Sleep

In the final moments of Sleep, the film leaves us with a mysterious ambiguity about what truly happened. Hyun-su, who had been suffering from sleepwalking episodes, appears to have convincingly staged a possession by the spirit of their neighbor, Park Choon-ki, in order to help Soo-jin find peace. Throughout the climax, Hyun-su acts as if the spirit has left his body, with Soo-jin witnessing the event as if a portal opened and the spirit exited, making it seem like a genuine supernatural occurrence. However, the film deliberately keeps this ending open to interpretation. Some viewers might believe that Hyun-su was genuinely possessed, with the spirit leaving him through the door, while others might interpret his performance as a carefully crafted act—one that was meant to reassure Soo-jin and bring her back from her spiraling mental state.

This ambiguity underscores the film’s core themes: the fragile boundary between reality and illusion, the power of belief, and the lengths to which people will go to protect and stabilize their loved ones. By choosing to conclude with this unresolved question, Sleep invites us to reflect on whether the supernatural elements are real or just a manifestation of the characters’ fears and desperation. Ultimately, Hyun-su’s final act can be seen as a compassionate gesture—either an actual spiritual exorcism or a convincing performance—designed to help Soo-jin find her footing again in a turbulent world.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:02