Are you ready to face your darkest fears?
Ayala Malls Cinemas is exclusively bringing to Philippine theaters another Asian horror film this coming month. Following last year’s zombie-themed Operation Undead, comes the Thai horror-thriller Don’t Sleep. The film stars Atiwat Saengtien (Pee Nak comedy-horror movie series) and Pantipa Arunwattanachai (Oh My Ghost: The Finale) as they go on a bone-chilling journey into their past with elements of Thai folklore sprinkled throughout the story. Watch the trailer below.
Don’t Sleep is an R-16 supernatural horror-thriller set against the backdrop of modern-day Thailand, blending ancient Thai folklore with contemporary themes of guilt, grief, and redemption. The film follows a group of friends who inadvertently awaken dark spirits while playing with a mystical version of a Ouija board, called Pee Tuey Gaew, which plunges them into a harrowing battle for survival. The film explores deep psychological struggles and the haunting effects of unresolved trauma, using supernatural elements as metaphors for the inner demons the characters face.
To create an eerie, unsettling atmosphere with a dark and almost dreamlike quality, “We shot the film with low-key lighting to keep much of the danger hidden in the shadows, allowing the audience’s imagination to fill in the gaps,” says director Krittanut Watcharanuntagul. “Each location is designed to feel claustrophobic, as though the walls are closing in on the characters. I wanted to create a sense of isolation and entrapment – whether the characters are in a cramped bar or navigating the ghostly spirit world, they can’t escape their fate.”
Photo courtesy by Viva International Pictures / Ayala Malls Cinemas
Pee Tuey Gaew used to communicate with the dead | Photo courtesy by Viva International Pictures / Ayala Malls Cinemas
Photo courtesy by Viva International Pictures / Ayala Malls Cinemas
For the spirit world scenes, the creative crew used slightly distorted lenses, practical effects, and camera trickery. The decision not to rely heavily on CGI made the ghosts feel more tactile and haunting.
Horror fans expecting the uniquely Thai horror experience will not be disappointed. Don’t Sleep began as a collaborative effort between co-writers and directors Sathanapong Limwongthong and Watcharanuntagul, whose shared love for traditional Thai folklore and modern horror influenced the script. Inspired by local ghost stories and spiritual beliefs, they aimed to craft a narrative that was both uniquely Thai and universally terrifying.
Filming was done over 15 days in Bangkok, which helped showcase the duality of modern and ancient Thailand. The film’s score blended traditional Thai music with modern horror motifs, using dissonant strings and percussive elements to heighten suspense during key moments.
Experience all the haunting and creepy elements the filmmakers used in Don’t Sleep by watching it with friends at Ayala Malls Cinemas, a premiere movie-watching destination for film enthusiasts, thanks to their regular exclusives that include award-winning films and movies that are not easily available elsewhere, such as Asian titles like Don’t Sleep and the ongoing A-Rewind Series, featuring Filipino classics that have been restored and best enjoyed once again on the big screen.
The movie-watching experience is also enhanced at Ayala Malls Cinemas with the features they offer, such as plush seating with generous legroom, cutting-edge laser projections that display sharper images, and top-notch Dolby Sound and Dolby Atmos technologies that enhance audio depth – perfect for watching horror movies in which sounds add to the fright factor.
Cinema patrons also get to treat themselves to delicious snacks from The Movie Snackbar, such as different-flavored popcorn, hotdog sandwiches and yummy burgers, paired with ice-cold beverages.
Catch Don’t Sleep exclusively in Ayala Malls Cinemas this June 4!