Don’t Sleep, a Thai horror film set in the pulsating heart of Bangkok, delivers a chilling yet uneven tale that intertwines guilt, the supernatural, and human conscience.
Directed with a bold vision, the film follows Thai, a biker tormented by sleepless nights and haunting visions of a young boy he killed in a hit-and-run. Desperate for redemption, Thai, alongside his friend Tle, seeks out Mhom, a quirky medium who introduces them to the Phi Thuai Kaew, a cursed Ouija board promising to lift Thai’s curse. What unfolds is a deadly game with an ancient, malevolent spirit that tests the group’s resolve and sanity.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its exploration of human conscience as a source of terror, often overshadowing the supernatural elements. Thai’s guilt-driven descent is compelling, portrayed with raw intensity that grounds the horror in emotional reality. The cinematography captures Bangkok’s gritty urban sprawl, enhancing the eerie atmosphere with dim-lit alleys and claustrophobic settings. Moments of supernatural dread, particularly the Ouija board scenes, are executed with chilling sound design and subtle visual effects that amplify tension without relying on cheap jump scares.
However, Don’t Sleep stumbles in its storytelling. The narrative feels disjointed at times, with pacing issues that dull the momentum of its stronger moments. While the film aims to balance horror with the lives of liberal teenagers, some subplots—particularly the group’s carefree antics—feel underdeveloped and detract from the central conflict. Mhom, played with standout comedic flair, injects levity that compensates for flat moments but occasionally disrupts the film’s darker tone, especially during crucial horror sequences. Her eccentricities, while entertaining, feel jarring when juxtaposed with the story’s grim stakes.
The film’s unapologetic depiction of nudity is tasteful, reflecting the characters’ uninhibited youth, but it may polarize viewers expecting a more traditional horror experience. Despite its flaws, Don’t Sleep shines in its bold thematic ambition and atmospheric dread, making it a palatable, if imperfect, addition to Thai horror.
For fans of the genre, it’s a haunting ride worth taking, provided you don’t expect a flawless one.
Don’t Sleep opens in Ayala Malls Cinemas beginning June 4.
