Before I Go To Sleep

Before I Go to Sleep is a psychological thriller directed by Rowan Joffe and based on the novel of the same name written by S.J. Watson.

The movie stars Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, and Mark Strong and explores themes of memory, trust, and identity.

It received mixed reviews when it was originally released but actually, it's a really solid thriller with plenty to like, if you're into tension-filled narratives.

So what is it about, and is it worth watching?

What Is Before I Go to Sleep About?

The story revolves around Christine Lucas (played by Nicole Kidman), a woman who, after a traumatic accident, suffers from anterograde amnesia. That is a condition that prevents her from forming new memories.

Every time she goes to sleep, her memory resets, and she wakes up with no recollection of the events that occurred the previous day. As a result, she relies on a video diary and a daily journal to remember important details about her life.

With the help of her husband, Ben (Colin Firth), Christine tries to piece together her memories and uncover the truth about her past.

However, as she delves deeper into her own memories, she starts to question everything and becomes increasingly suspicious of those around her.

As Christine begins to unravel the mystery, she encounters Dr. Nasch (Mark Strong), a neuropsychologist who offers to help her recover her memories.

Driven by her desire to uncover the truth, Christine must navigate a web of lies, deception, and manipulation, all while grappling with her own memory loss.

Before I Go to Sleep Official Trailer

Is Before I Go to Sleep Worth Watching?

Before I Go to Sleep is all about memory, trust, and identity. With its suspenseful plot twists and psychological tension, Kidman is great as Christine who must constantly distinguish between reality and the distorted versions of events she encounters in her fragmented memory.

In fact, all of the cast are great including Mark Strong, who is perfect for this role. He gives his character enough darkness and menace to really make you question his motives and role in Christine's life.

Likewise for Oscar-winner Colin Firth (Kursk: The Last Mission) who does a great job playing an empathetic husband who must live with someone who does not know him from one day to the next.

And of course, there's the always brilliant Anne Marie Duff who plays Claire, Christine's best friend. So with that kind of cast, you know you're in for a treat.

Before I Go to Sleep successfully builds psychological tension throughout the narrative. As Christine uncovers fragments of her past, she becomes increasingly paranoid and unsure of who to trust. The film effectively conveys her confusion and fear, keeping the audience on edge and engaged in her journey.

It also features unexpected plot twists and revelations that add layers of complexity to the story. These twists keep you guessing and heighten the suspense right until the credits roll.

That said, it's not perfect and despite the decent premise doesn't manage to completely avoid thriller clichés as the terrifying truths emerge as Christine learns more about her life.

But overall, it's still a decent thriller and one that you should definitely put on your ‘watch next' list.

Is Before I Go to Sleep Scary?

Before I Go to Sleep is more of a psychological thriller rather than a horror film. While it does contain elements of suspense, tension, and mystery, it may not be considered “scary” in the traditional sense.

The film focuses on psychological and emotional aspects, exploring themes of memory loss, identity, and trust. It has an intricate plot and plenty of twists, as Christine Lucas tries to uncover the truth about her past.

That being said, it does contain intense moments, suspenseful sequences, and a sense of unease as the main character grapples with her memory loss and questions the people around her.

The tension builds gradually throughout the movie, keeping the audience on edge, but it does not rely on jump scares or explicit horror elements. It is more unnerving than scary.

Where To Watch Before I Go to Sleep

In most countries, the movie is available on Amazon Prime Video. For many, this is included in the subscription, but not everywhere. That means you may have to pay to rent it.

Otherwise, it is available on terrestrial tv, so in the UK you can watch it on ITVX.

Before I Go to Sleep Movie Cast

Nicole Kidman as Christine Lucas. Christine suffers from anterograde amnesia, a condition that causes her to lose her memory every time she goes to sleep.

Colin Firth as Ben Lucas, Christine's husband. Ben is supportive and caring, but as Christine's memories start to unravel, she begins to question his honesty and motives.

Mark Strong as Mike Nasch, a neuropsychologist who specialises in helping patients with memory-related conditions. He offers his assistance to Christine, aiding her in her quest to regain her memories.

Anne-Marie Duff (Bad Sisters) as Claire, Christine's friend who she reconnects with after her car accident.

Dean-Charles Chapman as Adam, Christine and Ben's son.

Jing Lusi as Nurse Kate

Rosie MacPherson as Emily

Ben Crompton as warehouse caretaker

Adam Levy as Ben Lucas