Sleepwalker
by Brandon Thomas
Horror has always used trauma as a foundation for some of the best of the genre. Films like The Changeling or Don’t Look Now wouldn’t be what they are without the emotional trauma haunting their characters. However, these films also had outstanding scripts, a top-notch cast, and directors who knew how to bring it all together. How does Sleepwalker fare as a new entry into Trauma Horror? Unfortunately, like a bad dream.
Acclaimed artist Sarah (Hayden Panettiere of Scream 4 & 6, TV’s Heroes) is still in the throes of grief after the loss of her daughter in a car accident. This same accident left her estranged and abusive husband, Michael (Justin Chatwin of War of the Worlds), in a coma. As Sarah’s grief begins to manifest itself in sleepwalking, her grip on reality begins to loosen, putting those around her at risk.
Director Brandon Auman attempts to craft a psychological tale that works equally well as a dark drama as it does as a horror film. Think Ari Aster’s Hereditary. However, Auman’s script lacks the nuance, depth, and frankly, the scares, of Aster’s film. The very real topics of PTSD, domestic abuse, and grief get skimmed over with broad strokes instead of being given the attention and finesse needed to be effective.
When Sleepwalker shifts into horror mode, it’s never really able to escape reliance on the dreaded jump scare and a score that telegraphs said jump scares a mile away. There’s a lack of visual flair during these scenes that robs the film of any kind of mood or atmosphere and ultimately hobbles Sleepwalker from the get-go.
Instead of being given a complex, nuanced character to play, Panettiere’s Sarah spends the entire film bouncing through a cornucopia of emotions. Her entire role boils down to “gaslit character”. Chatwin fares even worse. His Michael is a walking, talking (actually, yelling) stereotype. Having your two lead characters be such empty vessels keeps Sleepwalker from finding any kind of emotional traction.
There are lofty goals to be found within Sleepwalker, but unfortunately, the film is ultimately DOA due to a poor script, uninspired direction, and a complete lack of scares.
