🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Mick Garris
- Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Thriller
- Release year: 1992
- Runtime (length): 1h 31min
- IMDb rating: 5.4/10 (28K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 26%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Mommy issues plus virgin hunting equals a bizarre horror-comedy where cats are the ultimate weapon against incestuous shapeshifting vampires.
🍿 Sleepwalkers: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Arrival in Travis, Indiana
Charles Brady and his mother, Mary, move to a small town after fleeing Bodega Bay, California, following a previous ‘feeding.’ They are sleepwalkers, creatures with human and feline origins who need to feed on the life force of young virgins to survive. Charles quickly enrolls in the local high school to find their next victim.

Courting Tanya
Charles sets his sights on Tanya Robertson, a student in his creative writing class. He charms her, asks her on a date, and invites her to a picnic at a local cemetery. Tanya is unaware of his true intentions, believing he is genuinely interested in her. However, the date takes a dark turn as Charles attempts to drain her life force.

The Cemetery Attack
During their picnic, Charles reveals his true nature and attacks Tanya, attempting to steal her life force. Tanya fights back, managing to injure him and escape. Meanwhile, a local deputy, Andy Simpson, and his cat, Clovis, become suspicious of Charles after a strange encounter on the road where Charles displays unusual abilities.

Mary’s Rampage
With Charles severely injured, Mary becomes desperate and goes on a rampage to capture Tanya and feed her son. She attacks Tanya’s family, kills several police officers in a brutal fashion, and kidnaps Tanya, taking her back to their house. The local cat population, sensing the evil, begins to gather around the Brady’s home.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Charles Brady (Brian Krause): A sleepwalker son who hunts virgins to feed his mother, displaying charm and deadly cat-like transformations.
- Mary Brady (Alice Krige): The seductive and fiercely protective sleepwalker mother who relies on her son to provide her with sustenance.
- Tanya Robertson (Mädchen Amick): A virginal high school student who becomes the target of the sleepwalkers, displaying resilience and courage.
- Andy Simpson (Dan Martin): A local sheriff who investigates the suspicious activities of the sleepwalkers, aided by his perceptive cat.
- Clovis (Monty Bane): The heroic cat companion of Sheriff Simpson, instinctively aware of the sleepwalkers’ true nature and a key defender against them.
- Captain Soames (Ron Perlman): A state police captain who becomes involved in the investigation, ultimately confronting the lethal nature of the sleepwalkers.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Charles Brady: “Cop-kebab!” – Charles exclaims this after stabbing a police officer in the ear with a pencil during a confrontation.
- Mary Brady: “This doesn’t have to hurt. Just think of yourself as lunch!” – Mary says this to Tanya when preparing to feed on her life force.
- Mary Brady: “You killed my son… my only son.” – Mary screams this at Tanya as she burns to death, enraged by the death of Charles.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $15,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $30,524,763
- Worldwide Gross: $30,524,763
💥 Sleepwalkers Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, Sleepwalkers is one of those movies that’s so bad, it’s almost good! I first saw it late at night and was instantly hooked by the sheer craziness. Alice Krige is amazing as the mom, and the whole ‘cats vs. evil’ thing is just hilarious. The cemetery scene is a classic for all the wrong reasons, especially the pencil-in-the-ear moment. Honestly, it’s a guilty pleasure that I can’t help but enjoy!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of campy horror movies.”
- “Those who enjoy Stephen King’s more outlandish stories.”
- “Viewers looking for a movie with practical effects and creature designs.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence and gore.”
- “Incestuous themes.”
- “Animal harm (cats attacking humans, implied cat deaths at the beginning).”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Sleepwalkers is a bizarre and uneven horror film with some interesting moments, but ultimately falls flat due to its silly plot and questionable execution, failing to deliver genuine scares or compelling characters.
- AllMovie: “While Sleepwalkers has some creepy moments thanks to Alice Krige’s performance, the overall story is too silly to be truly frightening. The odd mix of horror and humor doesn’t quite work, resulting in a forgettable Stephen King adaptation. Skip it.
