Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
IMDbPro

An Insomniac's Nightmare

  • 2003
  • 31m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
216
YOUR RATING
An Insomniac's Nightmare (2003)
DramaShortThriller

A night in the life of a young chronic insomniac suffering from tormented delusions and frightening visions of his past.A night in the life of a young chronic insomniac suffering from tormented delusions and frightening visions of his past.A night in the life of a young chronic insomniac suffering from tormented delusions and frightening visions of his past.

  • Director
    • Reese Nanavati
  • Writer
    • Reese Nanavati
  • Stars
    • Dominic Monaghan
    • Daniel Burke
    • Ellen Sachs
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.4/10
    216
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Reese Nanavati
    • Writer
      • Reese Nanavati
    • Stars
      • Dominic Monaghan
      • Daniel Burke
      • Ellen Sachs
    • 22User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos4

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast9

    Edit
    Dominic Monaghan
    Dominic Monaghan
    • Jack
    Daniel Burke
    • Lonnie
    Ellen Sachs
    • The Girl
    Alex Scelso
    • The Boy
    Stuart Emmons
    • Kid
    Tad Joseph Wells
    • The Dog
    • (voice)
    Zoe Johnson
    • Kid
    Anne Thompson
    • Kid
    Maya Johnson
    • Kid
    • Director
      • Reese Nanavati
    • Writer
      • Reese Nanavati
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews22

    8.4216
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    8Meltme

    Insomniac's Nightmare is Great for Dom

    I saw Insomniac's Nightmare not to long ago for the first time and I have to say, I really found it to be quite good. If you are a fan of Dominic Monaghan you will love it. The hole movie takes place inside his mind -or does it? The acting from everyone else is a little rushed and shaky and some of the scenes could be cut down but it works out in the end. The extras on the DVD are just as great as the film, if not greater for those Dom fans. It has tons of candid moments from the set, outtakes and a great interview with the director. Anyone who has gone through making an independent film will love to watch Tess (the director), Dom and everyone else on the very small close personal set try to bang out this little trippy creepy film. It was pretty enjoyable and I'm glad to have it in my collection.
    8mdpowers

    Eerie and dreamlike cinematography that will pull you into the nightmare...

    Have to be honest and say that I haven't seen many independent films, but I thought this one was very well done. The direction and cinematography were engaging without becoming a distraction. The angles, settings, and lighting used successfully created the nightmarish world in which the main character was trapped. Many haunting and memorable images from the film stick in your mind long after it's over (always a sign of a good director).
    9bloodyhell

    Brilliant Work For a Short

    I'll come clean. The only reason I even found out about this DVD was because Dominic Monaghan is a favorite actor of mine. When I heard the title of the film, I thought it was going to be...different, perhaps in not such a good way.

    But I was wrong. After reading what few reviews were out there about this short, I was actually excited about seeing it. I sent off for my copy as soon as able and received it a few weeks later. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.

    The film follows Jack, a insomniac who is often plagued by conditions which causes him to doubt what is reality, and what is all in his head. I won't give away what happens, but I will tell you that the film can sometimes be frightening in it's realism.

    The directing is fantastic, focusing on what is essential to the story without allowing it to lose any entertainment or thought-provoking moments.

    All in all, I give this great film 9 out of 10, for going far beyond what I thought any short could achieve.
    8Tariskat

    short, creepy, and pretty good

    This is one of the first independent movies I've ever seen. For such a very low budget, it was done well; as an insomniac myself, I can sympathize with the main character, although my sleeping problems have never been as intense or as disturbing.

    Well directed, well acted, of a subject that I haven't seen much in theaters, lighting and set both perfect for the movie setting. There are few noticeable goofs, but they may be intended; you'll see after you watch the movie. The movie is very personal, and worth watching twice. No movie is flawless, but a Hollywood version couldn't do the story better. all in all, 8/10.
    9Purple_Bubbles

    what I thought

    I had no idea what this film was about or even knew that it existed until about 1 month ago when I stumbled upon when I was searching for other films that stared Dominic Monaghan. I thought this film was a strange insight into the mind of a none sleeper and what his/her mind may be going through in the hours that they spend awake when the rest of the world around them is asleep,it was an interesting film and a good part was played by Dom.......I believe that even though this film you cannot buy anywhere (well I've never seen it anywhere) you must see it if you ever get the chance because it will really make you think about those people around us that cannot sleep and have to suffer night after night of not been able to sleep or only get about 1 hour of sleep every night so overall it was an interesting film of good substance.

    Best Emmys Moments

    Best Emmys Moments
    Discover nominees and winners, red carpet looks, and more from the Emmys!

    More like this

    Hetty Wainthropp Investigates
    7.6
    Hetty Wainthropp Investigates
    Shooting Livien
    5.4
    Shooting Livien
    Atomica
    4.2
    Atomica
    Spivs
    5.3
    Spivs
    Ray Amsley's Self Defense Against Perverts
    8.1
    Ray Amsley's Self Defense Against Perverts
    The Purifiers
    3.3
    The Purifiers
    Flashforward
    7.6
    Flashforward
    Mute
    5.5
    Mute
    The Unknown
    6.6
    The Unknown
    The Millionaire Tour
    6.3
    The Millionaire Tour
    100 Code
    7.2
    100 Code
    A Midsummer's Nightmare
    6.5
    A Midsummer's Nightmare

    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)
    Short
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      When Jack is changing after the shower, he collapses onto the bed without a shirt on. But when he jumps back up, he is wearing a shirt. A few shots later when he answers the door, he is once again shirtless. Then he puts on that same shirt in the very next scene and wears it for the rest of the film.
    • Quotes

      Jack: Have you ever had insomnia? If you have, what I'm about to say won't seem all that strange. But if not... well, we'll see.

    • Connections
      Followed by Nemoc (2005)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 12, 2003 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Jagged Edge Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 31m
    • Color
      • Color

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.