Sleeper

Sleeper

Year: 1973

Runtime: 89 min

Language: english

Budget: $2M

Sci-FiComedy

In a dystopian future, health-food store owner Miles Monroe is accidentally cryogenically frozen during a routine medical procedure. Awakening two centuries later, he's rescued by rebels battling a repressive government. Thrust into a bizarre and unfamiliar world, Monroe’s outdated knowledge and reactions lead to comedic mishaps as he becomes an unlikely hero in the fight for liberation.

Sleeper (1973) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Sleeper (1973) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a world where neon‑lit billboards glare over cracked sidewalks and the air hums with the soft whir of unseen drones, society is tightly steered by a faceless, authoritarian regime. The streets are populated by citizens who move in synchronized rhythm, their lives dictated by a relentless schedule of surveillance and propaganda. Amid this rigid order, the occasional flash of absurdity—colorful graffiti, inexplicable street performances, and quirky underground cafés—betrays a lingering undercurrent of rebellion and whimsy.

The story awakens Miles Monroe, a well‑meaning health‑food store owner whose life in the 1970s ends abruptly with a routine medical procedure that mistakenly sends him into cryogenic sleep. Two centuries later he stumbles into this strange future, rescued by a band of idealistic insurgents who see his anachronistic habits and off‑beat humor as both a curiosity and a potential spark for change. His bewilderment at the omnipresent technology, the loss of simple pleasures like a freshly cut steak, and his instinctive, old‑school manners create a cascade of comedic misunderstandings that highlight the stark contrast between his 20th‑century sensibilities and the hyper‑controlled world he now inhabits.

As Miles navigates this bewildering landscape, he forms an unlikely partnership with Luna Schlosser, an eccentric artist whose irreverent outlook mirrors the absurdity of the environment. Their interactions blend sharp wit, romantic tension, and a shared sense of alienation, offering a glimpse of humanity amid the mechanized rigidity. Together, they become the heart of a subtle, far‑crazier resistance—where laughter and love become quiet acts of defiance against a system that seeks to erase individuality. The film balances satirical humor with a wistful yearning for freedom, inviting viewers to wonder how a man out of time might reshape a world on the brink of losing its soul.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:16

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Whimsical Sci-Fi Satires like Sleeper

Bizarre future worlds where absurdity and social commentary create playful chaos.If you enjoyed the absurdist humor and social commentary of Sleeper, you'll love these movies. This thread gathers films that use science fiction as a playground for satire, offering a lighthearted and witty take on dystopian futures and futuristic societies. Discover other playful sci-fi comedies with a similar irreverent and thought-provoking vibe.

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Narrative Summary

These stories often follow an ordinary or out-of-place character navigating a bizarre, exaggerated version of the future. The plot serves as a vehicle for a series of comedic set-pieces and satirical jabs at contemporary issues, with the narrative conflict typically being more farcical than genuinely threatening. The character's journey is one of bewildered adaptation and humorous rebellion.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared tone of whimsical satire, using sci-fi tropes for comedy rather than thrills. The pacing is often fast, filled with visual gags and witty dialogue, and the emotional weight remains light, ensuring the primary goal is entertainment and clever social observation.

Slapstick Fish-Out-of-Water Movies like Sleeper

Characters flung into unfamiliar worlds where their clumsiness becomes comedic heroism.For viewers who loved watching Miles Monroe's clumsy antics in the future in Sleeper, this thread finds similar stories. These films focus on characters who are comically out of place, using their disorientation for slapstick humor and lighthearted adventure. Find more movies where a bumbling hero from another time causes chaotic and hilarious situations.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a stark contrast between the protagonist's innate nature and their new environment, creating constant friction that manifests as physical comedy. The plot is a series of escalating mishaps and chases, where the hero's very unsuitability for the situation somehow leads to success. The journey is less about profound change and more about surviving through comedic resilience.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific comedic engine: the fish-out-of-water trope executed through slapstick and fast-paced visual gags. The pacing is brisk, the tone is playful, and the stakes are kept manageable so the humor remains the focus. They offer a specific kind of lighthearted adventure built on physical comedy and cultural dissonance.

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Sleeper Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Sleeper, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Sleeper Summary

Sleeper Timeline

Track the full timeline of Sleeper with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Sleeper Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Sleeper

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Sleeper. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Sleeper

More About Sleeper

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Discover movies like Sleeper that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.