SLEEP Trailer (2024) Lee Sun-kyun, Jung Yu-mi

SLEEP Trailer (2024) Lee Sun-kyun, Jung Yu-mi

SLEEP Trailer (2024) Lee Sun-kyun, Jung Yu-mi, Thriller Movie
© 2024 - Magnolia Pictures & Magnet Releasing

"Let me live in peace. Just you and I." Magnolia Pictures has debuted their own official US trailer for the Korean horror thriller film titled simply Sleep (or 잠 in Korean), an indie creation from filmmaker Jason Yu. This is his feature directorial debut after working as an assistant director for Bong Joon-ho on Okja and other films. It's finally getting a proper US release in theaters and on VOD this fall after playing on the festival circuit for a year. "When he sleeps, someone awakes..." A pregnant wife who becomes worried about her husband’s sleeping habits. What starts out as some light sleep-talking soon escalates to unexpectedly grotesque behaviour. They consult a sleep clinic without success and as his nightmarish behaviour escalates, they desperately seek help from a shaman. Starring Jung Yu-mi as Soo-jin & Lee Sun-kyun as Hyeon-soo, with Kim Gook-hee. It debuted at last year's Critics Week sidebar at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Sleep is genuinely scary and unsettling, one of those movies that might make you have trouble sleeping, too.

Here's the official US trailer (+ new poster) for Jason Yu's film Sleep, direct from Magnolia's YouTube:

Sleep Poster

You can rewatch the other official trailer for Jason Yu's Sleep film right here, to view even more footage.

Hyeon-soo and Soo-jin (Lee Sun-kyun and Jung Yu-mi) are newlyweds. One night, she discovers Hyeon-soo sleepwalking, with a strange behavior that is not like him. Every time night falls, she becomes restless, for fear that her husband will harm their newborn baby. Sleep, originally known as 잠 or Jam in Korean, is written and directed by the up-and-coming Korean filmmaker Jason Yu, making his feature directorial debut after working as an assistant director on a few other films previously. Produced by Lewis Taewan Kim. This initially premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in the Critics Week sidebar last year, and it also played at TIFF. The film opened in Korean cinemas first last September. Magnolia Pictures will finally debut Jason Yu's Sleep film in select US theaters + on VOD starting on September 27th, 2024 this fall. Scary?
Just when you thought your sleep talking and/or walking was bad, the late, great South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun (Parasite) has a new performance out this week to prove you're no match for his character's troubles. There have been some wonderful films about insomnia released over the decades, but Sleep is a completely unique new addition to the canon. It dabbles in a mish-mash of genres and a handful of relatable themes tied to family dynamics, love sacrifice, and more.

Exhuma, another Korean supernatural-laced thriller, was released not too long ago and evoked a similar kind of supernatural vibe amid modern Asian culture. However, Sleep, written and directed by Jason Yu, is based on an entirely different tale, as a young couple expanding their family with a precious newborn is challenged at every turn once one of them starts acting erratically at a certain time of the day. Brace yourselves, folks!

It Comes at Night...
sleep-2023-poster.jpg
Sleep (2023)
MovieWeb logo
3.5
/5
Release Date
September 21, 2023
Director
Jason Yu
Cast
Jung Yu-mi , Lee Sun-kyun , Kim Kuk-hee , Lee Kyung-jin , Yoon Kyung-ho , Kim Keum-soon , Kim Jun , Lee Dong-chan , Park Hyun-jeong , Oh Yun-su , Hong Ha-na-im , Kim Nam-woo
Runtime
95 Minutes
Main Genre
Horror
Writers
Jason Yu
Pros
Surprising twists keep you guessing
Deep, heartfelt performances by all
Effective suspense building throughout
Cons
Supernatural elements may feel like a copout
Certain characters' lives being threatened may feel too dark for some
Expand
OK, maybe you're thinking that the wondrous South Korean film industry could have coined a more clever and robust title than simply Sleep for this one. Fine. But think about it — how many times have you found yourself uttering this singular word as, say, a simple command to yourself, a partner, or maybe even a young child? "Sleep, damnit!" It can certainly strike a nerve in anxiety-prone insomniacs, but Wu's new film takes the luxury of shut-eye a step or two further.

