Sarah (Parillaud) is struggling to come to terms with the death of her teenage son. Separated from her husband, Sarah lives alone in the country in the house she and her husband had planned to renovate together. One night, while travelling home from work, she narrowly avoids hitting a panic stricken young man, Arthur (Dupont). Covered in blood and bruises, the terrified Arthur begs for help, telling Sarah of a botched burglary at his home, his assailant hot in pursuit.
Reminded of her late son, a sympathetic Sarah agrees to help Arthur and offers him sanctuary while his mysterious attacker closes in. Back home, Sarah tends to the youngsters wounds and presses him for more information. Moved by his story, Sarah is unprepared for the night ahead of her, and soon realises that all is not what it seems.
This French thriller from writer-directors Caroline and Eric Du Potet immediately entices. With eerily still visuals and an unsettling soundtrack, an impending sense of doom is quickly realised. Anne Parillaud is a perfect choice for central heroine Sarah; a delicate and fragile looking figure, wracked with grief but maternal enough to instantly take the desperate Arthur under her wing. Dupont also fits the bill nicely as the young Arthur, balancing helpless innocence with more mysterious notes that factor in to the films meandering plot.
While it initially seems a straightforward horror/thriller picture, In Their Sleep quickly shapes itself into something more original, constantly cutting against the grain. The directors largely opt against gore and spectacle, gearing instead for disquieting stillness and long takes that heightens tension and thickens the atmosphere. Likewise, the unconventional central pairing of Sarah and Arthur isnt as straight-laced as it might first appear. Sarahs attempts to topple her grief by aiding the desperate Arthur factors heavily, but thanks to a sharp script and engaging performances, the relationship carries many shades.
The more intuitive amongst you mightnt have the hardest job in predicting the twists in the latter half of the film, but clever direction and storytelling at least presents these developments in an entertaining and alarming fashion, making for a film that feels fresh and engaging, even in a saturated genre.
Overall Verdict: In Their Sleep isnt as smart or surprising as it thinks it is, but thanks to some sturdy foundations, were left with an engaging, unsettling and entertaining ride.
Special Features:
None
Reviewer: David Steele