I am not the best sleeper; apparently, I peaked as an infant. I’m a lucid dreamer, which is very fun with a good dream, surreal with a  strange one, and absolutely terrifying if I’m having a nightmare. I’ll go through cycles of insomnia too, or at the very least, restless sleeping. So when I found Drew Daywalt’s 2008 short Bedfellows, I gave it a try because the concept of lying awake in the middle of the night and being completely unable to fall asleep is entirely too familiar. This one will take you under three minutes to get through, and it’s totally worth it.

I really liked this one, and for three reasons: the acting, the makeup and the writing/direction. Kerry Finlayson is completely believable as a woman that can’t get to sleep and is completely annoyed with her partner for just lying there. Likewise, Peter Giliberti’s monster was made up just right, and wears a fantastic expression that borders on playfulness in its ghoulish glee. Most importantly, I loved what they did with this one because it didn’t feel forced. Daywalt’s writing and direction lent the story a peppiness so that it didn’t give me a chance to get bored. It was well-executed with the right amount of set up, and the payoff was jumpy without feeling cheesy. Honestly, I was expecting Rachel’s hand to get bitten; I liked that it didn’t get graphic. Well-done all around.

Sweet dreams, and happy Saturday.