Movies about sleep-wake disorders - Mental Health Related Films
Movies that explore, engage, or offer insight into sleep-wake disorders and the social and psychological issues involved.
Human lives and behaviour are far more nuanced and emotive than any psychiatric diagnostic system or symptom checklist can ever portray.
Most people recognise aspects of themselves in at least a few psychiatric diagnostic categories. The difference between normal and disorder is not straightforward and often has more to do with degree rather than kind, i.e. does it cause big problems?
While movies are not perfect depictions of reality, they often present themes in relatable, enriching, usefully challenging, and thought-provoking ways.
We invite you to explore mental health through movies that raise awareness, open dialogue, present complexity, entertain, and/or normalise experiences.
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What are Sleep-wake disorders?
From time to time, we all experience sleeping problems. Causes vary and may include too much caffeine, stress, lifestyle changes, or our hectic schedules. But if your sleeping issues begin to interfere with your everyday life, they may indicate a sleep-wake disorder.
In the DSM-5 (psychiatric diagnostic manual), sleep-wake disorders encompass 10 disorders or disorder groups: insomnia disorder, hypersomnolence disorder, narcolepsy, breathing-related sleep disorders, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep arousal disorders, nightmare disorder, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder, restless legs syndrome, and substance/medication-induced sleep disorder.
The DSM-V criteria (reduced/abridged) of eight are included below for educational purposes. All require significant distress or impairment in cognitive, social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning and that it is not better explained by another factor, e.g. medication. Diagnosis usually implies that the condition is experienced at least three times per week and has persisted for at least 3 months.
Not interested in the diagnostic criteria? Scroll down to get straight to the movies.
Insomnia Disorder 780.52 (G47.00):
A. A predominant complaint of dissatisfaction with sleep quantity or quality, associated with one (or more) of the following symptoms:
1. Difficulty initiating sleep.
2. Difficulty maintaining sleep, characterised by frequent awakenings or problems returning to sleep after awakenings.
3. Early-morning awakening with inability to return to sleep.
Hypersomnolence Disorder 780.54 (G47.10):
A. Self-reported excessive sleepiness (hypersomnolence) despite a main sleep period lasting at least 7 hours, with at least one of the following symptoms:
1. Recurrent periods of sleep or lapses into sleep within the same day.
2. A prolonged main sleep episode of more than 9 hours per day that is nonrestorative (i.e., unrefreshing).
3. Difficulty being fully awake after abrupt awakening.
Narcolepsy:
A. Recurrent periods of an irrepressible need to sleep, lapsing into sleep, or napping occurring within the same day.
Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Arousal Disorders:
A. Recurrent episodes of incomplete awakening from sleep, usually occurring during the first third of the major sleep episode, accompanied by either one of the following:
1. Sleepwalking: Repeated episodes of rising from bed during sleep and walking about. While sleepwalking, the individual has a blank, staring face; is relatively unresponsive to the efforts of others to communicate with him or her; and can be awakened only with great difficulty.
2. Sleep terrors: Recurrent episodes of abrupt terror arousals from sleep, usually beginning with a panicky scream. There is intense fear and signs of autonomic arousal, such as mydriasis, tachycardia, rapid breathing, and sweating, during each episode. There is relative unresponsiveness to efforts of others to comfort the individual during the episodes.
B. No or little (e.g., only a single visual scene) dream imagery is recalled.
C. Amnesia for the episodes is present.
Nightmare Disorder:
A. Repeated occurrences of extended, extremely dysphoric, and well-remembered dreams that usually involve efforts to avoid threats to survival, security, or physical integrity and that generally occur during the second half of the major sleep episode.
B. On awakening from the dysphoric dreams, the individual rapidly becomes oriented and alert.
Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder:
A. Repeated episodes of arousal during sleep associated with vocalisation and/or complex motor behaviours.
B. These behaviours arise during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and therefore usually occur more than 90 minutes after sleep onset, are more frequent during the later portions of the sleep period, and uncommonly occur during daytime naps.
C. Upon awakening from these episodes, the individual is completely awake, alert, and not confused or disoriented.
Restless Legs Syndrome 333.94 (G25.81):
A. An urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by or in response to uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs, characterised by all of the following:
1. The urge to move the legs begins or worsens during periods of rest or inactivity.
2. The urge to move the legs is partially or totally relieved by movement.
3. The urge to move the legs is worse in the evening or at night than during the day, or occurs only in the evening or at night.
B. The symptoms in Criterion A occur at least three times per week and have persisted for at least 3 months.
Substance/Medication-Induced Sleep Disorder:
A. A prominent and severe disturbance in sleep.
B. There is evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings of both (1)and (2):
1. The symptoms in Criterion A developed during or soon after substance intoxication or after withdrawal from or exposure to a medication.