What if you're snoozing so well these days that you find yourself submerging, unbeknownst to you, into a trance-like state of dangerous, uncontrollable walking, food consumption, and hostility during the nighttime hours? We may even be talking otherworldly levels here. A lot of us can relate to being aggressively elbowed by our significant other during their deep sleep. So, dialing that idea up to the extreme, the notion of feeling unsafe lying next to your sound-asleep partner at night can undoubtedly strike a nerve as well.

Juicy Suspense Starts to Build

The gripping new horror-thriller centers on newlyweds Hyun-su (Sun-kyun) and Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi), who are clearly quite happy together in their day-to-day when we first meet them. Hyun-su is a busy actor, which he attempts to balance alongside pending fatherhood once his newborn ultimately enters the picture. Yes, a baby can reliably throw your world for a loop, but surprisingly, it's one of the grown-ups here who starts causing the in-house mayhem.

It starts out harmless, though still daunting, as Hyun-su begins sleep-talking and uttering a repeated phrase, "Someone's inside." It's awfully convenient that this phrase matches a line that his character has to say in a TV project Hyun-su is currently signed on to as an actor, but his wife Soo-jin simply isn't convinced — and rightfully so. Then, spoilers aside, Hyun-su's overnight actions begin to escalate...

Lee Sun-kyun in Parasite
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To further stir the pot, the couple has a suspect neighbor, Min Jeong (Kim Gook Hee). While, on the surface, she seems friendly and innocent, she ultimately turns passive-aggressive and just plain creepy as she keeps a close eye on their day-to-day. She's lived in the apartment building seemingly forever, dating back to when her now-deceased father lived there, and now all she cares to do is complain about the noise the couple makes — between their yapping dog and, well, Hyun-su's aggressive sleep-walking antics.

RIP, Lee Sun-kyun
Once the antics turn violent, that's when Soo-jin decides to get some medical professionals involved, including a certain Doctor Kim (Yoon Kyung-ho) who warns that the husband's erratic drowsy behavior basically has no known cure. That's just the kind of news you want to hear as you're welcoming your first offspring into this world, right? It doesn't help that Soo-jin's prissy mom (Lee Kyung-Jin) already seems to have it out for Hyun-su to begin with. So, when his overnight alter ego starts putting others' lives at risk, it comes as no surprise that she advises her daughter to jump ship from the whole living situation.

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If these kinds of in-law dynamics sound relatable, it's just one of the many perks of this otherwise haunting and sometimes supernatural tale that has other juicy supporting turns up its sleeve, apart from the feisty mother-in-law. Watch out for a chilling centerpiece moment where she resorts to bringing in an impassioned Shaman (Kim Keum-Soon) to give the couple's troubled apartment a once-over and check for unwelcome spirits. Of course, the Shaman senses something in the husband and new dad — but what does it all trace back to? We won't spoil it here, but the late Parasite actor keeps you guessing as more of the building's eerie history is unearthed.

At the end of the day, it's also hats off to Jung Yu-mi, as the hysterical dynamic shifts between husband and wife. Soo-jin slowly loses her grip on reality as she herself loses sleep, trading it for the sake of getting to the bottom of what's been shaking her family of three to the core. Sure, the otherworldly elements may be a turn-off for some, but stick with it. The psychological edge keeps this small-scale horror-thriller afloat, to put it mildly.

From Magnet Releasing, Sleep will be released in theaters and on digital platforms like YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and on Prime Video through the link below, on Sep. 27, 2024.
On December 17, 2024, Magnet will be releasing a Blu-ray for Sleep. This 2023 South Korean thriller (read our review) is the debut feature film from Jason Yu, who worked with Korean legends Bong Joon-ho (Parasite) and Lee Chang-dong (Burning),

Sleep stars the late Lee Sun-kyun (Parasite, Kingmaker) and Jung Yu-mi (Train to Busan).

