'Dream Eater' (2024) Review – A Haunting Descent Into the Unknown
by Michael Wommack
Sleep should be a refuge — a place where the mind finds peace. But in Dream Eater, sleep is a doorway to something far more disturbing. Directed by Alex Lee Williams, Jay Drakulic, and Mallory Drumm, this Canadian horror film lures us into a terrifying labyrinth of parasomnia, found-footage tension, and creeping supernatural dread.
The film follows documentary filmmaker Mallory, who sets out to capture her boyfriend Alex’s sleepwalking episodes while vacationing in a remote mountain cabin. At first, the footage reveals nothing more than the usual nocturnal restlessness—until Alex’s episodes take a violent turn. What starts as an unsettling case of parasomnia soon spirals into something far more sinister, leading Mallory to question whether Alex’s affliction is medical… or supernatural.
Dream Eater thrives on atmosphere. The isolation of the snow-covered wilderness adds a layer of cold, inescapable dread, while the found-footage format lends an unsettling intimacy to the horror. The slow-burn pacing allows the terror to seep in gradually, making the moments of pure fear hit even harder. And when the scares arrive, they are unnerving—not just in their execution, but in what they suggest: that something ancient, something unknowable, has set its sights on Alex.
Williams and Drumm deliver raw, believable performances, grounding the film’s supernatural elements in a deeply personal struggle. Meanwhile, the cinematography—both in its handheld documentary style and eerie, static compositions—echoes the best of the genre, drawing comparisons to Lake Mungo and The Blair Witch Project. The horror here is patient, seeping into the corners of the frame, waiting to be noticed. And once you see it, you can’t unseen it.
Perhaps the most effective aspect of Dream Eater is its ambiguity. It doesn’t hold the audience’s hand or explain away its horrors. Instead, it lingers in the mind like a half-remembered nightmare, making you wonder if something was watching you while you slept.
For fans of psychological horror and slow-burn terror, Dream Eater is an unforgettable experience—one that leaves you wide awake, staring into the dark, wondering what might be staring back.
Final Verdict: ★★★★
Dream Eater is set to screen at the 8th Unnamed Footage Festival (UFF8), a San Francisco-based event dedicated to found footage horror, faux documentary, and POV cinema. UFF8 runs from March 26 to 30, 2025, showcasing innovative films in these genres.
The film will be shown at the Balboa Theatre on Saturday, March 28, at 1 PM. Tickets and festival badges, granting access to all screenings and events, are available through the Unnamed Footage Festival's ticketing page.
For those interested in attending, the festival offers a unique opportunity to experience Dream Eater among other compelling found footage films. More information about the festival's lineup and schedule can be found on their official website.
To get a glimpse of what Dream Eater has in store, check out the official trailer released by the Unnamed Footage Festival: