Despite many classic scary movies being based on true stories, the hybrid of ‘horror’ and ‘documentary’ has rarely been tread upon. Using a combination of interviews and recreated footage, The Nightmare aims to both inform the audience and provide genuine scares, and it succeeds with both.

We are introduced to a handful of individuals who all share their varied experience with sleep paralysis, a haunting that occurs while one is sleeping but feels incredibly lucid. The beginning of the documentary takes a while to get traction as the stories initially seem repetitive. At first, the recreated footage is implausible enough that it isn’t scary. However, as the film continues on, something about the concept and its no-nonsense execution managed to creep into my psyche enough to actually be scary. There are a few easy pop-out scares, but along with that, the reality that is presented truly begins to leave an unsettling notion. In simpler terms, what starts out as a bit ridiculous actually turns into something genuinely scary.

In simpler terms, what starts out as a bit ridiculous actually turns into something genuinely scary.

As the film moves on and settles in as chilling, it divides itself into various sections. There is a part in the film that talks about the potential science of this problem, and how the haunting may come from another reality. I would have enjoyed more of this. There’s also a chunk devoted to allusions in both art and pop culture. However, the film eventually spirals into the spiritual element of the paralysis; some victims found faith through these terrifying circumstances. It does beg the question of if this (like many horror movies) alienate those who don’t have the same faith beliefs as the subjects. That is for the individual to decide.

Overall, The Nightmare– directed by Rodney Ascher (Room 237)– provides chills while still being thought-provoking, and makes you thankful you’ve never encountered what these people are dealing with. The horror documentary combination may have limitations, but this one manages to work surprisingly well.

The Nightmare opens today at Laemmle Theatres.