2. The involved substance/medication is capable of producing the symptoms in Criterion A.
Movies about Sleep-wake disorders
If we missed an essential film about sleep-wake disorders, please let us know. We would love to include it.
Note: Movies may trigger painful memories and emotions. Please use your judgement and ensure support is available if need be.
Movie Title: Sleepwalker - Watch now on Prime
Release: 2017
Rated: 5.1
Cast: Ahna O'Reilly, Richard Armitage, Izabella Scorupco
Storyline: A graduate student named Sarah Foster seeks help at a university sleep research center due to her sleep disorder.
Movie Title: Sleep Paralysis and the Phenomenon of the Shadow People - Watch now on Prime
Release: 2022
Rated: -
Cast: Jeremy Behie, Heidi Berardi, Patricia Bowler
Storyline: The film explores the experiences of individuals with sleep-wake disorder, particularly sleep paralysis, and their encounters with otherworldly phenomena, the shadow people.
Movie Title: Sleepless Society: Insomnia
Release: 2020
Rated: 7.5
Cast: Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, Warisara Yu, Sutthatip Wutichaipradit
Storyline: A young woman suffering from insomnia, a sleep-wake disorder, sets out on a voyage to an old residence to solve a mystery and put an end to her disturbing nightmares.
Movie Title: Dead Awake - Watch now on Prime
Release: 2016
Rated: 4.6
Cast: Jocelin Donahue, Jesse Bradford, Jesse Borrego
Storyline: A young woman finds herself tasked with saving her friends as well as herself from sleep paralysis, a haunting sleep-wake disorder.
Movie Title: Sleepwalk With Me - Watch now on Prime
Release: 2012
Rated: 6.8
Cast: Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose
Storyline: Based on a true story, anxiety and sleep disorder causes a comedian to sleepwalk. His sleepwalk gets worse the longer his feelings go unexpressed.
Movie Title: The Machinist - Watch now on Prime
Release: 2004
Rated: 7.7
Cast: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason-Leigh
Storyline: A factory worker suffers from a sleep disorder called insomnia that severely affects his mental health and weight. He is involved in an accident that happened at his workplace that causes him to feel guilty. He becomes delusional and paranoid.
Movie Title: Fight Club - Watch now on Prime
Release: 1999
Rated: 8.9
Cast: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter
Storyline: A depressed man suffering from a sleep disorder called insomnia and a soap salesman forms an underground fight club.
Movie Title: Cashback - Watch now on Prime
Release: 2006
Rated: 7.2
Cast: Sean Biggerstaff, Emilia Fox, Michelle Ryan Erica Ellis
Storyline: A man develops a sleep disorder after breaking up with his girlfriend. His imagination turns into reality.
Movie Title: Insomnia - Watch now on Prime
Release: 2002
Rated: 7.2
Cast: Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank, Martin Donovan
Storyline: A police detective suffers from a sleep disorder called insomnia impacting his life tremendously when an accident happened as he is chasing down the suspect.
Movie Title: Chasing Sleep - Watch now on Prime
Release: 2000
Rated: 6.4
Cast: Jeff Daniels, Molly Price, Ben Shenkman
Storyline: Suffering from a sleep disorder, a college professor struggles to understand his wife's disappearance. He suffers a series of hallucinations and blackouts.
Movie Title: Taxi Driver - Watch now on Prime
Release: 1976
Rated: 8.4
Cast: Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Albert Brooks
Storyline: Suffering from a sleep disorder called insomnia, a taxi driver descends into insanity as he plots to clean the corruption in the city.
Movie Title: The Insomniac on the Bridge
Release: 1985
Rated: 6.4
Cast: Michael Lonsdale, Olimpia Carlisi
Storyline: Two men suffering from a sleeping disorder decide to rape a pregnant woman.
Movie Title: So You Think You Can't Sleep
Release: 1953
Rated: 6.9
Cast: George O'Hanlon, Phyllis Coats
Storyline: A man desperately wants to cure his sleeping disorder. He has chronic insomnia and allows himself to be treated by a specialist but the treatments prove ineffective.
Movie Title: Goodnight Nobody - Watch now on Prime
Release: 2010
Rated: 7.2
Cast: Mila Dean, Jeremie Kafando, Fedir Nesterchuck
Storyline: A documentary of four insomniacs from different places. Their sleep disorder keeps them wide awake.
References and Links
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
More on sleep -wake disorders: https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/sleep-disorders-symptoms-types
Recognising the symptoms of a sleep-wake disorder: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/sleep-disorders-and-problems.htm#:~:text=Insomnia%2C%20the%20inability%20to%20get,such%20as%20anxiety%20and%20depression.
Sleep disorder according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_disorder
Acknowledgements
The above article was written under my close direction and supervision. However, much credit goes to Charlene Poliquit (my right-hand man) and Andri Eigenberger (my beloved aunt) for their huge efforts in bringing this task to life.
Vincenzo Sinisi
Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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