THE NIGHTMARE (Rodney Ascher, U.S.). 91 minutes. Rating: NNNN
Rodney Ascher follows Room 237 with another examination of the tricks our minds play on us – this time exploring the phenomenon of sleep paralysis, that state of consciousness in which the mind “wakes up” before the body.
Half a dozen subjects describe terrifying hallucinations and out-of-body experiences, which Ascher gleefully re-creates through stylized re-enactments (and some downright sadistic soundtrack activity).
The Nightmare knits its personal testimonies into a pattern of cultural examples, stretching from Freddy Krueger and Whitley Strieber’s Communion all the way back to Middle Ages lore.
The best part? The condition appears to be communicable: once you’ve heard about sleep paralysis, it might just happen to you. More suggestible audience members are advised to see something else instead.
Apr 27, 9:45 pm, Hart House Apr 28, 1:15 pm, TIFF 2 May 2, 9:15 pm, Revue May 3, 9:30 pm, TIFF 1