paralysis and encounters a hag-like figure. The short film "Hag: A Film About Sleep Paralysis" also explores this theme, with the protagonist Ellis haunted by hallucinations of an old hag due to sleep paralysis.
The old hag has also been depicted in art, with Henry Fuseli's famous painting "The Nightmare" capturing the terror of sleep paralysis. This painting, along with films like "Slumber," showcases the growing interest in sleep disorders and sleep medicine in the 21st century.
In some cultures, the old hag is believed to be more than just a supernatural creature. In his book "The Terror that Comes in the Night", David J. Hufford writes that in island folklore, the Hag can be summoned to attack someone as a form of curse. Additionally, in Tibetan culture, sleep paralysis is known as "dip-non" or "dip-phok," suggesting spiritual pollution. These cultural interpretations add a layer of complexity to the old hag in pop culture, showcasing how different societies have tried to understand and explain the terrifying phenomenon of sleep paralysis.
The old hag has also inspired horror in other forms of media, such as the podcast episode "The Old Hag," which explores the captivating parallels between sleep paralysis and the old hag. The episode delves into the reported experiences of those who have encountered the old hag and the potential psychological explanations for these terrifying encounters.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several horror movies that feature an old hag in relation to sleep paralysis, including *The Conjuring*, *Slumber*, *Dead Awake*, *Hag: A Film About Sleep Paralysis*, and *Old Hag*.
The old hag is a supernatural creature, commonly associated with sleep paralysis. Victims often report feeling conscious but experience the weight of a woman on their chest, restricting their breathing and movement. This phenomenon is known as "Old Hag Syndrome".
In Scandinavian folklore, the old hag is called a "mare", while in Tibetan culture, sleep paralysis is called "dip-non" or "dip-phok", which refers to a kind of spiritual pollution. In Turkish, it is called "karabasan", meaning "dark presser".
Yes, in Newfoundland, Canada, and in South Carolina and Georgia in the United States, the old hag is believed to be a negative figure that leaves her physical body at night and sits on the chest of her victim, causing sleep paralysis. In Mexico, it is believed that sleep paralysis is caused by the spirit of a dead person lying upon the sleeper.
