I've recently taken a break from dramas and writing reviews while mourning the loss of someone very close to me but it was learning about the tragic passing of Lee Sun Kyun that kept me up tonight and ironically led to me staying up to watch "Sleep". I have been a fan of Lee Sun Kyun since "Coffee Prince", and missed all of the recent scandal and drama while caught up in my own personal sadness, so this has been a truly shocking evening. Maybe that's why this simple yet disturbing psychological horror story resonated with me. How your mind can play tricks on you when you're in a heightened emotional state is always a concept that fascinates me and adding a sleep disorder to that makes it even more interesting. This drama walks the fine line between familiar horror tropes that just work well with direction and visuals that are fresh and memorable. It was also the perfect film for the mood I'm currently in... something sadly disturbing and haunting.

Lee Sun Kyun has portrayed so many roles that I have loved and this one isn't necessarily a standout among them, but he is definitely in his element. He plays Hyun Soo, an aspiring Actor who lives with his super supportive and very pregnant wife Soo Jin played by Jung Yu Mi. Their relationship seems pretty ideal until Hyun Soo's disturbing actions while asleep put major stress on their lives. I love that the way things slowly evolve is so realistic and that's what made it so disturbing to me. Yes, there are some classic horror moments including possibly animals and kids being hurt, but that's pretty much par for the course in a horror movie as far as I'm concerned, although this movie never goes overboard with over-the-top blood or comes close to anything truly gorey. In true psychological horror fashion, it's more about setting up a creepy atmosphere with many of the horrors implied and without being so abstract that you lose the actual story.

As for the story, I thought it was well told, with an ending that will probably leave a lot of room for debate. I thought I knew exactly how the story would go, but the start of Act 3 caught me off guard. I wouldn't call it a mindblowing ending by any means but it was an interesting ride and for me a satisfying conclusion... at least my interpretation of what happened.

Would I watch this again? Yes. I am a fan of horror and this is one that was entertaining to watch with a great cast and great direction even if it's not necessarily groundbreaking. Other Lee Sun Kyun fans may not be in the mood to see him playing someone going through so much mental agony just yet, which I understand too.

Overall, I am glad I stayed up to watch "Sleep". It reminded me of classic horror movies like "Rosemary's Baby", with quite a few images that will keep me up a little longer. People looking for a horror film with epic twists, major jumpscares, or diabolical villains will likely be disappointed. I liked the concept of one's mind possibly being the real horror... or not. Or the horror of not having control over your actions, which legit freaks me out. Could there have been improvements? Sure. Could some parts of the story use some more depth and explanation? Sure. But as is, I think this movie still delivers.

***Thank you Lee Sun Kyun, for bringing such ease of talent to so many great roles. You will be missed. Sleep in Peace : (