Sleep follows newlyweds Hyun-su and Soo-jin, whose domestic bliss is disrupted when Hyun-su begins speaking in his sleep, ominously stating, “Someone’s inside.” From that night on, whenever he falls asleep, Hyun-su transforms into someone else, with no recollection of what happened the night before. Overwhelmed with anxiety that he may hurt himself or their young family, Soo-jin can barely sleep because of this irrational fear. Despite treatment, Hyun-su’s sleepwalking only intensifies, and Soo-jin begins to feel that her unborn child may be in danger.

Watch the film’s Trailer below:
Magnet Releasing will release SLEEP starring Lee Sun-Kyun and Jung Yu-mi in theatres and on digital, on SEPTEMBER 27. They sent me the press release for you to feast your eyes on – you can check it out below the official trailer
I am looking forward to reviewing Sleep for Magnet Releasing. I have already checked out the film and enjoyed it but I wouldn’t mind a second viewing as I feel there is so much more going on than what is in front of you.

Plus, I am almost certain that this was actor Lee Sun-kyun’s last performance before his untimely and devastatingly tragic death. The man is missed a lot – and every time I see his face, it reinforces the sad feeling that this man should still be with us today.

Watch the Official U.S. Trailer:

SLEEP follows newlyweds Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun, PARASITE) and Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi), whose domestic bliss is disrupted when Hyun-su begins speaking in his sleep, ominously stating, “Someone’s inside.” From that night on, whenever he falls asleep, Hyun-su transforms into someone else, with no recollection of what happened the night before. Overwhelmed with anxiety that he may hurt himself or their young family, Soo-jin can barely sleep because of this irrational fear. Despite treatment, Hyun-su’s sleepwalking only intensifies, and Soo-jin begins to feel that her unborn child may be in danger. A new thriller from director Jason Yu, who worked with Korean legends Bong Joon-ho and Lee Chang-dong before making his debut film, SLEEP world-premiered at Cannes’.

Who is the Person Sleeping Beside You Right Now?’
When a Loved One Becomes the Source of Horror, What Can You Do? SLEEP Unites Unique Mystery and Horror

“Someone’s inside.” SLEEP begins with an ominous phrase muttered by Hyun-su, Soo-jin’s husband when he wakes up one day. This phrase sets in motion a series of events that completely overturn the everyday life of the once-happy couple. Soo-jin, an expectant mother eagerly awaiting the birth of their child, diligently juggles her job, while her considerate husband Hyun-su, an actor, who is waiting for his breakout role, crafts a bright future within Soo-jin’s faith. Despite being entangled in a nightmare-like situation, they don’t flee from each other; instead, they confront the circumstances head-on. The horror and mystery of SLEEP unfold with an unpredictable narrative.

Breaking away from the conventional notion in horror films where supernatural entities like ghosts and spirits are the sources of fear, SLEEP takes an unprecedented approach. The setup involves the eerie transformation of a person who sleeps beside you every night, behaving as if they’ve become someone else. This unique premise leads to a first-person horror experience that neither occult nor traditional horror can deliver. As the couple earnestly follows the treatment strategy of the sleep clinic and Hyun-su’s symptoms worsen over time, the depth of fear intensifies. The mystery deepens, as the elusive nature of the truth leaves room for even greater curiosity.

Alongside the inherent enjoyment and suspense of the mystery genre, SLEEP unfolds a narrative that evokes doubt about whether the person sleeping beside you is truly the person you once knew. Director BONG Joon-ho didn’t hold back in his praise, stating, “the most unique horror film and the smartest debut film I’ve seen in 10 years. The film unravels an unpredictable drama of a couple within the most ordinary everyday setting. I hope the audience faces this film without any prior information.”

The Most Peaceful Time, ‘Sleep’ that Everyone Experiences Encountering Abnormal Behaviors During Sleep, Entering the Time of Nightmares!

