Parasomnia Review: Sleep-Schedule Horror Conjures Succubus

Debut director James Ross II's horror film "Parasomnia" centers on Riley (Jasmine Mathews), a woman plagued by parasomnia, a condition causing waking nightmares that bleed into reality. The film, which features an all-black cast, focuses on Riley's struggle to maintain control over her sleep schedule to prevent a malevolent presence from manifesting. This presence, described as a succubus, becomes particularly dangerous when Riley's boyfriend, Cam (RJ Brown), fails to adhere to her strict sleep protocol, allowing her to fall asleep first. The film draws on the long-standing anxieties surrounding sleep in the horror genre, a theme amplified by the growing "sleep economy."

The narrative begins with a traumatic event on Riley's 15th birthday, where she experiences a terrifying waking/sleep paralysis state. During this episode, she witnesses a care worker's violent rampage but is unable to intervene. This past trauma dictates her adult life, compelling her to enforce a rigid sleep routine for anyone sharing her home, believing this preemptive measure shields them from the nocturnal entity. The plot thickens when Riley invites her old foster home friend, David (Stephen Barrington), to her house, the same location where her father committed a murder. David soon becomes unnerved by the appearance of a pale demon during the early hours of the morning, signaling the succubus's renewed activity.

Ross II's directorial debut aims for a scrambled and claustrophobic experience, attempting to immerse the audience in Riley's disoriented state. However, the film's ambition in its structure and thematic exploration of sleep-related fears is somewhat undermined by an overly complex plot. While the visual elements and the concept of a succubus manifesting from sleep disturbances are present, the intricate narrative threads may detract from the intended fear factor. The film's exploration of race is noted as not being a central preoccupation, with the focus remaining on the psychological and supernatural horror elements. "Parasomnia" thus presents a promising, albeit flawed, entry into the horror genre, showcasing director James Ross II's potential while grappling with the challenges of balancing intricate storytelling with effective scares.