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Deep Dive: The Nightmare (2015)

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The Nightmare
The Nightmare is a 2015 documentary directed by Rodney Ascher that focuses on sleep paralysis, a condition where individuals are temporarily unable to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. The film features interviews with participants who share their terrifying experiences, which are then re-created with professional actors. Ascher's personal experience with sleep paralysis influenced his choice of subject, making the film both a personal and collective exploration of this phenomenon. The documentary began its journey at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2015, and later screened at South by Southwest on March 13. It received a limited theatrical release on June 5, 2015, and was also made available online. Critics generally responded positively, with a 67% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 69 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating favorable reviews from various media outlets.

Why Watch

  • •Meet people sharing real sleep paralysis stories
  • •See re-creations of terrifying experiences
  • •Find out why critics praised its unique approach

Did You Know

•The Nightmare premiered at Sundance on January 26, 2015.
•The film has a 67% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 58 reviews.
•Participants began approaching the film crew after the premise was announced.

Perfect For

Sleep disordersPsychological horrorDocumentary enthusiasts