Parasomnia horror film explores waking

A new horror film uses a severe sleep disorder as its central terror. 'Parasomnia,' directed by James Ross II, follows an adult woman whose waking nightmares unleash a dangerous supernatural presence.

The Strict Sleep Protocol

After a traumatic childhood event, the protagonist Riley maintains a strict sleep routine as an adult. She ensures everyone in her home falls asleep before she does. This protocol apparently protects them from a malevolent entity that invades her nights. The film explores the anxiety of this necessary ritual.

When the Protocol Fails

The horror escalates when Riley's boyfriend, Cam, is lax in letting her fall asleep before him. This breach allows her resident succubus to break loose again. A visiting friend, David, witnesses the pale demon manifesting in the small hours, confirming the very real danger of Riley's condition.

The film's structure is ambitiously scrambled, aiming for a claustrophobic experience. Director James Ross II concentrates on maintaining this disorienting feel, though the source notes this may come at the detriment of the overall fear factor.

The Landscape of the Nightmare

Within her dreams, Riley inhabits the perspective of the fiend and wanders a hellish labyrinth where past victims are trapped. The levels of cause and effect between reality and fantasy are initially confusing. The source suggests the eyeball-plucking monster may be a nod to ETA Hoffmann's Sandman.

Thankfully, the director clarifies the complex mythology with a burst of guiding lore in the third act. An ingenious switchback revises the viewer's understanding of the previous events.

Despite this sturdy construction, the Guardian's review states the film remains only mildly scary. The review attributes this to interruptions and vagaries of the complex setup. The performances are described as middling and not extreme enough. The generic, chalk-faced bogeyman is called a mere stain on Freddy Krueger's jersey.

However, the review finds an undeniable astuteness and agility in the storytelling. It concludes that this is a foundation on which director James Ross II can build future work. The film features an all-black cast, though the source notes race is not a central preoccupation of the story.