There are certain ideas that can freak someone out just by mentioning them. Ideas so bizarre, you just can’t shake them. When those are executed in a horror movie, they can help make it less scary or have the opposite effect, really getting under your skin. Watch Me Sleep (2023) makes the thought even more impactful by adopting a dramatic approach that’s engrossing and frightening.
Filmmaker John Williams wrote and co-directed the film with Steve Wood. While not perfect, it does work in several different ways, and for a tiny-budgeted film, it manages to have an impact.
After the loss of his mother, Sean (Darren McAree) has a coffin-cam installed in order to watch her post-mortem. Once she’s buried, hopefully all the camera catches is her decomposition, which is a horrifying idea in itself. The question still remains: what if she starts to move? What if there’s something in there with her that causes a resurrection, and she claws her way out?
Sean might think he is, but he’s not prepared for the evil that he’s about to cross paths with. He has his own demons to fight off while wondering if this supernatural entity is real or just in his head.
Watch Me Sleep works best when Sean has to question his reality. His character arc is the film’s centerpiece. He’s obviously troubled by his past, but how he handles the trauma and the eventual unwinding is quite interesting. The acting is fantastic, and McAree really gives life to this troubled character.
Most reviews tend to spoil the twist, so I want to keep this brief and not give too much away. The marketing is a bit misleading, but once you realize this is a slow-burn and more visceral type of horror flick, you’ll begin to appreciate the approach. It’s far from perfect and suffers from a couple of pacing issues, but overall, it’s a solid ride.
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Wild Eye Releasing has released the film on DVD with a limited amount of bonus features, like an image gallery and trailers. If you go into Watch Me Sleep with an open mind and no expectations, you might end up surprised by how strong the story actually is. These films can sometimes be marketed to the wrong audience, which can lead to low scores.
I enjoyed that it’s a character study with horror elements, showcasing a strong central performance from Darren McAree. Williams and Wood have strong voices that will only grow stronger with time.
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