Shapeshifters With A Twist: Mick Garris’ ‘Sleepwalkers’ (2002) – Retro Review

Throughout the years, I have always enjoyed a good Stephen King story. I think we all have, but for me, one movie more than any other stands out in my mind as one of the most oddly underrated. So in leu of its anniversary, we are going to be celebrating shapeshifters with a twist… happy 30th anniversary to Mick Garris’ Sleepwalkers, released April 10, 1992. From its unique storyline to its colorful cast, let’s dive in a bit and appreciate this strange little gem for what it is, a horror movie that is underrated and under appreciated and one that I love so much.

I am not going to lie; Sleepwalkers does have some strange qualities to it, but I won’t give too much away. I will let you decide for yourself what those details are. With that being saidm I love the cast, which is one of those things I always appreciate about Stephen King’s films. The cast chosen does do their best to get the story across and in this film it is highly evident. Brian Krause, although not in a lot of films, portrays Charles Brady perfectly. He had to come across as charming and adorable and a little awkward at times in order to fool the girl, and he does it so well. I had a huge crush on him as a teenager. I think we all did at some point or another. He is the perfect concoction of charming and horrifying.

Playing the good girl Tanya Roberts is the wonderful and beautiful Madchen Amick. She is another one of those otherworldly acting gems that are not celebrated enough. She plays the perfect victim and does so well at displaying the innocence that Charles and his mother crave. Everything about her portrayal is great, and you can tell she gives it her all in every single scene that she’s in. I can’t help but admire that kind of determination in a actor, no matter who they are.

Mary Brady is portrayed by Alice Krige, the villain in Sleepwalkers. The relationship between her and her son is less than natural, to say the least. She is so vicious and manipulative. Alice is great at those kinds of roles. She seems to be another one of those actresses who only take only a few roles, yet she’s fantastic in the ones she chooses. It’s a sad state of affairs when great actresses don’t get the recognition they deserve. She is one of those ones that deserve so much more, especially for this role.

I loved the effects of Sleepwalkers back in 1992, and I still do. I love practical effects. I can honestly say that even though these effects aren’t perfect, the monster makeup here is my favorite. And towards the end we even get a sweet little cameo from Ron Pearlman who plays a mouthy cop who gets what’s coming to him with some bloody repercussions. Can’t say he wasn’t looking for it.

With that being said, we want to keep this fantastic, strange, and oddly bizarre film alive and appreciated. Lets start celebrating shapeshifters with a twist! Happy 30the anniversary to Mick Garris’ Sleepwalkers!