At first newly married partners Hyun-su and Soo-jin decide his strange nighttime antics result from rehearsing in his dreams. As a bit-part actor, the cute couple watches his performances on television, and both dream of hitting the big time. Soo-jin is pregnant. Now at home resting while she waits for the baby, she notices a change in her partner for life. Looking a lot like a sleep disorder, Soo-jinn initially thinks he’s just really stressed.
“Someone’s Inside.
Who’s Inside?”
Quote from the movie, Sleep 2024
Sleep is the type of horror movie that stands out. Director Jason Yu encroaches on what Mother of Movies calls “over-the-line movie behavior.” The Coffee Table and, The Sickness are examples being boundary crossing in a more confronting way. Others like this, The Medium or even the Australian horror movie, Sting, utilise lesser grievances like small animals.
Sleep can’t be considered confronting, in an on-screen gore way. But if animal misfortune is something you would rather live without, then steer clear.
After some initially sedate but creepily volatile incidents with Hyun-su and his sleepwalking, he loses his job on screen. The night before a very important day on set, Soo-jinn wakes to find her husband scratching. Unable to be woken up or stop him from continuing she falls asleep. In the morning she wakes, only to find a bloodied mess. With such a massive wound to his face, Hyun Su changes even more.
His behavior becomes increasingly frightening. They see a doctor about their concerns. But after being given the brush-off and an obligatory brochure, Soo-jinn quietly freaks out.
No one seems to think sleepwalking is anything to worry about. Her husband’s face was a bloodied mess. His hands are now adorned with mittens for sleep. Despite it all, they put their best face forward, safety-proof their home, change their diet, and start the prescribed medication.
Wake Up to Pure Dread
Sleep captures a sense of dread that comes from several sources. Soo-jin’s love for her best friend and life partner is undermined by a real fear for herself. After the baby comes along, she fears for the safety of it too. This dramatic atmosphere is compounded by a naturally sleep-deprived new parent phase. After returning to the same doctor, Hyun-su is labeled as having an “REM sleep behavior disorder” as casually as if Hyun-su was snoring at night.
“Together you can overcome anything”
Ghosts Who Exploit You While You Sleep
Sleep is fabulously awkward, dark, and a little silly, but it’s one to add to your watch list. Especially if you love Asian cinema and quirky films that stray from the generic line of classic sub-genres. After watching the Netflix horror film The Deliverance, criticism resounded around the generic nature of its supernatural elements.
Underrated Horror Movie Gem
This title does not have the same problem as films many have seen. The supernatural narrative in this soon-to-be underrated horror movie gem is used exceptionally well. Its simplistic structure and dialogue give it its comedic edge. Additionally, if you like a satisfying finale, the big reveal delivers an unconventional twist on top of a unique story.
Despite being a possession movie at its core, Sleep handles this aspect with abandoned glee. The mystery focuses on who wants to hurt Soo-Jinn. Every single thing her husband ends up doing directly affects her the entire run time. Is it her husband? Or could it be something else at play?
“You live with two men, it seems”
Quote from the 2023 Jason Yu Magnolia Films flick
Releases in 2024 | Magnolia Pictures
Performances are the dollop of glue that creates a dynamic that keeps the beats of the feature moving along without any filler. Soo-Jinn is played by Train to Busan’s Jung Yu-mi who was brilliant in every minute of this production. The generosity of the side characters added complexity and value instead of being just there for show. Find more from Magnolia Pictures on their YouTube Channel.
Adding to its watchability, fans of Lee Sun-kyun will be sad to know his role as Hyun-Su was his last. Lee Sun-kyun died shortly after completion. He starred in Parasite.
Don’s miss this one, it’s super fun.
Sleep Trailer 2023
Magnet Releasing will release SLEEP in theaters and digital on September 27, 2024. For more ways to watch, check out the link from JustWatch.com, which will let you set a reminder for the release dates of movies like this and others.
For another movie where not being awake is the main theme of the narrative watch Come True / Sleepless Beauty / or Dream Scenario
Recommendations from Mother of Movies
Sleep is rated
4.5 Babies in danger out of 5
Hit the triangle for the clue that solves the mystery of who wants to hurt Soo-Jinn.
The Main Clue for the Sleep Movie – That Solves the Mystery
“No more barking dogs
No more crying babies
Let me live in peace
Just you and I”
Sleep 2024 | Where Would You Go In Your Dreams? - Mother of Movies
Director: Steven Yu
Date Created: 2023-05-21 21:52
4.5