Written and Directed by Jason Yu

Starring Lee Sun-kyun, Jung Yu-mi
Director: Jason Yu Run Time: 95 min. Rating: NR Release Year: 2023

Starring: Jung Yu-mi, Kim Kuk-hee, Lee Kyung-jin, Lee Sun-kyun, Yoon Kyung-ho

Country: South Korea
Language: Korean

About the film:

World Premiere, 2023 Cannes Film Festival Critics’ Week
Official Selection, 2023 Toronto International Film Festival

Hyun-su and Soo-jin are newlyweds. Seemingly out of nowhere, Hyun-su starts talking in his sleep. From that night on, whenever he falls asleep, he transforms into someone else with no recollection of what happened the night before. Soo-jin is overwhelmed with anxiety that he may hurt her family while she sleeps, so much so that she can hardly sleep due to her intense fear. Despite sleep treatment, Hyun-su’s sleepwalking only intensifies, and she begins to feel that her unborn child may be in danger…

“Jason Yu crafts a twisty delight that leaves you doubting what you’re seeing and wondering what to believe right till the last moment.”
—Alissa Wilkinson, Vox

Images courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

About the filmmaker:

Jason Yu is a South Korean filmmaker who began cultivating an interest in storytelling when he stumbled upon a creative writing class at university. He consumed countless films during his years in the military, further solidifying his love for the craft. Upon discharge, he joined the university’s filmmaking club, where he studied directors and created his own short films. After graduating, he worked on film sets and continued to direct his own films. Yu worked as an assistant director on Dir. Love Lee’s Real (2017) and on Dir. Bong Joon Ho’s Okja (2017). His short film The Favor (2018) won awards at numerous film festivals in Korea. Yu’s debut feature film, Sleep (2024), premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

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South Korean cinema continues to be a thriller forerunner in many genres, especially horror, and the new horror thriller, “Sleep,” seems to be continuing the tradition. The film is the feature-length directorial debut of Jason Yu, a second unit director on Bong Joon-Ho’s sci-fi-ish thriller “Okja.” The connections to Joon-Ho don’t end there either, as “Parasite” star Lee Sun-Kyun is among the cast members. Sadly, the film will be one of his last onscreen appearances—the actor died in late 2023 at the age of 48 (a rather sad story, you can read here).

Bong Joon-Ho described it as “the most unique horror film and the smartest debut film I’ve seen in ten years,” via Empire, which revealed the new trailer. The film centers on a young, pregnant wife (Jung Yu-mi) who must figure out how to stop her husband’s (Lee Sun-Kyun) nightmarish sleepwalking habits before he harms himself or his family. Is he possessed, unwell, or something worse? The trailer certainly hints at something sinister.

READ MORE: ‘Dr. Brain’ Review: Kim Jee-Woon’s Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste

Here’s the official synopsis:

Hyun-su and Soo-jin are newlyweds. Seemingly out of nowhere, he starts talking in his sleep: ‘Someone’s inside.’ From that night on, whenever he falls asleep, he transforms into someone else with no recollection of what happened the night before. Soo-jin is overwhelmed with anxiety that he’d hurt her family while she sleeps and can barely sleep a wink because of this rational fear. Despite sleep treatment, Hyun-su’s sleepwalking only intensifies, and she begins to feel that her unborn child may be in danger…

“Sleep” made its international premiere on May 21, 2023, after being chosen in the Critics’ Week portion of the 76th Cannes Film Festival on April 17, 2023. No word on a North American release yet, but “Sleep” is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on July 12, 2024.

Jason YuJung Yu-miKim Gook-heeLee Sun-kyunSleep
Sleep (Korean: 잠; RR: jam) is a 2023 South Korean black comedy horror mystery thriller[3][4][5] film written and directed by Jason Yu, in his feature debut. The film stars Jung Yu-mi and Lee Sun-kyun. It screened in the Critics' Week section at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on 21 May 2023. It was released in South Korea on 6 September 2023. Lee died on 27 December 2023, making Sleep one of his final film appearances.

Synopsis
Hyeon-soo and Soo-jin are newlyweds. One night, she discovers Hyeon-soo sleepwalking, with a strange behavior that is not like him. Every time night falls, she becomes restless, for fear that her husband will harm their newborn.

