In My Sleep (2010) User Reviews

'To sleep, perchance to dream...'

[gradyharp · 6/10 · 17 March 2012]

Allen Wolf makes a fairly impressive writing/directing debut with this tense little thriller. Though there are many aspects of the film that seem like it is a very low budget, quickly produced little grade B movie, the presence of Philip Winchester makes it work. Not only is this actor first class eye candy, he holds a character well and makes us believe a rather implausible plot.

Marcus (Philip Winchester) suffers from parasomnia (a category of sleep disorders that involves abnormal and unnatural movements, behaviors, emotions, perceptions, and dreams that occur while falling asleep, sleeping, between sleep stages, or during arousal from sleep. Most parasomnias are dissociated sleep states which are partial arousals during the transitions between wakefulness and NREM sleep, or wakefulness and REM sleep). He awakens with blood stained hands and when he hears that a close friend Ann (Kelly Overton) has been murdered he fears the worst. His best friend tries to be supportive but the police disrupt Marcus' own investigation of his behavior patterns when they come to arrest him for the murder. How the story ends is wracked with suspense and keeps the audience in suspense to the last minute.

The supporting cast is spotty, but Lacey Chabert, Abigail Spencer and even Kirsten Vangsness from The Mentalist television series give solid support. This is not a great movie but it is a chance to watch Philip Winchester grow beyond his previous roles and become a solid leading man.

Grady Harp

Great premise, mediocre results in routine low-budget mystery

[highwaytourist · 5/10 · 25 February 2014]

This film starts with a great idea, that a young man with a severe and unusual form of insomnia may have murdered someone while sleepwalking. If only the people who wrote and produced this film knew what to do with it. Unfortunately, they weren't up to the challenge. The result is a cheap-looking murder mystery that's completely ordinary. The low budget shows and it's more like watching a television episode than a motion picture. In fairness, The film could have been worse. It is tolerable and at times it's mildly interesting. Also, women who watch will enjoy the site of the hunky lead Phillip Winchester shirtless much of the time. My only complaint is that it could have been so interesting and so suspenseful, much better than it was. Alfred Hitchcock could have worked wonders with the idea.

Surprisingly good

[whiteshadow1606 · 6/10 · 4 September 2010]

Okay, i gotta say this. The 1st time i saw the title of the movie, it doesn't really ring my thrilled-bell. I thought it was just a lame, boring movie that i can watch when i don't have other movie to watch anymore. But, I'm surely glad that i watched it last night.

This movie is brilliant. I mean the plot. It kept me wondering whether it is true or not that he is sleepwalking (and who the real murderer is). When the time that you thought the case is solved, it's just kept coming with a new plot. And keep you wondering again. I just love this kind of movie.

But, there is this slight parts where i think won't be necessary in this movie. They could just be cut out. I'm not gonna say which parts.

But, frankly, in average, i would recommend you this movie.

Not very good

[jim-kohli · 1/10 · 14 June 2013]

The premise seems interesting, but the writing, acting, directing and the music track don't meet that expectation.

The plot does not deviate from the premise that the hero is killing (or seriously injuring) people in his sleep. You, the viewer, will be in a remorseless state of doubt the whole time, with the only question being if not him, the who else and how did the find out about some of the incriminating details, but the movie doesn't flirt with any other possibilities, making it increasingly clear, as the movie goes on, that it has to be someone else responsible for the trail of violence. Sorry, long sentence.

The music track goes from suspenseful strings to uplifting incessantly and yes, that's it, sometimes leading to odd what-the-what moments for the mood.

The emotional close-ups linger for just a tad too long and seem too forced. The camera angles are frequently too close or too unsteady for a close-up. The family pictures that are 20 years old look like they are a couple of weeks old, which wouldn't be bad except that they are featured in close-ups. The birthday party scene just seems awkward from end-to-end. Where are his buddies? Guys like that live for their buddies. The dialog at the party seems like it was contrived by someone with very little experience and with a very low standard for cleverness or intrigue. And how many parties have you been to where two guys sitting in the middle of it are having a hushed conversation that isn't difficult because of all the other conversations and/or music? The final scene with Marcus in the sand, father walking into the waves at sunset, and seagull flapping away seemed strangely artsy and incongruous with other messages in the movie-- really, he loved his cheating father? The father is now not going to haunt him any more and this is how you get that? Yikes.

On the plus side, the casting seemed pretty solid. I wish I had more nice things to say about this movie.

