This was a film that I got the chance to see via screener thanks to Justin Cook. Now I almost passed because this isn't listed as horror on the Internet Movie Database. It is on the Letterboxd. That was good enough. The title looked interesting. I saw that this is a sci-fi film, which I'm a fan of. I also like the lead actor, Chloë Levine. Other than that, what I've given here, I came in blind.
Synopsis: at an experimental sleep clinic, Somnium, dreams are made real. Side effects may include hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, sleep paralysis, detachment from reality, lost sense of self or permanent nightmares.
This film doesn't waste any time getting into it. We meet our lead, Gemma (Levine), in her new apartment. She's moved to Los Angeles from Georgia, hoping to make it as an actor. We see that she has limited money. Her father did get her a return ticket if she changed her mind. We see her hiding this in the cupboard.
Then from here she goes around to different businesses, seeing if they have openings or if she can drop off her resume. She is discouraged and gets spooked when she hears something moving in a dumpster. That's when she notices Somnium. They have a sign up about hiring. She goes inside to inquire and it is here she meets Olivia (Clarissa Thibeaux). She informs Gemma that the doctor who runs the clinic is busy, but if she leaves her information, she'll pass it along. Dr. Katherine Shaffer (Gillian White) overhears and has time so she meets with her.
The doctor gets to know Gemma and offers her to do a trial shift the following week. She agrees. We also see her get her first audition. It looks like she killed it, but the casting team didn't necessarily give her the glowing review she was hoping for. Gemma is also lonely. We see her reading her diary, reminiscing about her boyfriend from back home. His name is Hunter (Peter Vack).
Gemma comes to Somnium for her shift and is shown the ropes by Noah (Will Peltz). He is an odd guy who takes a liking to her. She enjoys the conversation. We also see her trying to seek out Olivia at a local arcade near work, but she's not there. This does lead her to meeting a Hollywood executive, Brooks (Johnathon Schaech). He sees something in her and wants her to give him a call if she wants his help to make it in the industry.
It is from here that she starts to work over nights at Somnium. Sometimes Noah is there and they get along. There is something off about him while he also can be charming. Gemma also sees this odd creature. It is tall, slender and hairless. She sees it at work and she believes it is lurking at home. Things aren't as they seem and the longer that Gemma is in LA, the deeper into depression she sinks. Part of it is being lonely, missing her friends and family, as well as struggling to break into a nearly impossible industry. As desperation grows, Gemma is faced with difficult choices.
That is where I'll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I want to start would be whether this is a horror film. In general, I'd say no. There are elements so I'd consider it to be adjacent. Gemma is seeing this creature. With things that we see and hear, we're assuming that she was seeing it before working at Somnium. The explanation there is fine, it's just something we've seen before. There are also elements that we get with the experiments that are being done at Somnium with the implications that come from it.
Now that I've set that up, since this is a character study of Gemma. The narrative follows her struggles in LA, utilizing diary flashbacks to reveal her character development. We see her past happiness with her high school boyfriend, contrasting with her current spiraling life, a result of their relationship souring. This evokes a relatable feeling of wanting to give up, yet she remains stubbornly determined. We also see that things aren't necessarily great back home, mirroring her current situation. Levine skillfully brings this character to life.
Let's then look at where she works, Somnium. What I like here is that this brings in sci-fi elements without making it too unbelievable. The best way to describe it is like a subdued Total Recall. They put their subjects to sleep, then they'll display images of what they want to succeed. They wouldn't have it, since they can't fully change reality. What this does though is reinforce their determination to help build confidence. Noah creates what they see with AI, which makes sense. There is also a darker element with a similar program, 'Cloud 9'.
I'll then just briefly describe this alternative. This is a program where people will be brought in whether they're in a coma, dying or having issues where they're detached from reality. This helps bring them down by showing them certain things. We don't see much of this until the climax. I might also be misinterpreting it as well. It is here we see Olivia and Noah butt heads on the ethics of what they're doing.
Now there is one last aspect of the story to explore. Gemma's creature gains strength with her growing depression, fueled by audition rejections and a desperate party decision. This familiar "struggle to stardom" narrative feels generic. It looks creepy, so I'll give credit there. How they brought it to life was good. This just doesn't do enough to set itself apart.
That should be enough for the story so let's then finish out with the filmmaking aspects. The film is well-shot, effectively using lighting to reflect Gemma's journey from a bright beginning to hardship. Framing and dark scenes with unseen sounds build tension, despite limited effects. The Somnium experiment's electrical visuals are a good touch, and the soundtrack and sound design are fitting.
All that is left then is acting performances. I've already said that Levine was good. She doesn't fit the typical Hollywood type, which she is hoping for works in her favor. It makes her stand out. Peltz is good, as I said, as this guy who is charming, with a creepy side. Vack works as this person who hardened Gemma's resolve, but there's also the familiarity that feels safe despite their issues. Grace Van Dien, Thibeaux, White, Schaech and Draya Michele help to round out the rest of the cast.
In conclusion, this offers a unique blend of sci-fi and character study, exploring the psychological toll of ambition and isolation through Gemma's journey. While it touches on horror elements and features a well-realized creature, its impact is somewhat diluted by familiar tropes. The film benefits from strong performances, particularly from Levine, and effective filmmaking techniques that enhance the narrative's emotional depth. Despite its minor shortcomings, Somnium remains a compelling watch that delves into the darker side of chasing dreams.
My Rating: 7 out of 10.
