Sleep Stalker (2025)


REVIEWER RATING: 
8/10

DIRECTOR:

CAST:


Sleep Stalker is basically a reinvented, regenerated and refurbished Paranormal Activity complete with moving items, doors opening/closing, loud noises in the dark and of course, a little human possession. What gives Sleep Stalker the edge up is the simplicity of a basic storyline, believable special effects and some genuine performances.  

Abby and Shane are a happily married couple who make their living through DIY videos and tutorials. They purchase a new home (sight unseen) which resembles a closed adoption: no previous history, or revealing information provided. They approach this new journey with the glee and gusto of two kids ready to tackle a complete self-renovation and stamp their name on this incredible milestone.  

Shot entirely as a found footage film, we watch the couple retile floors, update the plumbing, electricity and explore a crawl space full of hoarded furniture and knick-knacks. It’s usually upbeat and cheerful, watching Abby’s creativity spark while Shane surveys the area to plant a garden and tend to the upgrades. All of this, always in the daytime. Because after dark is when the nightmare begins.  

Shane starts with minor sleepwalking adventures in a trance-like state as Abby tries her best to snap him out of this spell. As the intense camera angles increase the anxiety level with the thought of anticipated jump scares, Sleep Stalker brings the eerie meter up to a scary tier. Creepy, yes. Alarming? Not yet.  

As the tension within Shane heightens with each new night of unusual escapades, the decision to seek help through a sleep center brings up past trauma and partially hidden happenings which may be contributing to his unsettling occurrences. However, he is unable to account for the moving objects, shifting doors, and eventually the demonic voice when this entity takes over his body. We have now moved from spooky to hair-raising hauntings in the most jarring way.  

Shane’s midnight digging, conversing with an empty chair, and praying over Abby’s sleeping body are several instances that create a wicked-scary atmosphere which doctors continue to attribute to “parasomnia.” As if it were that simple. But we trek along at a steady pace because it’s easy to invest in this pair who are authentic and sincere. If only we could say the same thing about this unseen apparition!

OVERALL: 
Sleep Stalker is nothing new. But it’s still something a little special, like an untapped interest in the lives of a goofy, fun-loving duo whose organized lifestyle becomes frighteningly unraveled. Whether this is a ghost, a spirit or a demon, the unexplainable nocturnal activities amplify into more violent behavior as each day passes. It’s not difficult to care about the likeable Shane and Abby. However, if they could PLEASE lay off the “babe” references for more than 30 seconds, that would be great.


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