In Their Sleep DVD Review

Release Date (UK DVD) – 14th February 2011


Certificate (UK) – TBC

Country – France

Runtime –84 mins


Director – Caroline du Potet, Éric du Potet

Starring – Anne Parillaud, Arthur Dupont and Thierry Frémont

Sarah’s life is crumbling around her. Excellently played by Anne Parillaud, we see the middle aged woman grieving the recent accidental and untimely death of her son and the subsequent collapse of her marriage. Abandoned by her husband and left in her large and desolate country home she is unable to sleep and forget the recent misfortunes fate has dealt her. Driving home from work one evening she almost hits a disheveled and blood-saturated young man, Arthur (Arthur Dupont). Racked with guilt she assures him that being a nurse she can help dress his wounds and starts the drive back to her home. Arthur is scared for his life after a bloodthirsty intruder entered his family home and is pursuing him to cover trace of his actions.  The duo is followed back to Sarah’s home, where the murderous assailants relentless intent reveals a tragic story of loneliness, revenge and evil.

Siblings Caroline and Eric du Potet’s feature debut succeeds in building both tension and suspense, boasting an emotion packed insight into love, loss and grief through the eyes of both victim and criminal. Well-crafted and thoroughly spooky, In Their Sleep is an extremely well shot and well-paced accomplished piece of filmmaking. The films conclusion bids farewell to previous scare-tactics and filters into a tale of tragedy and sadness, creating an unexpected but nonetheless effective twist in its pacing. The quality of acting is consistently strong with its engaging and emotive qualities being testament to excellent performances from both Parillaud and Dupont. In Their Sleep is a low-budget, beautifully European gem amidst a sea of blockbusting American mediocrity and for that reason a very worthwhile watch.