Welcome to the scariest place in the world...
Your bedroom.
These are one of the scariest lines in the controversial trailer of the 2015 Documentary... yep, there's more to where that came from so I dare you to take a look (insert evil laugh). Seriously though, once you're all covered up by your blanket, see the less-than-2-minutes trailer below.
From acclaimed director of Room 237, Rodney Ascher, The Nightmare leads us to the dark truth behind sleep paralysis. It gives us a clear view of eight different people suffering from this medical condition - one by one recounting their eerie experiences.
"Really? Sleep Paralysis is scary?", you ask.
According to LiveScience, "Sleep paralysis occurs when the brain and body aren't quite on the same page when it comes to sleep. During rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, dreaming is frequent, but the body's muscles are relaxed to the point of paralysis, perhaps to keep people from acting out their dreams. Researchers have found that two brain chemicals, glycine and GABA, are responsible for this muscle paralysis."
To answer your question - yes, it can be terrifying since it will make you mentally aware before your body "wakes up" from its paralyzed state, it is then you realize that you can't utter a word or even move a finger. But wait, there's more (to help you become insomniac tonight), these episodes seem to often go hand in hand with hallucinations and the sensation of breathlessness.
Ascher's documentary showcases the subjects describing the Shadowmen - frightening dark figures which have been hounding them in their sleep since they were kids. Imagine going through all that for years, never knowing if you're ever going to sleep well again.
The film was brilliantly directed to keep the scary vibe all throughout, with the addition of reenactments. Sundance 2015 Review from The Guardian reports, "Even the talking-head interviews are shot in an interesting way, with unnerving use of negative space or framing that allows for the film-making crew to be seen in corners, like Michael Myers through a kitchen window."
On the other hand, the docu also has its share of negativity, a review from IGN describes it as "lacking context, lacking experts, the audience's ability to understand the subject at the movie's core is extremely limited."
The final verdict? If you're planning to further educate yourself about the deeper issues involved in sleep paralysis (not only the experiences), you may come out a bit disappointed. However, if you're just into the horrifying ride to know how it feels like being prisoned in your own body while awake, then go ahead and watch it alone (for an unforgettable experience).
Good luck sleeping tonight!
