Rent Sleep (2023)

Exhilarating - Sleep review by griggs

This Korean horror film presents some truly intriguing concepts, exploring whether the phenomenon at its core is sleepwalking or possession. While the first two acts may feel somewhat slow and repetitive, with the tension primarily arising from occasional jump scares in what initially seems like a medical procedural, the third act is exceptional. However, this film is more than just a suspense thriller or a ghost story. It weaves in a deeper narrative, lamenting the erosion of the traditional culture in Korea, which adds a sombre yet exhilarating dimension to the overall experience.

The Best Korean Film I Have Ever Seen - A Study in Mental Ilness/Sleep Disorder &/or a Ghost Story. - Sleep review by PV

Wow! This is probably the best Korean film I have seen, way preferable to Oscar-winner Parasite.

It maintains the real tension here - X-Files-style - about whether the husband has a sleep disorder or if there is a paranormal cause. It only slips a bit at the very end, where there are logistical issues with what happens or does not happen (no spoilers) - for that I take half a star off the 5 stars, but round it up.

This film could be seen as a study of mental illness, or an exploration of traditional Korean spiritual/folklore beliefs - or both, arguably. It could be seen as a ghost story therefore, and/or a study of mental/sleep disorder issues.

Having sleepwalked three times in my life, I can relate to some of this. It's a truly weird experience, when you are on autopilot, with your brain connected but not your mind/consciousness. The moment when your mind wakes up and reconnects with your brain is truly weird, and only then you can see where you are and what you may have done (are you naked standing on the street maybe? Have you peed somewhere you shouldn't). Night terrors are worse, with some sufferers actually throwing themselves out of windows, or even harming or killing other people while sleepwalking.

I watched a subtitled version as I hate dubbing.

The best Korean film I have ever seen, this is. 4.5 stars rounded up.