“Don’t Sleep” Review: Thai Horror Chaos That’s So Bad, It’s Kinda Brilliant

There are bad horror films. Then there are bad horror films that try so hard to be cool, edgy, and emotionally gripping that they end up becoming something else entirely—accidental comedy. Don’t Sleep falls straight into that last category.

From the get-go, it’s clear the film wants to channel that slick, supernatural intensity of Talk to Me—there’s a seance, there’s possession, there’s Gen Z chaos. But just when you think you’re settling into familiar Thai horror territory, the movie takes a sharp, chaotic turn... into what, exactly? We’re still not sure. Monster flick? Psychological thriller? Fever dream? All of the above and none of them.

By the second act, it fully unravels. Any semblance of a main character is tossed aside like last night’s script draft, and we’re suddenly following a completely new cast with zero setup. It's like someone hit shuffle on the narrative. And yet, you can’t look away.

"What makes Don’t Sleep borderline entertaining is how committed it is to its confusion."

Characters make choices that defy logic, horror beats land with the grace of a jump scare drawn in crayon, and the tonal whiplash is real. One moment you’re squinting at genuinely slick visuals, the next you’re watching an impromptu PSA on the dangers of eating too much chili behind the 3rd new main character of the film who's eating way too much chili just so they don't sleep (Heh!) —complete with incomprehensible subtitles that may or may not have been run through Google Translate with a blindfold on.

"There’s no theme. No deeper meaning. Just pure, chaotic energy. And honestly? That’s its own kind of cinema."

We wouldn’t recommend Don’t Sleep if you’re looking to be scared. But if you want to laugh, scream “WHAT?!” at the screen, and enjoy the kind of horror film best watched with snacks and a group of equally confused friends, this might just be the gem you didn’t know you needed.

Just don’t expect to understand what’s happening. Or why.

Cinegeeks Rating: D