WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
“WAKE UP!!!” The commonality we all share as human beings is the requirement of sleep, the body’s need to have an ideally decent period of time to just be at rest in order to re-energize, re-set, and quite literally have one prepared for the next day. Now, how MUCH sleep any individual might get will, of course, vary greatly whether by choice or circumstance. But, there is an aspect of this state that’s not always so restful or rejuvenating–dreaming. Especially when those dreams turn to nightmares. Michelle (Nicole Stubbs) remains in what appears to be a constantly tormented and fractured reality that actually ISN’T such, for she suffers from Hypnopompia, where one’s dreams and, much worse, night terrors, are all too real. Often trapped in this beleaguering place between sleep and awakening, Michelle is doggedly pursued and oppressed by a menacing man (Dwayne M. Eggerson) whose origin feels far beyond natural….or is it still just her imagination?
Next, my Mind:
It’s been, interestingly enough in all the years this critic has been covering indie cinema, a rare but always enjoyable experience to have an opportunity to write about a project based right here in my current hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where the film scene for independent artists continues to slowly but assuredly be getting more and more momentum and exposure. In this instance, we are privy to a little over seven and a half minute effort from writer/director/producer CyFLY (aka: Cyrus L. Richardson and 12 Stones Productions) plus producers Oliver Mann and Patrick Phillips that was created as part of the most recent 48-hour Film Project event here back in July as well as being what is ultimately a proof of concept for the still-in-the-works feature film “Aimless”. Now, I must be up front that knowing that latter part going into it, the film does carry itself with a clear direction and purpose, but also has that “incomplete” feel overall as well.
Mind you, this isn’t a BAD thing at all. However, for me, it still simply left me WANTING so much MORE to be present in order to fill in an expanded background and specific situations that have brought us to where the narrative presented launches us into that sees a frantic woman attempting to deal with the harrowing actuality of being stuck in a nightmare/purgatory due to her sleep condition that has taken on what seems to be a more and more otherworldly atmosphere thanks to an eerily ominous oppressor. Understanding the symptoms of the sleep condition being portrayed, it could certainly be argued that what she is experiencing is not only hallucination, but also the more historically symbolic illustration of HOW the person going through it FEELS, like there’s a presence causing them to be weighed down, almost suffocated, and in essence imprisoned or a hostage to it.
Additionally, a primary notion associated with the condition is sleep paralysis, which quite literally immobilizes you and takes away your ability to even speak, in spite of you being fully aware of what’s around you. This combined with the degree of Hypnopompia being displayed here, which I would personally classify as the rarer cenesthopathic (out of body, basically) type, genuinely makes for a terrifying state of being, more so as someone IN this state is often doesn’t actually REALIZE they’re asleep, as their perception of it all is the opposite. All of this is to say that for what we witness in this short film, the manner in which the thematic elements involved are explored is well-executed and holds a beautiful potential for grander forays into this unsettling world that would unquestionably make for a taut, creepy horror/thriller while addressing the truths of the sleep condition to a compellingly awareness-raising level.
Let’s also acknowledge something else here–this film was accomplished in only two days. For anyone that understands what really does go into MAKING a film, what we’re presented here is impressive as far as I am concerned. With the foundational logistics, shooting locations, and simply getting it DONE, then edited and put in final form so quickly is no easy feat! Stubbs does an effective job in bringing the necessary sense of fear, confusion, panic, and building disquiet to her role here as Michelle, a woman we come to realize is caught in the web of an ever-unfolding nightmare she believes is completely real, conscious for, and in danger for her life against a force she cannot seem to escape. Trying her best TO protect herself and be liberated from the threat, her realities and surroundings shift frequently enough to where being free from it all seems hopeless–until she TRULY wakes up.
As mentioned earlier, the greater context of her condition, how long she’s battled it, and the depth of what she’s confronting is enigmatic in the film’s current proof of concept incarnation, and it would be of great benefit to get to see Stubbs flesh out this character’s harried existence to further extents while also allowing the actress to showcase her talents more. But, again, for what there is to work with here, Stubbs delivers a very credible performance. Likewise, Eggerson only gets certain opportunity to exhibit what is and could further prove to be a wonderfully delicious performance as the film’s antagonist, a man whose nature and demeanor would indicate he’s something other than human, a diabolically-inclined entity, perhaps even a demon, who has now made it his mission to entangle Michelle in a maze of constant trepidation. He also searches for a particular item of hers that would apparently hold some kind of key to his current sway over her.
Perhaps he’s literally sniffing out and feeding off of her anxieties, and hence becoming that weight upon her–but perhaps in a more tangible way than we might even ascertain. Eggerson assuredly milks the role in the time he’s provided, manifesting that kind of nefarious air to the character that’s so spot on for a film of this nature, hinting at the possibilities the character could deliver and WANT to SEE more of. Excellently done. So, in total, “Hypnopompia” plain and simple is a work in progress, demonstrating its foundational idea concisely as was required while still adeptly laying the groundwork for not only what already IS, but more importantly what is to COME. This critic has high hopes for the feature film version, as the capacity for an utterly chilling yet well-grounded indie horror/thriller is wholly present and accounted for here, realistically capturing the substance and principals of both fiction and fact. Therefore, one hopes this will come to fruition, as it would be a project worthy to stay awake for!
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
