Making it's US premiere at the 29th annual H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival, "Dream Eater" was eagerly received by those in attendance. This film shows the love that a D.I.Y independent film crew can create, where the three writers were also the directors, and two of them were the primary actors. This normally a sign for disaster but this was anything but that. "Dream Eater" is an engaging, tense film that amps up to a relentless climax. The ending may leave you with questions that you'll be kicking around long after the movie has finished, in a good way.
"Dream Eater" is about a documentary filmmaker who is recording her boyfriend's erratic and violent parasomnia. The movie is presented as a found footage film, which is perfect considering that nature of the narrative. Alex and Mallory leave the city for a vacation at a secluded cabin in the snowy mountains. Isolated, they only have each other to depend on. While loving, the relationship seems toxic with sudden outbursts from Alex whenever he is questioned about his childhood. At night, his parasomnia behavior escalates more every night, as Alex begins to claim that there is another presence there with them, hiding beneath the house. It becomes clear to Mallory that something is terribly wrong, possibly related to his childhood, possibly something supernatural, but most likely both.
"Dream Eater" is unique for a found footage film for few reasons. For one, there is a musical score, something that is noticeably absent for obvious reason. Second, there is a moment in the film where it feels like Mallory is breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the audience as she shows us a video clip that she discovered. This leads the viewer to entertain the idea that the movie itself is a documentary, that Mallory used this as her next project. It's an interesting concept if true, but in any case, this does not ruin or take away from the from the haunting atmosphere that is carefully crafted. And I love any movie that takes place in a snowy winter wonderland!
Jay Drakulic and Alex Lee Williams during a cosmic horror panel
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