Slow start but then really really good

[fire-58 · 7/10 · 22 December 2011]

This movie started slow and i was kinda wondering where it was going but then it got on course.

This movie seemed really original, it had kind of a "American psycho" feel to it.

The acting was a little bit forced at times but over all seemed good.

The main guy did a great job in the movie, he really made the movie.

Looking at this movie it came out in 2009 i just got it from red box and its almost 2012, i thought that it was new but it was not.

WATCH it and you will like it, it has a lot of suspense.

There are a lot of cute girls to watch at the very least

Philip Winchester and his body

[Vincentiu · 26 January 2012]

all the virtue of movie is the occasion for Winchester to expose his body.and it is enough. no story, no dialog, no thriller. only a murder and search of killer. mixed feelings, chaotic tale, a lot of pretty women, few sketches from Freud, fake tension and not spectacular end. script - hunting of wind, cast - for not be empty the stage, childish wise and burnt slices of love story. a game about important things without any deep sense. so, the sin is just to massacred a good idea. ignore opportunities, rules of a thriller, invent a boring story about guilty and obsession for abandon it very easy.result - a poor movie about a guy and his sleep problem.

Not the Best Movie

[bnlombardi · 3/10 · 21 March 2012]

The movie was slow moving-took forever to get to the suspense and point of what is really going on.

I think that the plot is pretty predictable-the picturing is very low budget.

The trailer makes the movie look very appealing. The actor and actresses are not the best quality.

I would not recommend watching this movie unless you are extremely bored.

I thought this was going to be a suspense thriller/mystery and it was all pretty predictable.

Average Thriller Interesting to watch

[drklabs · 6/10 · 20 July 2010]

This is an Average Thriller with nice suspense not too important but watchable , nice plot filmed in studio most of the parts and no photography at all ,low budget film but as i m saying again it is watchable 2-3 actors and thats all.Its not the film you ll watch it again, but really nice try.Also the end disappoints. You will not loose your time if you gonna watch it. Not many other things to talk about , one scene really scared me it was so unexpected also i think that they didn't handled well the thing with the sleepwalking it was missing something or it was so exaggerated. Also i didn't liked the plot in many points like the girl from the hospital or the mother.

Don't. Just, don't.

[jpost-69461 · 1/10 · 7 December 2018]

I suffered through this movie because of all the positive reviews on here. I'm pretty sure they all watched a different movie. This waste of time is full of plot holes, predictability, and meaningless side plots. The acting is fair, but not enough to make up for the horrible writing. Please, just move on and save yourself.

Real thriller

[ksana-692-639318 · 6/10 · 7 June 2013]

This film is a real thriller as it kept me awake at night after I watched it. The storyline is quite intricate. I couldn't guess the killer till the end of the film. Moreover, I was suspicious of all the characters. The shooting is very nice and enjoyable for watching. I like the script and the way it was realized.

The main character is a young and handsome man having problems with sleep, so the combination of good looking character and suspicion makes the film fascinating.

What happens when you sleep, maybe you sleepwalk too? What would you do if you were the main character of such a story? Watch the film and answer these questions for yourself.

A (Different) murder mystery - with eye candy!

[paulclaassen · 5/10 · 9 April 2023]

I'll confess, the main reason I decided to watch 'In my sleep' was due to that somewhat sexy poster.

Philip Winchester stars as Marcus, that sexy guy on the poster. If that poster is what drawn you to the movie, you won't be disappointed, as the film delivers more than a generous portion of eye candy. With Marcus being a sex addict - and having a gorgeous body - they find every excuse to show him shirtless.

The film starts with Marcus waking up covered in blood, with a bloodied knife on the floor... and he has no recollection of what happened. The film then goes back in time 40 days. Marcus is a sleepwalker, and sometimes even wakes up in a graveyard. A Guy walking in his sleep probably shouldn't sleep in his underwear, but hell, it makes for a good viewing experience!

That aside, 'In my sleep' is a fairly interesting film. It plays like a murder mystery, only different. This time Marcus fears he might have killed in his sleep, and is trying to trace what could have happened. With his best friend's wife being found murdered, he decides to do his own investigation.

There's a subtle love interest here as well. When Marcus decides to get help for his sex addiction by joining Sexaholics Anonymous, he starts a plutonic relationship with fellow sex addict Gwen (Abigail Spencer). There's quite a few twists involving Marcus' best friend and employer Justin, and Marcus' neighbour Becky, and Marcus himself.

