Parasomnia: a horror film about sleep disorders and a demonic presence
The debut film by James Ross II follows Riley, a woman who suffers from waking nightmares and maintains a strict sleep schedule to protect others from a malevolent entity. When her boyfriend breaks the protocol, a succubus is unleashed, leading to a complex narrative that eventually clarifies in a twist. The film features an all-Black cast and focuses on psychological horror, though it struggles to maintain scares due to its intricate plot.
The film’s plot hinges on a strict sleep protocol: Riley ensures others fall asleep before her to contain a demonic entity. A breach by her boyfriend releases a succubus, and the narrative initially blurs reality and nightmare. Director James Ross II clarifies the story with a third-act twist that reinterprets earlier events. The cast is entirely Black, though race is not a thematic focus. The film references classic horror tropes, including a nod to E.T.A. Hoffmann’s “The Sandman” through an eyeball-plucking fiend. It premieres on Shudder and AMC+ on 4 September.
This film may resonate with audiences increasingly anxious about sleep and its disorders, as the “sleep economy” grows. Viewers who struggle with insomnia or parasomnias could find the horror metaphor unsettling yet validating, while horror fans may weigh its complex plotting against its scare factor. Its all-Black cast, without centering race, could broaden representation in genre cinema, potentially influencing future casting choices. However, its impact likely remains niche, appealing mainly to streaming horror subscribers rather than sparking wider societal debate.