A look at a frightening condition that plagues thousands; sleep paralysis.

A documentary-horror film exploring the phenomenon of ‘Sleep Paralysis’ through the eyes
of eight very different people. These people often find themselves trapped between the
sleeping and waking worlds, totally unable to move but aware of their surroundings while
being subject to frequently disturbing sights and sounds. A strange element to these visions
is that despite the fact that they know nothing of one another, many see similar ghostly
‘shadow men.’ This is one of many reasons many people insist this is more than just a sleep
disorder. This documentary digs deep into not only the particulars of these eight people's
uncanny experiences, but it also explores their search to understand what they've gone
through and how it's changed their lives.

“At about 5 A.M I woke suddenly from a deep sleep and was horrified to realise I was frozen
in bed, unable to move, unable to speak. But I could somehow sense something watching me
from outside. It silently walked through the backyard and effortlessly passed through the
wall into my room and that’s when I could first see the figure. A slender man, completely
black and featureless, looking directly into my eyes as it came towards me…”

The Nightmare Reviews

“Cutting between various chilling anecdotes of sinister late night visions and horrifying reenactments, The Nightmare manages a tricky balance of visceral fright and sincere investigation. It's a rare non-fiction achievement that earns the ability to freak you out.” – Indiewire

“Whether it is the movies that have shaped our dreams or our dreams that have shaped the movies, it's safe to assume that The Nightmare will find its place in that eternally recurring cycle.” – Variety

“The human brain, this movie suggests, is the ultimate horror-movie director, and sleep-paralysis hallucinations are just an extreme form of the standard-issue nightmares we all unwillingly create on a regular basis. It's one thing to be tormented. It's another thing to face the grim reality that you're tormenting yourself.” – The A.V Club