Somnium Review: An Electric Debut!

People are most afraid of things they do not understand. This tends to be why modern technology and its evolution in various fields are the focus of modern entertainment, whether that be television or film. As we have seen through programs like Black Mirror, the horrors of advanced intelligence is an easy target for filmmakers, so much so that some of the content focusing on this idea feels like a dime a dozen.

Racheal Cain’s debut feature film Somnium follows our lead Gemma (Chloë Levine) who moves out to LA to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress. In order to make some money in the meantime, Gemma takes the graveyard shift at Somnium, a sleep clinic promising to make its client’s dreams come true.

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Through a six week program that involves auditory and visual images cycling through their brains, it is meant to change their perception of themselves and their reality. What looks like a sci-fi horror focused concept on the surface, Cain has created a film that is an exploration of facing fears amongst the backdrop of the bloodsucking Hollywood machine.

Somnium utilizes sci-fi and horror elements to tell a larger story of self-growth and confronting self-doubt. It can be easy for a story to be overpowered by the sci-fi avenue it goes down as the foundation for its story but Cain’s film uses the Sonmium sleep clinic as a device to further Gemma’s journey of self-belief.

The movie focuses on the idea of perception versus reality and whether there is a difference. The subjects at the clinic feel unfulfilled in their lives and wish for a way to make their “dreams come true.” Although the experiment does not alter the reality they step back into, it changes their psychological state and their ideas of themselves. At the root of the film is a very human fear of failure that Cain clearly exhibits.

With the film’s first draft completed in 2014 and crowdfunding making up a large sum of the first phase of production, Somnium was able to be developed largely through Kickstarter and later through Instagram connections to find its executive producers, cinematographer, and production designer. Cain also worked with only two VFX artists, Matt Lathrom and Patrick Lomanti, in order to bring 135 intricate visual effect shots into reality. Somnium’s visual effects are used sparingly and tactfully to present Gemma’s worst nightmares and the eerie production design of the Somnium facility.

Designed by Cain and Ian Cromer and brought to life by Olga Tarnovetska, the film’s “creature” is absolutely jarring and petrifying to watch move on screen. Cinematographer Lance Kuhns is able to light every scene perfectly from grungy apartment daylight sequences to neon parties and dreary nightmares.

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Although Somnium takes a different route towards its conclusion than other “fear of technology” films, it never minimizes its idea that Hollywood is a merciless black hole that will suck in the vulnerable. As much terror there is in Gemma’s life, once she is thrust into the world of Somnium, the film provides a more hopeful conclusion to connect with Cain’s personal experience of perseverance and dedication.

However, it still portrays the LA entertainment industry just as horrifying as it can be for newbies. Somnium greatly feels like a love letter to hopeful performers and even Cain herself. Its production and effects bring it into even more cinematic territory that will leave audiences impressed with its vision and execution.

‘Somnium’ Rating – 4/5

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