From documentarian Rodney Ascher (Room 237), The Nightmare uses cinematic recreations to explore the terrifying phenomena of sleep paralysis, a condition in which people regain consciousness after being asleep but are unable to move or cry out. Typically these states are accompanied by horrifying noises and visions of something menacing in the room. It’s a shitty experience to have (I had them about twice a year up until five or so years ago) and Ascher’s approach to examining the topic sounds truly scary and inventive.
Before its screening later today at SXSW, Gravitas Ventures has announced they will be releasing The Nightmare in North America in select theaters and VOD on June 5. Having experienced sleep paralysis and the shadow man at the foot of the bed (the worst), I’m really excited to see this doc. From the press release:
THE NIGHTMARE’S subjects hail from different backgrounds and walks of life, but share eerily similar visions of malevolent, near-human beings that grow increasingly aggressive the longer the sleep paralysis recurs. Are these just random hallucinations or something more? Rational explanations get challenged by the similarities of the “shadow people” multiple subjects describe looming over them. Ascher, who has first hand knowledge of sleep paralysis, brings the full intensity of this experience to the screen while maintaining empathy and respect for his subjects. As the film unfolds, distinctions between the documentary and horror genres fade as do easy lines between reality and the imagination.
THE NIGHTMARE was produced by Campfire’s Ross M. Dinerstein and Zipper Brothers Films’ Glen Zipper, co-produced by Tim Kirk and executive production by Content’s Jamie Carmichael, Preferred’s Kevin Iwashina and Ralph Zipper.
