Sleepless

Sleepless

Year: 2001

Runtime: 117 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Dario Argento

MysteryThrillerHorrorHorror

Described as creepier than Jack the Ripper, the film follows an elderly, retired police detective who partners with a young amateur sleuth. Together they hunt a serial killer who has shockingly resumed a killing spree in Turin, Italy after a 17‑year hiatus, confronting dark secrets and relentless terror.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Sleepless 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!

Timeline – Sleepless (2001)

Trace every key event in Sleepless (2001) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Angela's disturbing night and the blue scrapbook

The film opens with Angela after a troubling encounter. She knocks over a chest of bladed weapons and flees in fear, then reads a blue scrapbook that links to Turin's serial killer known as 'The Dwarf Killer.' This discovery sets off a chilling game of cat and mouse.

opening scene Angela's apartment
2

The killer's threatening phone call

An unseen killer calls Angela and threatens her life, heightening the sense of danger. The voice is intimate and chilling, hinting at a personal connection to the murders. Angela feels the pressure tighten around her.

early scene Angela's home
3

Amanda is sent to retrieve the scrapbook

Angela, unable to meet Amanda at the station, asks her friend to fetch the scrapbook. The request moves the object deeper into the investigators' world and deepens the mystery surrounding the case. The station becomes a key convergence point for the two women.

shortly after the threats the station
4

The train chase and Angela's murder

The killer boards the train and pursues Angela, cutting off her finger as she tries to escape. Cornered, she is slashed to death, ending the threat to reveal the killer's identity. The attack demonstrates the killer's escalating brutality.

onboard on the train
5

Amanda finds the scrapbook, then is slain

Amanda boards the train to rescue Angela's memory, but the killer corners her in her car and stabs her to death. She manages to recover the blue scrapbook before the attack. The murder leaves the book in the killer's possession.

immediately after Angela's death Amanda's car
6

Moretti and Giacomo revisit the 1983 case

Detective Moretti, now retired, collaborates with Giacomo to untangle the early murders. They revisit the so-called Dwarf Murders, tracing a pattern across Turin and recognizing a suspect, Vincenzo de Fabritiis, who died before conviction. The threads connect the old case to present-day killings.

present day Moretti's office
7

Mel's murder at the nightclub fountain

The killer murders Mel by dragging her into an indoor fountain during a struggle, drowning her. He also cuts her fingernails to remove scratches from the attack. The murder marks a brutal escalation of the spree.

present day Nightclub
8

Beppe's blackmail and murder

Beppe uncovers information about the killer and tries to blackmail him into meeting. The killer murders Beppe, ensuring there is no intimidation left. The pursuit grows more dangerous as more people are drawn into the mystery.

present day Beppe's location
9

Leone's questioning and death

Giacomo interrogates Leone, a friend of de Fabritiis who shares the dwarf trait, and Leone is killed by gunfire. The investigation widens as suspects feel the squeeze of the continuing murders. The killer's MO begins to reveal a broader pattern.

present day Leone's apartment
10

Dora's brutal murder

Dora is pushed into her building and repeatedly slammed into a wall, knocking out her teeth. The killing adds to the pattern of escalating brutality and horror. Moretti and Giacomo search for connections among the victims.

present day Dora's building
11

The Crazy Farmer rhyme points to Mara's fate

Moretti analyzes the nursery rhyme 'The Crazy Farmer' to explain the killer's MO. He deduces that the killer is driven by animal noises from the rhyme and predicts the next victim will be Mara at a ballet. They arrive too late as Mara is beheaded.

present day The ballet theatre
12

Laura and Moretti fall to the silhouette

Laura collapses after seeing a silhouette she mistakes for Vincent, dying from the fall. Moretti suffers a fatal heart attack triggered by the same silhouette. The murders escalate to a near-psychological terror that the killer's presence is everywhere.

present day Laura's home
13

Betti's father shoots Giacomo and then himself

Betti's father appears, shoots Giacomo in the shoulder, then apologizes to Lorenzo and shoots himself in the head. This shocking maneuver unsettles everyone and hints at deeper family involvement. The moment begins to reveal Lorenzo's central role in the murders.

present day Betti's apartment
14

Final confrontation and police raid

Giacomo confronts Lorenzo, who pulls a knife and taunts him as Gloria watches. An active detective shoots Betti's shoulder, then fatally shoots Betti's father, and the police raid the apartment. Gloria and Giacomo contemplate the end of the terror as the killings finally stop.

final confrontation Lorenzo's apartment

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:17

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Explore Movie Threads

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.

Relentless Serial Killer Hunts like in Sleepless

Fast-paced thrillers where investigators race to stop a vicious, prolific murderer.Movies like Sleepless that feature a fast-paced, high-intensity pursuit of a brutal serial killer. These thrillers and horror films share a dark tone, graphic violence, and a tense atmosphere as detectives or survivors race against time to end a murderous spree.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a cat-and-mouse structure: a killer begins a violent rampage, and protagonists—often detectives, survivors, or amateur sleuths—must piece together clues to identify and stop them. The narrative is driven by a succession of murders, creating relentless pressure and forcing characters to confront their own trauma or dark secrets from the past.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core experience of high-tension, violent crime-solving. They are united by a fast pace, dark and gritty tone, heavy emotional weight from the brutal subject matter, and a focus on the psychological impact of hunting a remorseless killer.

Bittersweet Resolutions to Dark Pasts like in Sleepless

Stories where confronting a historical evil brings closure at a heavy cost.If you liked Sleepless, explore more movies where characters confront a traumatic past event. These mystery and thriller films often end on a bittersweet note, achieving closure for a historical crime but at a significant personal cost, leaving a somber and emotionally heavy feeling.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a long-dormant mystery resurfacing, compelling protagonists—who are often directly connected to the original trauma—to investigate. Their pursuit uncovers dark secrets and forces a final, costly confrontation with the truth. The story concludes with the evil being stopped, but the victory is hollowed by the deaths and psychological scars incurred along the way.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their focus on the psychological toll of unresolved trauma and the bittersweet nature of achieving justice. They share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and an ending feel that is more somber and contemplative than celebratory, emphasizing the lasting impact of violence.

Unlock the Full Story of Sleepless

Don't stop at just watching — explore Sleepless in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Sleepless is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Sleepless Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Sleepless, 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.

Sleepless Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Sleepless

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Sleepless

Sleepless Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Sleepless that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Sleepless Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Sleepless

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More About Sleepless

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