Midnight Madness at TIFF is always a lot of fun, and some great genre films get scheduled that are designed to deliver to the late-night audience. Sleep hopes to do that this week. A Korean entry to the film festival from writer/director Jason Yu. It’s his first feature film, and Yu creates a tense, moody film with a hint of ambiguity and some unnerving moments.

Expectant mother and hard-working executive, Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi) has more stress to deal with than she would like when her actor husband, Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun) begins to suffer from a sleep disorder that causes him physical harm, makes him sleepwalk, and eat all manner of things in the middle of the night.

There are some violent occurrences and some troubling reveals that make both of them realize he needs some medical help, but Soo-jin’s mother and her shaman plant seeds of something more nefarious, and evil.

They try to safe proof their home, and once the new baby comes along, Soo-jin begins to slowly succumb to her own madness centred around Hyun-su’s disorder. Or is it something more?

Is there a supernatural explanation for what is happening to Hyun-su, or is it something that can be medically treated?

Yu ensures that as the story progresses, told in three chapters, that science and superstition can provide possible explanations. But which one is right? Which one will Soo-jin believe? Can Hyun-su find a cure?

There are terrible reveals as madness seems to claim the family. Or is it just a sleep disorder? The struggle between faith and facts plays out in the family’s tiny apartment. The film’s themes hint at broader discussions that are occurring throughout the world but Yu doesn’t let that detract from his narrative.

A fantastic feature debut from Yu, the film delivers scares in some very well-crafted sequences and performances. He uses his frame, pacing, and tension instead of jump scares and gore. It’s a smart entry into the horror genre and works best because of the way that Yu plants in his tale.

Sleep has its North American Premiere at Midnight Madness on Friday 15 September at the Royal Alexandra Theatre and has a follow-up screening on Saturday 16 September at Scotiabank. Check out tickets, showtimes and other films here.