User Reviews

While visiting his friend Billy (Dov Tiefenbach) in the rehabilitation of a local psychiatric hospital, the arts student Danny Sloan (Dylan Purcell) decides to see the serial killer Byron Volpe (Patrick Kilpatrick), who is a deranged hypnotizer that used his ability to control his victims and keeps saying "tick tick" that is arrested wearing a hood to cover his eyes, in a cell in the end of the corridor. When he passes by the room of Laura Baxter (Cherilyn Wilson), he becomes fascinated with her angelical beauty and discovers that she has Parasomnia or the Sleeping Beauty syndrome, sleeping most of the time and awaking briefly on a few moments only. Billy visits the girl in other occasions falling in love with her; when he finds that she will be transferred to serve as experiment in a clinic with bad reputation, he decides to abduct Laura and bring her to his apartment. However, Byron also loves Laura and controls her nightmares, and uses his power to bring her back to him in a trail of blood.

First of all, the weird "Parasomnia" definitely has potential of cult-movie. The absurd and odd story begins like a romantic tale (I believed it would be an update of Sleeping Beauty), introducing the gorgeous and lovely Cherilyn Wilson (her breasts are perfect); shifts to horror, supported by a magnificently bizarre cinematography that recalls in some moments Guillermo Del Toro's "El Laberinto del Fauno"; a cameo of Sean Young and John Landis; the cult Jeffrey Combs in the role of Detective Garrett; and a creepy and evil villain, performed by Patrick Kilpatrick. The overture of "Romeo and Juliet" is used in one of the most bizarre, disturbing and imaginative scenes I have ever seen in a horror movie. Last but not the least, there are lots of gore to satisfy the fans. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Sonâmbulos" ("Sleepwalkers")

Quite an interesting movie! I didn't expected to be that good to be honest. That is why it was a pleasant surprise. The only two really negative things that I found are: firstly somewhere in the middle it seemed to be stretched a little bit that it somehow loses its point (not that bad though, it gets right back into place) and secondly I was hopping to see more of Sean Young. More than her grand exit in the beginning of the movie! If you have Sean Young I think that you should use her a little bit more, not just for a few minutes! At least I got to see a lot of Jeffrey Combs, who is really great, in a role where he doesn't play someone crazy! Patrick Kilpatrick was great too. He gave me the Goosebumps! This movie was really amazing! Like a crazy painting or something an artist would have dreamed! Tick tick and the nightmare begins… Tick tick dreams and reality are mixed with one another. Dreams made of crystals and a fragile reality. What would you choose if you could? In the middle of these two worlds is a girl suffering from a sleeping disorder. What will she do? Tick tick time is passing by. A crazy movie which deserves a chance, so give it a try. I think that most of you will like this one. It is a really great thriller.

OK, I'm now convinced that, not only is Hollywood illiterate but now they don't even know how to watch movies. Why doesn't his movie have a big release in this country? While visiting with a friend in L. A., I saw this at a special screening in Hollywood at the Egyptian Theater. The director said they were still looking for a distributor. A fact I find unbelievable. I had never heard of this film yet what I saw lit up in the dark was one of the best... I was going to say horror movies... but JUST PLAIN MOVIES that I've seen. Instead Hollywood gives us over-blown remakes of remakes. This is one of the most original, fun, and entertaining films I've ever watched. Are these guys asleep at the switch?

This movie is really interesting because it starts out slowly and then begins turning the thumb screws down until you're about to yell. We see this kid (Danny) through a series of very bad decisions... get himself deeper and deeper into a hole until you wonder how he's ever going to be able to get out of it. What's cool is his actions are completely understandable because of his obsession with this sleeping girl..(The chick who plays her is VERY HOT!!!! BTW). This movie does something that you just don't see in movies now. The build to the end gets more and more intense and reveals more layers and convolutions than a Nixon investigation. I'm not going to say more than that, 'cause I don't want to give anything away but the last half of this movie is just plain great. This has one of the best endings in a film ever. Judging from the films I've seen in the last few years this must be hard to do. The look and mood of the film is unique. The movie is lush and creepy like a dream that you don't want to wake up from. You just want to go back there and revisit those places and live in that world with those people.

OK, I'm gong to be kind and imagine that Warner Bros, Sony, MGM, 20th Century Fox and all those guys have never heard of this film either... Yeah.. That's it.

Initially when I picked up "Parasomnia" from Amazon, it was simply because Jeffrey Combs is in the movie. But I must admit that I didn't particularly have any expectations to it, as I had never heard about the movie before, and happened to come across it by sheer luck.

