(1982) TVM ***1/2
Mary thinks there is something alive under her bed.
Mary is right!"
Following the death of their eldest daughter Jennifer from a horrific car fire, Philip and Laura (Rhoda) move their family into a new home for a fresh start. Soon after the move middle daughter Mary begins having visions of Jennifer late at night. Jennifer is apparently angry about her untimely demise and she begins to instruct Mary on how to murder the remainder of their family members that include a younger sister and brother, their parents, and a cranky grandmother. Mary’s method of murder includes a series of “accidents”, which prove to be quite effective. Will Laura figure things out before it’s too late?
Kill them all!
Is Mary taking instructions from the ghost of her deceased sister or is she just a bad seed? The film will keep you guessing to the end and that’s a good thing. This was one of the better made-for-television movies that I checked out this year. The big reveal during the climax of the film took me by surprise and the actress who plays the little girl Mary is just terrific as an unhinged sociopath (or is she?). This is also the first time I have ever seen a pizza cutter used as a weapon. Catfreeek reviewed this one and observed that the kids were little brats. I completely agree with her assessment. Don’t Go to Sleep is an effective little chiller with a surprisingly high body count.
