Some nightmares should stay buried. But in Parasomnia, those nightmares may have found a way out.
Shudder will release the horror film on September 4. Before reaching Shudder, Parasomnia made an impressive journey through the horror festival circuit.
James Ross II made his writing and directorial feature debuts on the supernatural thriller. The movie stars Jasmine Mathews, Stephen Barrington, and RJ Brown.
Parasomnia plunges viewers into a terrifying mystery. At its center is Riley (Mathews), a young woman haunted by night terrors and painful memories. When her best friend suddenly disappears, Riley begins searching for answers. What she discovers may be far more horrifying than she imagined.
Parasomnia Turns Nightmares Into a Living Nightmare
Riley has spent years struggling with night terrors and unresolved tragedy. Her disturbing dreams have become a terrifying part of her everyday life.
Then her best friend goes missing. The disappearance forces Riley to confront something lurking inside her nightmares. A demonic figure has haunted her sleep for reasons she cannot explain.
Soon, Riley begins to suspect something impossible. The creature from her dreams may have crossed into the real world.
That terrifying possibility becomes the driving mystery behind Parasomnia. As Riley searches for her missing friend, the line between dreams and reality begins to collapse.
James Ross II Makes His Feature Directorial Debut
Ross’ places his first feature firmly inside unsettling psychological territory. It combines night terrors, grief, disappearance, and demonic horror.
Mathews, Barrington, and Brown helped bring Riley’s increasingly disturbing world to life. Rather than keeping the horror confined to sleep, Parasomnia threatens to make waking life just as dangerous.
Parasomnia Has Already Terrified the Festival Circuit
Before its upcoming official release Shudder, Parasomnia garnered attention on the horror festival circuit. The drama had its world premiere at FrightFest London on August 22, 2025. The screening took place at the ODEON Luxe West End as part of the festival lineup.
The movie later had its North American premiere at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival. That screening took place in October 2025 at Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg.
Parasomnia continued its festival run into this year. The thriller was selected to play at the Overlook Film Festival in New Orleans this past April. It was there that Shudder announced its acquisition of the film. The drama also appeared in the Panic Fest 2026 film program.
With its festival screenings behind it, Parasomnia is ready to unleash its nightmare on Shudder.
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