Having seen it now, I must admit that I am positively surprised, because the movie turned out to be quite interesting, and had some really interesting visuals and some disturbing images and ideas. And that was really something new and fresh to see, and it helped the movie quite a lot.

The story is about young art student Danny Sloan (played by Dylan Purcell) who comes across Laura Baxter (played by Cherilyn Wilson) who is suffering from 'parasomnia'. Laura is in a health facility where the dangerous mass-murdering mentalist/hypnotist Byron Volpe (played by Patrick Kilpatrick). Byron is in love with Laura and Danny's clever plan to help Laura escape from the hospital sets in motion a murderous rage in Byron. With police detective Garrett (played by Jeffrey Combs) on the case, time is slowly ticking out for Danny, as the police and the dangerous murderer is closing in on him.

Despite the story seeming like it is fairly standard and generic, it does offer something unique and interesting to the horror genre. And it is well worth watching, if not for anything else, then for the visuals alone; because there are some rather disturbing images and visuals throughout the movie.

The people cast for the movie did good jobs with their given roles, and it was nice to see some new faces on the screen, and have them do good jobs with their characters.

For horror and thriller fans alike, then "Parasomnia" is definitely worth watching, and I was thoroughly entertained by it.

OK so the movie does not have a high budget. The acting from the two younger leads is mediocre at best. But the psycho killer character and the unusual production style are what keep the momentum and interest in this movie going. I found elements of "The Cell", "Silence of the Lambs", and "Saw" all wrapped in one. The quirky style of many scenes in the movie has elements of Tim Burton and "Puppet Master". The creepy and astounding score also lend major points to an otherwise average horror thriller story. The movie was genuinely creepy and somewhat scary at several moments, but scary in a suspenseful way and not so much a frightening way. With the slew of horrible horror movies, high budgets and low, this one definitely stands out as above average and unique in it's own way. If you can get past the amateurish acting of the two young leads and the low budget aspects of the film that are apparent here and there, you will find a fantastic and gripping horror movie.

I thought about giving it a three star rating, but... two is enough.

This is a really bad movie! The only positive thing that I can think about is the prolonged scene in the basement or wherever when the two girls are playing the concert and all those mechanical dolls and other toys seem to coma alive. It is beautifully done and these 5,6 minutes are the only good out of more than 90 minutes.

Though the premise of the film is good one, and parasomnia can give interesting plot, it is not going to happen in this movie. The acting is rather bad. The detective is super lame and unbearable to watch. It is a parody almost of 'bad cops'. The main male role is half believable in his role. This is not a horror but a parody of horror films.

And the ending is ... just lol!

I was privileged last night to attend a screening of a new film entitled PARASOMNIA written and directed by WILLIAM MALONE (House on Haunted Hill-1999, FeardotCom-2002, Masters of Horror-"Fair Haired Child). PARASOMNIA is part of Screamfest 2008, the annual horror film festival, but this film spans more than just the horror genre. It is somewhat outside the horror box in that it is more of a dark, twisted, nightmare of a fairy tale almost creating its own visually exciting genre.

The story tells of DANNY (DYLAN PURCELL) a young man who becomes fascinated with a modern Sleeping Beauty in LAURA BAXTER (portrayed by the delightful and charming newcomer CHERLIN Wilson) who suffers from Parasomnia or the Sleeping Beauty syndrome, which causes her to sleep more often than wake. He comes across her in the psyche ward of a hospital while visiting his artist friend BILLY (DOV TIEFENBACH) incarcerated there on a court forced rehab.

Like any good ghost or horror story Billy tells Danny about the girl and the insane serial killer held in the padded cell next to her, one BYRON VOLPE (wonderfully played by veteran bad guy PATRICK KILPATRICK). Volpe, a rare book dealer and mesmerist, used his unnerving mental powers to control his victims, especially his ex-wife (a much too brief cameo by SEAN YOUNG) to commit suicide or murder.

Somehow Volpe has the ability to enter Laura's dreams, tormenting her in a bizarre dream world (A place worthy of Guillermo Del Toro) he controls. Danny realizes he met Laura when they were both children and his fascination with her turns to love. Upon learning she is going to be transferred to the custody of DR. EGON BHYLE (LOUIS GRAHAM) and his questionable sleep disorder clinic for experiments, Danny plots to rescue Laura from her lab-rat fate.