'In my sleep' might not have the best script, but it was intriguing and entertaining, and I rather enjoyed it.

Fascinating Idea for a Thriller

[winterstarcontact · 9/10 · 16 November 2010]

Someone's killing your friends. You're shocked to discover that IT MIGHT BE YOU - doing it in your sleep. You have to be your own detective and solve the mystery before the police do, or else...

A great high concept idea powerfully acted by upcoming stars of television and film.

All the while there is a deep dark secret that needs to be uncovered to get to the answer.

I saw this in a theater in West Hollywood with a very crowded house who seemed to be enthralled. And from what I understand the show killed in both L.A. and NYC in the premieres. Also from what I've heard it has done very well at festivals as well.

The music score was particularly engaging and drew you deeper and deeper into the mystery - a de rigueur element for a thriller.

Great stuff. Go see it.

A good disturbia

[nightroses · 7/10 · 13 July 2021]

This is a very good mystery thriller by Morning Star. A lot of mythical symbols and parallels with Shakespeare now and then. The movie itself is original and the acting is good. Overall a really interesting story.

Boring...

[jennifer-25-965231 · 21 August 2011]

Wow… im not sure what to say about this movie. I guess I can start by going over the plot.

Scene 1: Man goes to sleep… man wakes up and see's blood! Scene 2: Man goes to sleep… man wakes up and see's blood!! Scene 3: Man goes to sleep… man wakes up and see's blood!!!

So ya. You get it so I won't go on. Of course there was a pretty crazy storyline that would have been awesome if the whole movie wasn't just this guy going to sleep and waking up with blood on him. I kept expecting something to happen other then this guy going to sleep and waking up… but nothing ever did happen. There is some dialogue in the movie obviously which explains the story but that's all it was… dialogue. Nothing more.

This may be a great film for someone who loves a thriller with no gore or action just loves the whole mystery behind it all as it slowly unfolds, so ya, I get the good reviews. I am not that person. I need action, I need to see what's going on, I need a little bit of scare. This movie was not for me.

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A sleep walking mystery

[phd_travel · 6/10 · 21 March 2019]

A sleep walker played by Philip Winchester tries to piece together why he wakes up with blood and a knife. There are some familiar faces like Abigail Spencer and Lacey Chabert. It's an average watch that keeps you mildly interested to see the explanation.

Good Suspenseful Thriller

[buffchic18 · 10/10 · 20 August 2011]

A little slow to start, but once into 1/3 of the movie it sucks you in! Good choices on the cast; Philip Winchester, Lacey Chabert, even Michael Badalucco!! I'd seen Philip Winchester on a different movie and googled his work history and found him on this movie and was instantly intrigued! Love the suspenseful parts of it, because it really scared me or at least made me jump a little bit in my seat! I would recommend this movie to others who are looking for a suspenseful drama thriller type movie!! So worth the wait!! So if you haven't already seen it, you should drop everything and go and see it! You'll enjoy the laughs and the thrilling parts that get all rolled up in this film!

nothing new

[Kirpianuscus · 18 June 2017]

a thriller. like too many others. a good looking guy. a murder. few drops of Freud. discover of the most important things in life. and a sleep problem who could remind Hitchcock. it is not easy to say if it is a bad film. because the rules of genre are respected, the performances are decent, the lead actor tries to do his job in reasonable manner. sure, something missing. but , no surprise. because it is one of many thrillers who, using few high level concepts, are only examples of an old and useful recipes.

A Must See Thriller

[vijienentertainment · 10/10 · 11 November 2009]

Oh my goodness, I had the opportunity to watch this movie on the last night of the 2009 24th Annual Fort Lauderdale Film Festival. It was absolutely brilliant. I am a huge mystery "thriller" type of gal, and can usually figure out the plot in movies like this. But I must say, I was stunned when the real killer was revealed. Boy, was I wrong!

Philip Winchester did an amazing job, and kudos to writer and director Allen Wolf. Simply magnificent, and what a wonderful way to end the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival. Keep up the good work Philip. I see why the film was a favorite among participants this year. Enjoy its success.

Suspenseful, Keeps you Guessing, Excellently Written!

[talinbahadarian · 10/10 · 27 April 2010]

I rarely rave about movies, but without exaggeration it's truly one of the best movies I've seen in a very long time.

The movie is a well-written edge-of-your-seat thriller, interlaced with incredible suspense, Hitchcockian elements, a fantastic plot, great intensity, wonderful musical score, and even humor along the way.

