Sleepwalker
Sleepwalker

Sleepwalker

2011Movie104 minCantonese

Ziyi has been haunted by the same dream for years: In the dream, she would stand alone on a wasteland, knowing that something is buried underneath. The only one who could give her comfort is her designer friend Eric, to whom she would reveal her weird dreams. She is approached by police sergeant Madam Ou to assist in the investigation of her missing ex-husband. Meanwhile, the cop is also tracking down her kidnapped nephew, whose whereabouts remain unknown even though his mother Becky has paid the ransom. One day, Ziyi wakes up to find a trail of mud at her bedside, raising suspicion that she may have killed her ex-husband in her sleep! Ziyi leads Madam Ou to the scene in her dreams, where the horrifying truth awaits them...

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Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes60%
Metacritic55/100
Google Users67%
Director: Zal BatmanglijGenres: Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A young woman finds herself drawn into a strange, cult-like commune after a period of intense personal turmoil. As she becomes more involved with the group's charismatic leader and their unconventional practices, the lines between reality and delusion begin to blur. She must navigate her own fractured psyche while uncovering the unsettling truths hidden within the commune's idyllic facade.

Critical Reception

Sleepwalker received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who often highlighted its unsettling atmosphere and ambiguous narrative. While some praised its psychological depth and unique approach to themes of control and identity, others found its pacing slow and its plot too opaque. Audience reception was similarly divided, with many appreciating its distinctiveness and disturbing undertones, while a segment found it overly abstract and lacking clear resolution.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its eerie atmosphere and unsettling portrayal of psychological manipulation.
  • Noted for its ambiguous storytelling and challenging thematic elements.
  • Criticized by some for its slow pacing and lack of clear narrative payoff.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film intriguing and atmospheric, appreciating its unique, albeit strange, storyline. Some viewers felt the movie was too slow and confusing, while others enjoyed its dark and thought-provoking nature.

Fun Fact

Director Zal Batmanglij would later go on to direct the critically acclaimed Netflix series 'The OA', which also explores themes of reality, identity, and the supernatural.

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