Not realizing Volpe considers the helpless girl his possession, Danny successfully absconds with Laura, taking her to his artist's apartment. Along the way, the girl awakes in Danny's car and unaccustomed to finding herself outside the hospital, freaks out a little. When Danny pulls over to calm her, Laura is out of the car diving head long into the moist grass. Wilson pulls this scene off with an innocent charm without it descending into camp as she falls back asleep, face in the grass.

Once at Danny's apartment, he cleans her up in a scene that in another's hands could have come off as salacious with it's partial nudity. To Malone's and his actor's credit, this scene plays with an innocent tenderness and charm. In an ensuing sequence Danny takes Laura out to an ice cream parlor which turns into a comic exploration of strawberry ice cream, again charmingly played by Wilson.

Then things get dark as Volpe's power over Laura invades her dreams. Danny awakes to find Laura, clad in a cheerleader's outfit stolen from his neighbor, covered in blood and wielding a butcher knife under Vople's mental control as she tries to kill Danny. He manages to ward off her attack, only to discover his neighbor's mutilated body.

Enter the police: DET. GARRETT (Cult fan favorite JEFFERY COMBS) and his partner DET. CONROY (veteran character actor JEFF DOUCETTE) who have already been to the hospital investigating Laura's abduction and getting the low down on Volpe. As Danny frantically tries to hide Laura from Doucette, she; again under Volpe's control; frees herself from Danny's restraints and disembowels Doucette in a very graphic scene that will keep the slasher fans more than happy.

Since I won't give away the ending, I will say that Volpe escapes the hospital in another graphic blood bath to track down Laura and Danny. The film culminates with one of the most inventive, innovative, and visually intriguing sequences involving clockwork automatons; the art work of Danny's friend Billy: and the best use of Serge Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet Ballet Overture.

Wonderfully shot by Christian SEABADLT and ENZO GIOBBE and lit in an almost noir style there is enough gore for today's modern, hardcore horror fans, yet PARASOMNIA is so much more. Malone's script is intelligent and he understands all too well that Cinema is a visual medium. In an era where most film and television scripts are still written like radio scripts where the actors describe the action you are seeing on the screen. Malone lets the image tell the story. The characters speak like real people speak. It is economic in its dialog.

And in creating Byron Vople, Malone and Kilpatrick have presented one of the most literate and intelligent villains since Hannibal Lector, a refreshing twist after a dearth of mindless blood thirsty slasher villains.

PARASOMNIA succeeds on many levels: cinematically; mood; characterization; and visual style. The dreamscapes are stunningly beautiful and jarring at the same time. The subliminal cuts are spooky. The over all creepiness of the film is balanced with the innocence of Dylan Purcell and Cherilan Wilson's portrayals. And Wilson is quite a find. She shines in the scenes of Laura rediscovering the world, then seamlessly transitions into a vicious killer under Volpe's control and back to the somnambulistic Laura. Also look for an amusing cameo by director JOHN LANDIS.

PARASOMNIA is such an unusual and entertaining film, it stands on its own. Whether it gets a theatrical release or goes straight to DVD, don't miss this one.

Wow, I will not give anything away, but what a surprise this one was I attended the Screamfest Showing last night and expected another blood and guts fun house boo show.. what I got was a rare thing a film that defies genre.Atistic images, intelligent villain even a love story..this film is best described as Erie...images that are both haunting and beautiful the " Victims" are not just props waiting on a gruesome ending .. the killer is not a mindless beast, and the cast was well chosen no cheesy acting, William Malone directed this one as if he loved it and you can feel that particularly in the final scene..Horror fans hunt this one down take your girlfriend or wife ..this one you both will love..

So I saw this film at Screamfest in Los Angeles a couple of months ago. I enjoyed the film a lot, but I usually do not write reviews so a nice night out was all that was going to come of it. Anyway, I came across an article about the real condition of parasomnia, and now I can't stop thinking about the movie. When I saw it, I just figured it was a re- telling of the sleeping beauty story in an updated fashion. What I didn't know at the time was that the real condition of parasomnia has ordinary people doing crazy things in their sleep. The article I read was from the NY Times I believe, and it was a whole study on how people do absurd and often violent things while dreaming and can't remember a thing in the morning. Their dreams are so realistic they can't discern reality from fiction. ANYWAY, knowing this now I must say the film really takes the images of dreams and turns them into something so much more terrifying. The dream sequences have amazing visuals, and images that on their own are quite amazing. It is however, a lot more terrifying to know that people with this disorder could actually be going through the same thing as the main character of this film. It would be a living hell!! On its own the film was really fun to watch, and had some really tense moments. There is also a sequence at the end that involves some strange props (vague I know, but I'm trying to spoil it) which are really unsettling. Definitely worth a watch if you like horror films that do not rely on lame CGI, and like films that have great visuals.

