Film Review – Parasomnia (2025)

      **Parasomnia, 2025.**

      Directed by James Ross II.

      Starring Jasmine Mathews, RJ Brown, Sally Stewart, Stephen Barrington, Simon Longnight.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      At fifteen, Riley was one of the few survivors of a massacre at a group home. Now, a decade later, on her birthday, her boyfriend Cam has invited another survivor, David, and his girlfriend to join the celebration. David and his partner will be staying overnight, but Riley has strict sleep routines and rules designed to manage her lifelong battle with night terrors. Her primary rule is that everyone must fall asleep before her. However, this rule is soon violated, leading to a series of tragic events and the unveiling of hidden truths.

      Parasomnia opens powerfully with a chaotic massacre at the group home where Riley and David reside. It’s graphic and terrifying, effectively setting the stage for what unfolds next.

      After this intense start, the narrative settles momentarily as the adult Riley and David are introduced. The celebration has moments of unease, such as when Riley demonstrates how to fall asleep instantly and discusses her sleep rules. However, the tension quickly escalates again, maintaining constant suspense throughout the film.

      While Parasomnia explores themes of night terrors and trauma, it delves deeper into grief and its transformative effects on individuals. Riley participates in a grief support group (where she meets Cam) and appears to cope well, yet she never sheds a tear. Despite her strength and resilience, she clings to control, fearing that losing it for even a moment could be catastrophic. In contrast, Cam struggles more with the grief of his father's murder years prior, leading him down a darker path. Grief is portrayed as relentless, evolving, and capable of driving people to harrowing places.

      These dark places manifest vividly in the film. Riley's night terrors feature a nightmare of an unending maze, with a pursuer and loved ones who have passed being confined. The depiction of this nightmare world is remarkable, utilizing red lighting and abrupt shots that evoke the disorienting nature of nightmares.

      Her night terrors involve an entity known as The Seer, which appears multiple times throughout the film, and the perspective shifts to its viewpoint a few times. A standout artistic choice is the portrayal of seeing through its eyes, using a fishbowl shot surrounded by prisms, effectively conveying its supernatural quality.

      Jasmine Mathews delivers an outstanding performance as Riley, skillfully balancing strength and vulnerability, making the stakes resonate with the audience. RJ Brown as Cam also shines, eliciting sympathy for his character by the end, thanks to Brown's poignant portrayal.

      It's important to note that the film includes significant gore; viewers who are sensitive to such content may find themselves covering their eyes at times. However, the gore is relevant to the story and not gratuitous, although a few scenes are challenging to watch. The practical effects are well-executed, avoiding fake CGI blood.

      While the storyline remains coherent, it does become somewhat convoluted towards the end. Some character motivations feel unclear, and it appears that the "villain" could have found a simpler way to achieve their objectives.

      Parasomnia is genuinely terrifying, bloody, and addresses grief in a distinctive manner that sets it apart from other horror films centered on the theme. It stands out as one of the year's stronger indie horror offerings and is certainly worth watching.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Misty Layne