Laura Hasn't Slept

2020 American short horror film

Jessica Bonander
Tristan Borys
Sean Dacanay
Jonathan Fass
Parker Finn

Starring

Caitlin Stasey
Lew Temple

CinematographyDan ClarkeEdited byTristan BorysMusic byRob HimebaughDistributed byParamount Home Entertainment

Release date

March 25, 2020 (2020-03-25) (SXSW)

Running time

11 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

Laura Hasn't Slept is a 2020 American short psychological supernatural horror film written, co-produced, and directed by Parker Finn. The film stars Caitlin Stasey and Lew Temple. It would later serve as inspiration and prequel for Finn's feature-length horror film Smile (2022), in which Stasey briefly reprised her role.^[1]

Plot

While telling her therapist Dr. Parsons about a recurring nightmare in which a sinister man constantly smiles at her, Laura Weaver discovers that she is still experiencing the nightmare when Parsons morphs into a grotesque creature that wants to force Laura to look at it. Refusing to look, Laura runs out of the room but returns a few moments later when she believes the monster has gone; however, it suddenly appears in front of her, causing her to go insane and scream while ripping off her own face.

Cast

Caitlin Stasey as Laura Weaver
Lew Temple as Dr. Parsons

Release

The film was screened at the SXSW Film Festival.^[2] Following the success of Smile, it was released on YouTube in November 2022.^[3]

Reception

Nightmarish Conjurings does "not recommend the film if you're having problems sleeping".^[2] Morbidly Beautiful scored it 4.5 out of 5.^[4]

References

^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 9, 2020). "Paramount, Temple Hill Set Feature Version Of Horror Short 'Laura Hasn't Slept'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
^ ^a ^b Musnicky, Sarah (April 7, 2020). "[SXSW Review] LAURA HASN'T SLEPT". Nightmarish Conjurings. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
^ Squires, John (November 30, 2022). "'Laura Hasn't Slept' – Watch the Original Short Film That Became This Year's 'Smile' [Video]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
^ "SXSW Shorts: Laura Hasn't Slept". Morbidly Beautiful. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.