Sleepwalker (2026)

Released: 2026-01-09 Recommended age: 15+ No IMDb rating yet
Sleepwalker

Movie details

  • Genres: Thriller, Horror
  • Director: Brandon Auman
  • Main cast: Hayden Panettiere, Justin Chatwin, Beverly D'Angelo, Mischa Barton, Lori Tan Chinn
  • Country / region: United States of America
  • Original language: en
  • Premiere: 2026-01-09

Story overview

Sleepwalker is a psychological thriller-horror film about a mother struggling with grief after her daughter's death in a car accident that left her abusive husband comatose. The story follows her descent into a nightmarish reality as sleepwalking episodes intensify, blurring the lines between haunting visions and actual events, with her husband's presence haunting their home.

Parent Guide

A psychological horror film with intense emotional themes and disturbing imagery. Not suitable for young children due to mature content involving grief, trauma, and psychological terror.

Content breakdown

Violence & peril
Moderate

Psychological peril and tension throughout. References to a fatal car accident (not shown graphically). Implied past domestic abuse. Intense scenes of psychological terror and threatening situations. No graphic physical violence shown.

Scary / disturbing
Strong

Very scary and disturbing content. Haunting visions, sleepwalking episodes with eerie behavior, psychological terror, surreal nightmare sequences. Themes of grief, loss, and trauma are emotionally disturbing. The blurred reality creates sustained tension and unease.

Language
Mild

May contain occasional mild profanity. No excessive or strong language expected given the psychological focus.

Sexual content & nudity
None

No sexual content or nudity. Focus is entirely on psychological and emotional themes.

Substance use
None

No depiction of substance use. Characters may drink socially in background scenes, but not a focus.

Emotional intensity
Strong

Extremely emotionally intense. Deals with profound grief, trauma, psychological breakdown, and the horror of losing a child. The mother's emotional journey is raw and distressing. Themes of guilt, fear, and psychological unraveling create sustained emotional tension.

Parent tips

This film deals with intense themes of grief, trauma, and psychological horror. It contains disturbing imagery, emotional intensity, and scenes that may be frightening for younger viewers. The portrayal of an abusive relationship and tragic loss requires mature understanding. Parents should be prepared to discuss these themes with older children.

Parent chat guide

After watching, discuss how the film portrays grief and trauma. Talk about healthy ways to cope with loss versus the character's descent into darkness. Address the blurred reality elements - what was real versus nightmare? Explore how sleep disorders can affect mental health. For older teens, discuss the portrayal of abusive relationships and the psychological impact of trauma.

Parent follow-up questions

  • What parts of the movie made you feel scared?
  • How do you think the mom was feeling about her daughter?
  • What's the difference between a dream and being awake?
  • Why do you think the mom was seeing her husband in the house?
  • How does grief affect people differently?
  • What clues helped you understand what was real versus a nightmare?
  • How might someone get help if they're having scary dreams or sleepwalking?
  • How does the film use psychological horror differently from typical horror movies?
  • What commentary does the film make about trauma and memory?
  • How realistic is the portrayal of sleep disorders and their psychological effects?
  • What does the film suggest about the lasting impact of abusive relationships?
  • How does the cinematography and sound design contribute to the blurred reality theme?

Where to watch

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Trailer

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