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As the Village Sleeps

Play trailer 1:10 Poster for As the Village Sleeps 2021 1h 23m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 97% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Sarah plans a birthday weekend at her family home, bringing together an unlikely group of friends and relatives. While playing a mysterious card game, legend becomes reality and they struggle to survive as the living game turns them against each other.

Critics Reviews

View All (3) Critics Reviews
Michael Talbot-Haynes Film Threat The cabin in the woods subgenre gets a feng shui make-over... clever flashbacks for fun reveals and a lot of world-building. Rated: 7/10 Sep 8, 2022 Full Review Alejandro Turdó Hoy Sale Cine The Hangover meets Wes Craven's Cursed in Terry Spears As The Village Sleeps. A Teen Horror Thriller set basically in the middle of nowhere. Fantasy and reality blend quite interestingly in this intriguing thriller. Rated: 6/10 Aug 16, 2021 Full Review Evan Dossey Midwest Film Journal An effective microbudget horror with clever camerawork and good performances. Aug 15, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (26) audience reviews
Kris Y The Hangover meets Wes Craven’s Cursed in this teen thriller. I do wish they had shown more of the werewolves. It's more of a thriller and less of a horror but I truly enjoyed watching it. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/08/24 Full Review Ethan M Prepare yourself for a thrilling ride as "As the Village Sleeps" takes you on an unexpected journey filled with mystery, suspense, and heart-pounding twists. Directed by Terry Spears, this film seamlessly blends elements of horror, suspense, and human drama to deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience. The story follows Sarah, portrayed brilliantly by Eleonora Saravalle, who plans a birthday weekend at her family home, uniting a diverse group of friends and relatives. However, what begins as a celebration quickly takes a sinister turn when they stumble upon a mysterious card game with origins rooted in legend. What makes "As the Village Sleeps" truly captivating is its ability to keep audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish. As the game unfolds, tensions rise, and the line between reality and legend blurs, leading to a series of chilling encounters that will leave viewers guessing until the very end. The ensemble cast delivers standout performances, bringing depth and authenticity to each character. From the charismatic Sarah to the enigmatic stranger who introduces the game, every actor immerses themselves fully into their roles, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. One of the film's greatest strengths lies in its ability to explore themes of friendship, betrayal, and survival amidst the chaos. As the characters are forced to confront their deepest fears and darkest secrets, "As the Village Sleeps" delves into the complexities of human nature, leaving audiences questioning who they can trust until the final credits roll. "As the Village Sleeps" is a must-see for any lover of suspense and horror. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/15/24 Full Review Joe C Yo, peep this: "As the Village Sleeps" ain't your typical horror-thriller, but it holds its ground. Terry Spears and Chloë Bellande bring the heat despite the low budget, using a remote spot and a crew of good-looking kids fighting for their lives. Spears plays it slick, never fully revealing the beast or the bodies, keeping it all up to your imagination. And trust, that's way more chilling than some weak gore and makeup. They hit you with those jump scares, just like how "The Blair Witch Project" rocked it back then. The crew plays their roles tight, each character popping even as they're losing it (and maybe their lives). You got your cocky dude, the last girl standing, some boyfriends, and the pals who are basically walking targets for the horrors. Don't sleep on it-this flick knows how to work those tropes to its advantage. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/19/23 Full Review Olivia P A low budget film, but very well done. Suspenseful, trippy, fun. Great cast. The movie builds nicely and really pulls you in. I'm not always a fan of horror, too much carnage sometimes. So I was pleasantly surprised how involved I became. The plot keeps you guessing. Despite its modest budget, this film is a standout achievement in cinematic craftsmanship. It weaves a compelling narrative that is both suspenseful and delightfully trippy, offering a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The cast delivers standout performances, contributing to the movie's overall excellence. Rather than relying on gratuitous violence, the plot keeps viewers engaged through suspense, cleverly leaving much to the imagination. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/12/23 Full Review Fred U "As The Village Sleeps" unfolds as a timeless narrative featuring a group of young and attractive individuals navigating the precarious line between life and death. Positioned more as a thriller than a conventional horror film, it intriguingly taps into the power of imagination to evoke fear. The film skillfully leaves much of the horror to the viewer's imagination, a tactic that proves effective and resonant. What sets this movie apart is its ability to deliver a compelling story despite its modest budget. "As The Village Sleeps" stands as a testament to the craft of low-budget filmmaking done right, successfully capturing the essence of suspense and thrill. In a genre often reliant on extravagant visuals, this film showcases the potency of subtlety and storytelling, making it a noteworthy addition to the realm of suspenseful cinema. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/12/23 Full Review Anne-Laure M "When a scary game becomes a living nightmare," that's how I would sum up "As The Village Sleeps." This is Jumanji revisited in a horror movie version. It captivated me from the very first scene. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. I was particularly impressed by the image clarity in the night scenes. The lighting has been intelligently thought out, which is rarely the case. The music is also worth highlighting in this film. The cast distribution is good, and although the story is focused on around ten characters, it's easy to understand who's who, and the group dynamic works well. Definitely a great horror movie that kept me in suspense until the end (and this comes from someone who hates horror movies!). Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
As the Village Sleeps

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Sarah plans a birthday weekend at her family home, bringing together an unlikely group of friends and relatives. While playing a mysterious card game, legend becomes reality and they struggle to survive as the living game turns them against each other.
Director
Terry Spears
Producer
Kris Young, Terry Spears, Gray Frederickson
Screenwriter
Chloë Bellande
Genre
Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 18, 2021
Runtime
1h 23m