I just saw this at Screamfest LA at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. I wasn't sure if this was going to be good or not from what I'd heard. I just went in and let the film wash over me. Three days later, I still can't shake it. This may be one of the best film experiences I've had in years. Yes, it's got the usual things that you'd expect out of a horror movie... gruesome murders, naked chicks, insane maniacs... but it also has a great plot, twitchy characters and the weirdest bunch of robots or clockwork men or whatever the hell they are, I've ever seen. The cast was uniformly good. Standout performances by Timothy Bottoms and Jefrrey Combs. The two leads were excellent. My friend thought the movie took a while to get going (though I liked it as is). We both felt the same about the ending. I'm not going to tell you too much about it except to say the last 30 minutes or so of this film left me stunned. Awesome ending!!! Not that this is a perfect film.... it's not, but it's damn close. I have to see this again. Did I dream this movie?

this is my first review but I decided to review this title because I had a real appreciation for this film. I randomly found this title and decided to check it out ... I was quiet surprised. This is quiet a beautiful film, the story line, the graphics, its all very well put together. The acting is pretty good I will give it a 7/10 there are a few plot holes but it isn't really noticeable,This is probably the best film yet by William Malone, he has come a long way from the failed feardotcom. The film itself is really enjoyable to watch, the gore is minimal, and it keeps your attention.

I would suggest this for a rainy night in

I thought that Parasomnia was a great film to watch In "Parasomnia," a directed by William Malone ("House on Haunted Hill," "Masters of Horror,") Laura Baxter is a young woman, a "sleeping beauty," who suffers from a medical condition called "parasomnia." A childhood accident victim, she is almost sleeping her life away, becoming awake at times. While visiting his friend Billy in the rehabilitation centre of a psychiatric hospital, an art student Danny Sloan falls in love with her, unaware that her hospital neighbour,is a mass murderer called Byron Volpe. Sloan helps Laura escape from her hospital only to discover that Volpe is about to enter into her dreams. Byron, a deranged hypnotizer, used his ability to control his victims. Danny decides to abduct Laura and bring her to his apartment. However, Byron also loves Laura and controls her nightmares. This was a very good film.

Little Seen, Little Known B-Horror-Movie that is Big on just about Everything Else. It is Rich in Style as it Presents a Hybrid of Horror's Conventional Characters (Caligari, Svengali, Serial Killers).

It is an Ultra-Stylish, High-Concept, Artsy Movie that has Brains. It is All so Well Done for the Budget it makes Mega-Money Films like the Saw Series Pale in Comparison. It Delivers Slasher Scenes with Ultra-Gore, Dream Sequences that are Artistic and Surreal with Creepy Characters and even Creepier Sets.

The Acting is Fine with Cameos from Well Knowns and the Unknown Young Lead Actors are Superb. The SFX, Set-Designs, and Makeup are All Above Average as is the Eerie Atmosphere and Dread.

A Fantastic Fantasy Film that is Underrated and is Probably Destined for Cult Status. There is So Much Eye Candy here and Along with the Quirky Style is Bound to Please Fans of this Type. Kudos to All Involved in this Killer Collection of Grade A Grand Guignol.

This is a Movie Waiting to be Discovered because it is so Much Better than what Passes as Mega Money Makers Like the Paranormal Series and Other Franchise Fakers. This is the Real B-Movie Deal. Great Ending.

I am not an expert, but I have heard of Narkolepsy. So while this is something real, the movie still has more of a "dream quality" to is (no pun intended). But even taking that under consideration, it's a shame that not more could have been done with the idea at hand here, which ultimately must have been the directors fault.

The actors are borderline OK, most of the time, though they are not really convincing. The best one of the bunch (Kilpatrick) unfortunately only getting little screen time. One scene between him and Combs was the best the movie had to offer. But too little too late it was by the point the scene took place.

And while we have a wonderful cameo (they have John Landis in there, how did they manage that? OK they called him, but still? The audio commentary wasn't really helpful, just thanking Landis for doing the small bit/part) the characters are dreadful. Their actions are not comprehensible, like talking about something, does not mean it exists, like a feeling -> "I hate/love you" is easily said, but I couldn't say it was delivered in a probable manner or was convincing in any sort of way.

A friend of mine, who watched it too, liked it a bit more than me. And it is shot in a nice fashion, I'll admit that. But the script and the characters could've done with as much care as some of the visuals got ...