katzcrazy1984 It took me a long time to find this movie and as it started, I considered turning it off. It seemed very poorly made and the characters grated me. As I gave it a second chance, it did not need a third. The story is simple but effective and you start really caring about Blue and all that is happening to her. There was no twist, so don't look for one. It was highly enjoyable and the characters became more full as it went. Not so much development, just stronger. The story was that of a camp fire tale,in my mind that went directly without any twists, turns or red herrings. I enjoyed this film but won't watch it again.

Nigel P To me, an out-of-season sea-front is an ideal place for horror stories. Ever since MR James' 'Oh, Whistle, And I'll Come To You, My Lad' perceived such a location as an isolated, ghostly, shunned arena for supernatural phenomena, it has amazed me the location hasn't been utilised a lot more within this genre.'The Sleeping Room' makes excellent use of Brighton sea-front for such a premise, for both interiors and exteriors. The retro tackiness of some of the decor in various rooms conveys a nice suggestion of timelessness into which this somewhat standard story is set.Of the cast, Joseph Beattie as Bill really impresses, transforming from being shy and slightly awkward, into a 'The Shining'-style lunatic with great skill. Sadly, there is an occasionally lacklustre performance from scratchy voiced Leila Mimmack as Blue, who nevertheless comes to life in moments of tension. Julie Graham, David Sibley and Chris Waller provide excellent support.The secret room in Bill's new apartment carries ghostly remembrances of 'Frisky' Fiskin, a terrifying perverted murderer. It's a fairly routine story given extra flourish by the director. It rushes through the events somewhat, leaving little time to dwell on the threat – especially during the climactic events.

Coventry "The Sleeping Room" is the type of film for which I honestly regret only being able to give a mediocre rating 5/10. Not out of malice or just to be different, but because it sadly doesn't deserve any better. The basic plot idea is good and original, the filming locations and set-pieces are terrific and it does contain a handful genuine moments of fright, but overall speaking the film doesn't have a proper pacing and the screenplay severely lacks coherence and logic (particularly towards the ending). I specifically regret my rather low rating because I absolutely love British horror movies set in the Victorian era or referring to the Victorian era, and because director/co-writer John Shackleton is a very sympathetic guy! He was present at the Brussels Festival of Fantastic Films and explained that the inspiration for "The Sleeping Room" came almost spontaneously when he was walking around in Brighton and witnessed the entire authentically creepy Victorian legacy. He's definitely right about that! Whilst renovating an old Victorian brothel, the timed handyman Bill and the troubled prostitute Blue find an antique movie projector that shows an unorthodox little home video made by the original brother owner Fiskin. When exploring the mansion further, because sex didn't work out anyway, they find more sinister things like a double-sized mirror and a secret sleeping room, which was used by the prostitutes to rest in between shifts and where the pioneer snuff-movies where shot. Blue discovers there's a blood link with her own macabre family history, while Bill gradually gets absorbed by the powerful influence of Fiskin's ghost. Oh, and in the meantime they also have to fight off Blue's loathsome pimp Freddie! The mystery Fiskin mansion truly had me captivated and focused, even though it unfolds terribly slow, but then suddenly everything nearly gets ruined because the script reverts to dreadful clichés, like shape-shifting and hallucinations. The primitive snuff footage is unsettling and the killer wears a horrifying mask (although it's just a simple cloth bag, like Jason Vorhees wore in "Friday the 13th Part II") and I counted two or three noteworthy "jump"-moments, but still "The Sleeping Room" left me behind unsatisfied and slightly disappointed. The acting performances are more than adequate, with a strong performance of the ravishing Leila Mimmack and a joyously sleazy part for David Sibley.

Simon Stapleton This is a masterpiece in independent film making. The Sleeping Room is exquisitely fast paced and takes viewers through a Hammer-style plot thickly laden with mystery. Set in Brighton, Blue is an escort who gets more than she bargains for when she arrives at the home of her client Bill who is doing up a house. Together they discover something in the house that sets the story from sleaze to screams! For those that like deep character development, you might be disappointed, but if you like a well written story with imaginative use of narrative and effects that frequently creeps you out, then this is for you. The use of sound is chilling. Great acting, and a brilliant example of directing by John Shackleton, despite this being his first feature film.