Dead Awake
Kate Bowman (Jocelin Donahue) is an average social worker who, after the sudden death of her twin sister, is investigating the mysterious deaths of other people who died in their sleep. Shortly before their deaths, the victims all reported a supernatural force that appeared to them while they were suffering from sleep paralysis. When Kate investigates further into the case, she opens herself up to the creature's wrath and soon finds herself and her family suffering from an ancient evil.
Why it matters
A creeping nightmare that blends sleep paralysis folklore with a slow-burning supernatural thriller.
- Jocelin Donahue anchors the film with a grounded, quietly intense performance that elevates the familiar premise.
- Practical effects and shadowy atmosphere turn sleep paralysis—an often-overlooked terror—into a visceral, relatable horror.
- For fans of folk-tinged supernatural horror that favors dread and mood over jump scares or gore.
- Taps into primal fears of helplessness and the unknown lurking just beyond consciousness, making it a subtle cultural anxiety mirror.
Director
2 horror films in catalog
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
14
Slow Burn
33
Psychological
14
Supernatural
0
Creature
18
Disturbing
0
Fun Factor
33
Cerebral
14
Survival
33
CreatureSupernatural
