MOVIE REVIEW
Sleep No More (Phantom Halo)
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Genre: Crime, Thriller
Year Released: 2014, 2024
Runtime: 1h 38m
Director(s): Antonia Bogdanovich
Writer(s): Antonia Bogdanovich, Anne Heffron
Cast: Luke Kleintank, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Sebastian Roche, Jordan Dunn, Tobin Bell, Rebecca Romijn, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Ashley Hamilton
Where To Watch: a special 10th-anniversary director’s cut will premiere in a limited theatrical & VOD/digital release on July 26, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: Los Angeles serves as a stage for SLEEP NO MORE, a neo-noir that dives deep into the tangled lives of a family caught in the web of the criminal underworld. This release marks a decade since director Antonia Bogdanovich first ventured into creating and releasing this film as PHANTOM HALO, celebrating with a director’s cut that layers Shakespearean tragedy over the stark realities of crime. Yet, despite its cinematic ambition, the movie often stumbles, struggling to maintain a steady tone throughout. I’m sure there’s far more to this story and the passion that was put into it!

The Emerson family, anchored by the fallen Shakespearean star Warren Emerson, portrayed with a deep-seated gravity by Sebastian Roché, spirals downward through a series of unfortunate decisions fueled by addiction and desperation. Roche's Warren drags his sons into the fray, with Thomas Brodie-Sangster’s Samuel reciting Shakespeare on the streets to make ends meet, while Luke Kleintank’s Beckett dives into the shadows of petty theft. This family dynamic sets the stage for a series of tragic events that unfold with the intensity of a classic play but the grit of a modern crime story.

As Warren's debts mount, the family finds themselves dangerously close to the edge, watched over by a ruthless loan shark, Roman, played menacingly by Gbenga Akinnagbe. This pivotal character introduction steers the narrative toward darker waters, promising a rich exploration of themes that, unfortunately, get lost in a sea of inconsistent storytelling and undercooked subplots.

Bogdanovich’s vision for SLEEP NO MORE is painted with broad strokes, mixing various genres in a B movie vibe. This bold blend often clashes more than it mixes harmoniously, leading to a fragmented viewing experience where style sometimes overshadows substance. Scenes that aim for dramatic impact can feel forced, leaving the audience adrift in a story that struggles to find its rhythm. To be entirely fair, I’ve not seen the original 2014 version of the film, so I can’t compare them on a level that would explain this more in-depth.

Performances in SLEEP NO MORE are a highlight, with Brodie-Sangster and Roche delivering complex portrayals of characters caught in a relentless downpour of misfortune. Supporting performances by Rebecca Romijn and Tobin Bell add intrigue to the narrative, though they, too, are caught up in the film's turbulent pacing and narrative shifts.

SLEEP NO MORE reaches ambitiously for a fusion of Shakespearean elements with the dark corridors of crime drama but doesn’t quite hit the mark. The director’s intentions are clear and present ambition, but the film ultimately doesn’t deliver the cohesive, polished narrative that it promises. It’s a bold experiment in genre-blending that might catch the eye of those intrigued by its thematic aspirations but not satisfy those searching for a well-rounded neo-noir thriller.

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[photo courtesy of IRIS INDIE INTL.]

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