Justin Moriarty’s 2-minute horror film ‘Waking Nightmare’ delves deep into the unsettling realm of sleep paralysis. Inspired by the real-life experience of Sarah Blais, the film follows the central protagonist as she battles against a terrifying hallucination. Sonja Cirilo delivers a brilliant performance, capturing the vulnerability of a person trapped in a nightmare.
The film’s restrained use of dialogue only serves to enhance its haunting atmosphere, drawing the audience firmly into the terrifying experience. The high-quality sound design and post-production only add to the film’s chilling effect.
Deborah Uzurin’s portrayal as the dreamer’s partner provides a necessary contrast to the nightmare, highlighting the stark reality of the situation. Casey Fitzgerald’s cinematography is well-executed, capturing the ominous tone of the film.
This short is a part of a wider series of films exploring sleep paralysis, but it stands out as a captivating and disturbing experience. Justin Moriarty has created a memorable and skillfully crafted horror in a short runtime. Sleep paralysis is often a topic that is unexplored in the horror genre, but this film tackles it head-on with spine-tingling results. Overall, ‘Waking Nightmare’ is a must-watch for horror fans and anyone interested in the vivid and unsettling world of sleep paralysis.