- TV Guide: “Undistinguished Stephen King tale about a mother and son who require virgin blood to stay alive. Not much suspense and too much gore, but Alice Krige does her best to make her character compelling. Overall, a disappointing effort.
Audience Reactions
The film is enjoyably campy and over-the-top.: Many viewers found the movie entertaining despite its flaws and appreciated its unique blend of horror and comedy.
Alice Krige’s performance is a standout.: Audiences praised Alice Krige for her captivating portrayal of the villainous mother, adding a layer of intrigue to an otherwise ridiculous story.
Overall Consensus: Sleepwalkers is a campy and flawed horror film that some find entertaining due to its over-the-top nature and unique premise, while others criticize its silly plot and uneven execution.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Sleepwalkers was Stephen King’s first original screenplay, not based on any of his previously published works.”
- “The film features cameo appearances by several prominent horror directors, including John Landis, Joe Dante, Tobe Hooper, and Clive Barker, as well as Stephen King himself.”
- “The house used as the Brady’s residence was also used as the Walton’s house in ‘The Waltons’ TV series.”
- “The film’s opening scene, depicting dead cats, was filmed in Bodega Bay, California, as a nod to Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’.”
🖥️ How to Watch Sleepwalkers?
As of [Current Date], Sleepwalkers is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential broadcast availability. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Sleepwalkers, you might like these similar films:
- Cat People (1982): Shares the theme of humans with feline origins and a connection to predatory instincts.
- Fright Night (1985): Features a teenage protagonist discovering that their charming new neighbor is a monster.
- The Lost Boys (1987): Focuses on a group of teenage vampires preying on a small town, similar to the sleepwalkers.
- Cujo (1983): Another Stephen King horror film, also involving animals turning deadly
🛒 Sleepwalkers Related Products
- Stephen King’s Sleepwalkers [Blu-ray]: A must-have for die-hard Stephen King fans, this Blu-ray edition features enhanced picture and sound quality, offering a nostalgic trip back to this cult classic horror flick. Great for collectors looking to complete their horror movie library. Check Amazon for this.
- Cat Scratch Fever T-Shirt: Show your love for the feline heroes of Sleepwalkers with this unique and humorous t-shirt. Made from high-quality materials and featuring a stylish design, this shirt is a fun way to express your appreciation for this quirky horror film. Check Amazon for availability.
- Stephen King Complete Collection: Access a comprehensive collection of Stephen King’s works, including the screenplay for Sleepwalkers, in digital format. Enjoy reading his stories on your Kindle or other e-readers and delve deeper into the mind of the master of horror.
- Sleepwalkers Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original Sleepwalkers movie poster. Perfect for framing and displaying in your home theater or horror-themed room, this poster is a great way to commemorate this cult classic film.
🎧 Soundtrack
Sleepwalkers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Sleepwalkers are nomadic shape-shifting creatures with human and feline origins. They need to feed on the life force of virginal human females to survive and are vulnerable to the deadly scratch of a cat.
The movie establishes that a cat’s scratch is deadly to Sleepwalkers, though it doesn’t fully explain the reason. It’s an intrinsic weakness, possibly related to their feline origins or a deeper, more mystical connection.
No, Sleepwalkers is based on an original screenplay written by Stephen King, not a pre-existing novel.
🔥 Bonus Content
Sleepwalkers – First Viewing
Ever wonder what it’s like to watch a Stephen King movie for the very first time? Check out this hilarious ‘first viewing’ of Sleepwalkers from Channel Awesome – you’ll laugh and maybe even appreciate the movie’s quirks a little more!
That Time Stephen King Went (Even More) Off the Rails
Think Stephen King is weird? This video dives into Sleepwalkers and explores just how ‘off the rails’ he went with this one. It’s a fun watch if you enjoy King’s more out-there concepts!
Stephen King’s Sleepwalkers Creature Story And Anatomy – Explored – Are They From Todash Space?
Want to know *everything* about the Sleepwalkers creatures? This video breaks down their anatomy and possible origins, including a connection to Todash Space! It’s a deep dive for true horror fans.
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