After a successful run at the Cannes and Gérardmer festivals, Sleep was released in our cinemas this week. This Korean horror thriller is directed by Jason Yoo, who cut his teeth as an assistant director on Bong Joon-ho’s Okja. He is making his first feature film for the occasion.
Very well received by the French press presented at AlloCiné, Sleep has an average of 3.9 out of 5 (23 for media), making it the best film of the week.
What is it about?
A young couple’s life is turned upside down when the husband blacks out in his sleep and transforms into a different person after the blackout. His wife can’t sleep for fear of harming their new baby…
What does the press think?
According to L’Ecran Fantastique:
“The film, which benefits from the lead actors and star performances, is compelling from beginning to end. It keeps its audience in suspense, as close as possible to the emotions of the characters, while offering variety. Readings that really make sense.” (Quelou Parente) 5/5
According to the latest news from Alsace:
“A nightmare of sleeping on your feet.” (Natalie Chifflett) 5/5
According to Cahiers du Cinéma:
“Husband and wife live next to each other, but never at the same time. Jason Yu does not hold back from using the burlesque and horror that this desynchronization offers, which gives sleep a cheerful B-movie air like some of the films of Kiyoshi. Kurosawa or M. Night Shyamalan.” ( Jean-Marie Samock) 4/5
According to Mad Movies:
“Sleep showcases artists in the full Olympian mastery of their craft, with palpable alchemy. From a modest project, Jason Yu draws an exciting creative force.” (Francois Cau) 4/5
At the movies: Sleep… Why should you see this Korean genre film praised by the director of Parasite?
According to L’Obs:
“It’s intelligent, skillfully told, and although the director insists on seeing only a love story gone wrong, there’s a more confused feeling between the images, echoing a divided country, half of which is dominated by a violent paranoid. Leader. Excitement guaranteed.” (Francois Forestier) 4/5
According to Les Inrockuptibles:
“By day, Sleep is a romantic drama about middle class Korea with a very low birth rate; by night, it’s a gritty survival film that attacks sleepwalking as a metaphorical vessel for the anxiety of young parents. Little mastery.” (Jeremy Oro) 4/5
According to Les Fiches du Cinéma:
“This effective fantasy thriller deftly builds tension, but loses its charm along the way. The superb Lee Sun-kyun delivers his final performance.” (Gael Reyre) 3/5
According to the Prime Minister:
The movie is called Sleep, but it’s impossible to ignore. (Frederick Fuber) 3/5
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