If you like movies like Memento and the Usual Suspects, and appreciate movies with twists and turns that keep you guessing the entire time, you'll love this movie. After I saw this movie, I couldn't stop talking or thinking about it. It's one of those movies that stays in your mind and makes you think through it and ask questions about it for several days. (And one that you'll want to see again once you figure everything out).

An edge of the seat suspense thriller..

[brclmia · 10/10 · 21 April 2010]

I saw this movie in Omaha -- it is fantastic!

This is an entirely modern movie with a suspenseful plot -- murder, infidelity, nightmares -- that draws elements from Hitchcock, maintaining a visually interesting and austere production look and feel. Most of the 'bad' stuff happens off screen but the editing keeps you sitting on the edge of your seat and experiencing the action the whole way through. The director Allen Wolf has developed a visual style that integrates elements of Hitchcock with modern, current camera angles and technique.

Wolf uses innovative camera angles, dislocation in sequential time, and characters none of whom are exactly what they seem to be. Everyone has something to hide -- everyone seems to have a secret -- and everyone is watching everyone else. The audience gets to watch it all -- and feels swept into the suspense.

This one has earned the awards the film festivals have already given it!

Brilliant plot

[MisterAwesome · 8/10 · 15 November 2010]

I saw this movie a moment ago and i didn't expect it to be this good. At first hand i was suspecting some B-film with B-actors but it turned out to be the opposite.

The plot was very well written and although you constantly think you know what happened just turns out to be completely wrong. It is very impressive that they made it look like some particular way that you couldn't resist suspecting Marcus for the murders. All the things in the movie were coherent even the little things, like the trip count in his car, which is connected to the murder of Ann. Those details made the movie very strong and even though you constantly suppose Marcus is the murderer, the motives Justin has at the end of the movie to kill Ann and set up Marcus are very convincing and well thought-out.

I also think that Philip Winchester did very well and did a great job in his role as the confused sleep walker who isn't sure about anything anymore.

All in all, i was really satisfied after watching this movie.

Twisty tour-de-force that keeps you very much awake!

[ptrautmann · 10/10 · 27 April 2010]

I got to see this film in LA and loved it. It's a true thriller in the Hitchcockian tradition- a very twisty, subtly persuasive and psychologically driven tour-de-force! The plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, with a crescendo of excitement that peaks with a very unforeseen final outcome. It's such a creative premise- one I've never heard of before- which adds to the sense of disturbing discovery the audience shares with the main character. I so appreciated some of the stellar performances. Most of the actors were new to me but some familiar...the director was able to extract excellent and memorable performances.

I'm the kind of person that really wants to talk about a movie after it's over...I hate just walking away like nothing happened (or walking away because nothing did happen in the movie I just saw!) But In My Sleep is such a good movie to bring friends to. There's so much to talk about, explore, question, figure out, explain...it almost requires a second viewing like Memento did.

It's also a rare mix of humor and drama. The audience laughed and yelped in surprise throughout the film. It has Tony Hale (Buster Bluth from Arrested Development), whom I find Hi-lar-i-ous! I'm glad I saw it, and will be bringing friends this weekend to see it again when it opens in NY at the Quad. I'm excited to see what the future holds for the director Allen Wolf, and for his cast!

Great New Thriller!

[teddy_downe · 17 October 2011]

In My Sleep is a fast paced, gripping, edge of your seat thriller that will keep you guessing right up to the very end!

The story plays out in an unpredictable and wonderfully spooky way, which is sure to keep you on your toes. The movie is a new aged thriller with many elements reminiscent to the master filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock's works.

It is a masterfully crafted film through and through from Writer/Director Allen Wolf.

If you enjoy a thriller that will keep you guessing at every turn, In My Sleep is the next film for you to see!

Fantastic Thriller

[MovieLover9898 · 9 December 2011]

I rarely rave about movies, but without exaggeration it's truly one of the best movies I've seen in a very long time.

The movie is a well-written edge-of-your-seat thriller, interlaced with incredible suspense, Hitchcockian elements, a fantastic plot, great intensity, wonderful musical score, and even humor along the way.

If you like movies like Memento and the Usual Suspects, and appreciate movies with twists and turns that keep you guessing the entire time, you'll love this movie. After I saw this movie, I couldn't stop talking or thinking about it. It's one of those movies that stays in your mind and makes you think through it and ask questions about it for several days. (And one that you'll want to see again once you figure everything out).