« He’s trying to get inside the house. »

A filmmaker (Mallory Drumm) documents her boyfriend’s (Alex Lee Williams) violent parasomnia during their holiday at a remote cabin in the woods, and as his sleepwalking gets worse, she believes the cause might be something far more sinister.

With Dream Eater, Jay Drakulic, Mallory Drumm, and Alex Lee Williams deliver an effective horror film that revives the idea of a film shot within the film. Let’s call it a modern take on the found footage.

Mixing Subgenres

Make no mistake. Dream Eater is a classic horror film through and through. But it successfully blends subgenres. The use of a handheld camera, giving an amateur style where the character films the action, is nothing new. But here, they don’t pretend it’s found footage. They simply use it as a narrative style.

I know the idea of the character’s handheld camera was overused in the years following the highly original The Blair Witch Project, but sometimes a film manages to stand out, and that’s the case here. Using this style, which integrates well with the story without the pretense of being a “recovered footage,” allows for a more unexpected ending.

And I have to admit that these somewhat shaky images where you’re not quite sure what you’re looking at are very effective at building dread.

It’s Scary

Moreover, Dream Eater delivers on its promise to be scary. Its first-person point-of-view footage is a perfect way to avoid showing too much. Thus, the viewer is left to the mercy of their imagination. To complement the narrative, the directors also use the house’s surveillance cameras, which obviously adds the opportunity to show what the main character doesn’t see. The imprecise images created this way naturally add a touch of mystery.

In addition to creating an unsettling atmosphere, the trio makes good use of jump scares. They are not overused, which means that the 4 or 5 times one occurs, it is effective. In any case, it works for me. Finally, the use of whispers and strange voices completes the picture.

A little more…

I understand that some people are fed up with films shot this way. But, much like Deadstream, it’s worth the time. Your heart rate will increase, and your emotions will be well stimulated.

I’ve always had a soft spot for these small films that manage to stand out despite limited resources. It goes to show that creativity will always be stronger than money when it comes to art. The characters here are played by the creators themselves, and they perform well. A film I suggest for this Halloween season.

Trailer