Dream Eater (film)
| Dream Eater | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jay Drakulic Mallory Drumm Alex Lee Williams |
| Written by | Jay Drakulic Mallory Drumm Alex Lee Williams |
| Produced by | Jay Drakulic Mallory Drumm Alex Lee Williams |
| Starring | Alex Lee Williams Mallory Drumm |
| Cinematography | Michael Caterina |
| Edited by | Vigo Vasquez |
| Music by | Julian Stirpe |
Production companies | Blind Luck Pictures Vortex Media |
| Distributed by | The Horror Section |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $100,000 (est.) |
Dream Eater is a 2025 Canadian found footage horror film co-written and co-directed by Jay Drakulic, Mallory Drumm, and Alex Lee Williams. Produced by Blind Luck Pictures with support from Vortex Media, the film stars Drumm and Williams as a couple documenting a violent sleep disorder in a remote cabin. It was distributed theatrically by The Horror Section.[1]
Plot
Mallory, a documentary filmmaker, and her boyfriend Alex retreat to a cabin in the Laurentian Mountains to address Alex's severe parasomnia. At a doctor's suggestion, Mallory filmed Alex's sleep patterns to monitor his condition. Over the course of a week, Alex's nocturnal behavior escalates into violence. As Mallory reviews the footage, she uncovers evidence suggesting that the disorder is linked to a supernatural, occult force rather than a medical condition. The narrative culminates in a confrontation with the entity influencing Alex.
Cast
- Alex Lee Williams as Alex
- Mallory Drumm as Mallory
Production
Dream Eater was produced by Blind Luck Pictures. The screenplay was influenced by the filmmakers' personal experiences with sleep disorders and research into violent parasomnia cases. Principal photography took place in March 2024 over a nine-day period in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec.[2]
Release
The film premiered at the 29th Annual H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival in October 2024, where it was awarded Best Feature. It subsequently screened at genre festivals including the Unnamed Footage Festival and Beyond Fest.[3]
In August 2025, Dream Eater was acquired for distribution by Eli Roth's genre studio The Horror Section. The film was released in approximately 350 theaters across North America on October 24, 2025, coordinated by Iconic Events in the U.S. and Vortex Media in Canada. A digital and video-on-demand release followed on November 18, 2025.
Reception
On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Dream Eater holds an approval rating of approximately 68%[4] Critical commentary generally praised the film's atmosphere, sound design, and "Lovecraftian" narrative elements, drawing comparisons to The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity.[5][6]
Awards
Williams, Drumm and Drakulic received a nomination for the One to Watch Award at the Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards 2025.[7]
References
- ^ Earl, William (2025-08-08). "Buzzy Festival Hit 'Dream Eater' Sets Theatrical Release via Eli Roth's The Horror Section, Reveals Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ Loayza, Beatrice (2025-10-23). "'Dream Eater' Review: Nightmares on the Move". The New York Times. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (2025-09-10). "Beyond Fest Lineup: 'No Other Choice', 'Dust Bunny,' 'Good Fortune' & Many More Titles To Screen At 2025 Festival". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ "Dream Eater". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ Guthrie, Luna (2025-10-23). "'Dream Eater' Review: This 'Shining'-Inspired Found Footage Film Has the Scares, but Holds Itself Back From Horror Glory". Collider. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ Knapp, JD (2025-10-24). "Eli Roth Pays It Forward to 'Dream Eater' Directors: 'A Fantastic Year for Original Horror'". The Wrap. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ Andrew Tracy, "Mile End Kicks, ‘Nirvanna’ lead noms for Vancouver critics’ awards". Playback, January 21, 2026.
External links
- Dream Eater at IMDb