He Sees You When You’re Sleeping is a 2024 slasher horror film about a serial killer who dresses as Santa Claus.
Caroline Williams (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2) has joined the cast of He Sees You When You’re Sleeping, a Christmas slasher slated to be released by The Horror Collective on VOD platforms on November 1, 2024.
A young man’s Christmas homecoming turns into a nightmare as a killer in a Santa suit gruesomely picks off his estranged, wealthy family for their fortune.
Directed by Charlie Steeds (Gods of the Deep; Freeze; The Haunting of the Tower of London; Werewolf Castle; Death Ranch; A Werewolf in England; Vampire Virus; An English Haunting; The Barge People; Winterskin; Escape from Cannibal Farm), who produced with Tom Malloy under his Trick Candle Productions banner. Malloy plays a role in the movie and has produced horror films such as #Screamers, The Attic, and The Alphabet Killer. Executive Produced by Shaked Berenson, who is known for instant cult films such as Slaxx, Big Ass Spider!, Tales of Halloween and Turbo Kid.
Williams is joined by Nicholas Vince, mostly known for his role in Hellraiser as well as David Lenik (An English Haunting), Peyton Michelle Edwards (Goodbye Honey) alongside horror veterans Lauren Marie-Taylor (Friday the 13th Part 2).
Director-producer Charlie Steeds commented: “I knew David Lenik’s campy Christmas-themed slasher would be a blast to direct. It’s set in the ’80s and we filmed on location in New York State. The script draws inspiration from horror classics such as Black Christmas, Scream and Silent Night Deadly Night which are all films I adore.
“Christmas horror films blend holiday cheer with thrilling chills, offering a fresh and exciting twist on traditional celebrations. They’re perfect for those looking to spice up their holiday viewing; commented Shaked Berenson, CEO of The Horror Collective’s partner company, Entertainment Squad.”
Producer and actor Tom Malloy commented: “I loved the title and loved the script and was excited to work with filmmaker Charlie Steeds, whose work I’ve known for years.
Plot:
Christmas Eve, 1980. Chester Van Buren returns to his decaying family mansion, after having witnessed the brutal murder of his parents at the hands of an escaped mental patient, dressed in a Santa costume, seventeen years prior. He is now back to face his past trauma and spend the holidays with his dysfunctional and over-privileged relatives.
Unfortunately, it’s not long before Santa is up to his old tricks again, as a serial killer dressed as a demented Saint Nick begins to dispatch family members one by one. Has the killer returned to finish what he started or is the truth something far more terrifying, as Chester grapples with his sanity…
Reviews:
“A few bodies are mangled and some suspense is promised, but He Sees You When You’re Sleeping mostly resembles a filmed community theater production, watching a large cast attempt to participate in uneventful writing, while director Charlie Steeds can’t do much with a limited budget. This isn’t a picture that’s determined to frighten its audience.” ★★ Blu-ray.com
“Steeds is perhaps a better creator of mood than sharp characterisation, hence his reliance on things being rather bitchy and over the top. […] A mix of US talent (Williams as the mouthy Marion is probably the best thing in this) mixes with a smattering of UK cast members including Lenik and Nicholas Vince as his psychiatrist, making the project feel US authentic. Steeds as ever makes a great DoP and if the pacing sometimes slows a little, there’s a cracking axe-wielding final reel in true slasher style.” Dark Eyes of London
” …a perfectly serviceable slasher with a modicum of blood that takes you through the expected paces of any other perfectly serviceable slasher. It is unfortunately marred by an unlikeable protagonist and some questionable acting – and there will be obvious and unfavourable comparisons to Violent Night.” Ginger Nuts of Horror
” …by-the-numbers stuff that plays out as both stilted and awkward. The film’s pacing is near static and lifeless and whilst some performances are fine, unfortunately, others are less so. Steeds’ movie gets swallowed up with the family’s attempt to inherit the estate and forgets to scare, thrill or chill in the process.” 2/10 My Bloody Reviews
“The plot was simple yet I did like all the gaslighting aspects of it, especially with the bad members of the family barely able to stop fighting amongst themselves. The eventual revelation of what had been going on was fun and silly […] while this obviously had some budget constraints it was a movie that was fun to sit through. I might not have been too keen on the central protagonist, but this moved a long at a speedy pace with its one-hour twenty-minute runtime flying past.” 7/10 The Rotting Zombie
“Williams proves to be the most enjoyable part of the film. She delivers the kind of campy performance one would have expected from late-career Bette Davis or Joan Crawford,… In the end, though, it’s not nearly enough to rescue He Sees You When You’re Sleeping from a script that doesn’t know what it wants to be and the disappointing way it all plays out.” ★★ Voices from the Balcony
YouTube reviews:
Trailer:
For profiles of more Charlie Steeds movies and more info please visit page 2