Cast
Jung Yu-mi as Soo-jin
Lee Sun-kyun as Hyeon-soo
Kim Gook-hee as Min-jeong[6]
Yoon Kyung-ho as Doctor
Production
Development
In October 2021, actors Jung Yu-mi and Lee Sun-kyun confirmed their casting as married couple Soo-jin and Hyeon-soo in a horror film written and directed by Jason Yu, and produced by Lewis Pictures.[7]

Regarding the story, before turning it into a nightmare, Jason Yu was inspired by the moments when he was preparing to marry his girlfriend of seven years: "In writing, my goal was, initially, of course, to make a fun genre film. But, since my subject at the time was marriage, I also wanted to talk about married life." Yu explained: "At first, I was superficially curious about sleepwalking. Then, I wondered what the daily life would look like for a loved one who has to stay by the side of a sleepwalker."[8][9] He also stated that sleep is a good subject for a horror movie, as "sleep is a state of complete surrender to your environment". Yu also stated that when he first created the character Soo-jin, he had Jung Yu-mi in mind as the perfect actress for the role.[10]

During pre-production, Bong Joon-ho showed appreciation Jason Yu's work. Yu had previously worked as Bong's assistant director during the production of his film Okja (2017). Bong strongly recommended Lee Sun-kyun to play the role of the husband, Hyeon-soo. In an interview after the film's premiere, Yu confessed, "While filming Sleep, I found myself, unconsciously and consciously, trying to imitate the image I had seen in Bong's Okja".[8]

Filming
Principal photography concluded on 12 April 2022.[11][12]

Release
On 17 April 2023, Sleep was selected to be screened in the Critics' Week section at the 76th Cannes Film Festival[13][14] where it had its world premiere on 21 May 2023.[15] The screening took place at Espace Miramar, in the presence of Jason Yu, Jung Yu-mi and Lee Sun-kyun.[16]

Distribution rights to the film were acquired by Lotte Entertainment,[17] who released it in South Korea on 6 September 2023.[18]

Reception
Box office
As of 22 December 2023, the film has grossed US$10,671,474 at the local box office and accumulated 1,470,359 admissions.[2]

Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 91% based on 34 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Elegantly executed, Sleep builds prosperously upon a familiar premise and delivers rousing chills."[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[20]

Reviewing the film following its Cannes premiere, Marilou Duponchel of Trois couleurs called it "a perfection of genre film where laughter and dread mingle. A profound and subtle reflection on married life".[21] Jean-Baptiste Morain of Les Inrockuptibles called it "a very successful first feature film, somewhere between horror and comedy".[22] Luc Chessel of Libération wrote, "Jason Yu distills a skilful atmosphere of anxiety".[23] Singapore's national newspaper The Straits Times gave the film four stars out of five, and it praised the film for dealing with "mysterious nightly terrors packs in more scares than films twice as long".[24]

Director Bong Joon-ho lauded the film as "the most unique horror film and the smartest debut film I've seen in 10 years".[4][25]

Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Baeksang Arts Awards 7 May 2024 Best New Director Jason Yu Nominated [26][27]
Best Screenplay Won
Best Actress Jung Yu-mi Nominated
Blue Dragon Film Awards 24 November 2023 Best Actress Jung Yu-mi Won [28][unreliable source?]
Best New Director Jason Yu Nominated [29]
Best Editing Han Mi-yeon Nominated
Buil Film Awards 3 October 2024 Best Film Sleep Pending [30]
Best Actress Jung Yu-mi Pending
Best New Director Jason Yu Pending
Best Screenplay Jason Yu Pending
Cannes Film Festival 27 May 2023[a] Critics' Week Grand Prix Jason Yu Nominated [32]
Caméra d'Or Nominated [1]
Grand Bell Awards 15 November 2023 Best Film Sleep Nominated [33][unreliable source?]
Best Actress Jung Yu-mi Nominated
Best New Director Jason Yu Nominated
Best Screenplay Jason Yu Nominated
Best Music Jang Hyuk-jin, Jang Yong-jin Nominated
Best Sound Gong Tae-won Nominated
Korean Film Producers Association Awards 7 December 2023 Best Actress Jung Yu-mi Won [citation needed]
Notes