-->
Year: 2012
Runtime: 102 min
Language: English
Director: Jaume Balagueró
As the dark hours tick away, Gary's grip on reality begins to slip, plunging him into a desperate search for answers. But as his panic mounts, his partner Meg tries to anchor him to sanity, sparking a tense and unsettling struggle between reason and madness.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Sleep Tight yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
A concierge named Cesar, working in a Barcelona apartment building, finds himself on the roof, musing about his inability to attain happiness despite the seemingly good things in his life. He wakes up in the apartment of Clara, a woman he is fixated on, and begins his day in the lobby. Throughout his routine, he covertly entangles himself with other tenants, including Ursula, who is the daughter of another resident. In a questionable transaction, Ursula receives hush money from Cesar for reasons that unfold later.
Cesar makes a poignant visit to his ailing mother in the hospital, where their communication is stifled by her poor health. His interactions spark a deeper reflection as he discusses Clara with her. Another tenant, Veronica, asks for a favor regarding her dogs, giving Cesar specific instructions on their care. However, in a fleeting moment of rebellion, Cesar disregards Veronica’s meticulous directions, feeding one of the dogs, Rocio, a piece of pie instead.
Throughout this unraveling narrative, Clara engages with many personal letters, carelessly tossing them aside. Meanwhile, Cesar’s obsession grows sinister; he hides beneath her bed, planning to use chloroform on her to further meddle with her products and provoke discontent. The next morning, as he slithers out of her apartment, Ursula confronts him, demanding more from their unsteady agreement.
As chaos ensues in the building due to Cesar’s negligence—leading to dead plants and a hapless cleaner’s son suffering consequences—he continues his duplicitous efforts against Clara. With multiple schemes leading to an infestation of insects in Clara’s apartment, her health and peace of mind deteriorate. Despite a short reprieve from her rashes, she discover more than she bargained for upon returning home: an overwhelming infestation that compels her to temporarily stay with her mother.
When the police start an investigation into the harassment Clara faces, Cesar cleverly casts blame away from himself, framing the cleaner’s son. As Clara’s life in turmoil advances, Cesar cleverly concocts further schemes, manipulating situations to remain undetected, albeit with increasing risk.
Things take a darker turn when Marcos, Clara’s boyfriend, enters the picture, searching for clues to the disturbances plaguing Clara. Despite Cesar’s deceptive skills, he becomes ensnared in his own trap after a harrowing encounter with Marcos ultimately results in tragic violence. The severity of his actions culminates in a chilling threat to Ursula, cementing Cesar’s downward spiral into sinister behavior.
In the aftermath, Clara moves on and has a baby, leaving Cesar to reflect on his failures. He pens a letter to her, entreating her to think of him whenever she gazes at their child, calling it a strange form of happiness for himself. Cesar’s journey is steeped in twisted obsession and dark consequences, showing how the quest for happiness can lead to the destruction of others.
Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04
Sleep Tight (2012) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Sleep Tight (2012) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like Sleep Tight – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Insomnia (2002) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The Night (2021) Complete Plot Breakdown
Close Your Eyes (2004) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Slumber (2017) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Dark Hours (2005) Film Overview & Timeline
Sleepwalkers (1992) Detailed Story Recap
Darkness Falls (2003) Movie Recap & Themes
Dead Awake (2010) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Night Clerk (2020) Ending Explained & Film Insights
In My Sleep (2010) Story Summary & Characters
The Perfect Sleep (2009) Story Summary & Characters
Dead Awake (2017) Full Summary & Key Details
Don't Sleep (2017) Full Summary & Key Details
Night Shift (2024) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Mister Sleep (2024) Film Overview & Timeline