The Sleepless Unrest: The Real Conjuring Home
Film Review by Ashley Turner

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The Sleepless Unrest: The Real Conjuring Home is a paranormal investigative documentary directed by Kendall and Vera Whelpton; starring Kendall Whelpton, Vera Whelpton, Cory Heinzen, Brian Murray, Richel Stratton, John Huntington, and Jennifer Heinzen.



Synopsis: “The world-famous haunted house that inspired the Conjuring films has recently been sold and is now open to paranormal investigations. A small group of close friends is invited to move in and document a real haunted house for two weeks.”



Fans of horror, if you are expecting to see Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson appear on your screen, or finally have concrete proof of supernatural phenomena and life on the other side of the veil, this is not the movie for you. If you do, however, want to watch a group of likable people bond over scaring themselves, all while enjoying this unique investigative experience and making the viewer laugh…well, keep on reading!



The Sleepless Unrest is presented in a way that does not feel like another cliché eye-rolling over-the-top paranormal investigative show…nor a bland documentary. While the beginning starts off a bit bumpy with a stereotypical altered voice-over introduction over constantly used “story-style” fonts consistently used in horror, the film quickly breaks away from that momentary initial mental groan and finds an engaging stride. The main portion of the film opens with a fun introduction of credits and our paranormal investigators with a great driving montage that immediately helps us identify and connect to the individual personalities. They are fun and relatable people, their excitement equally infectious.



Editor and executive producer, Corey Frost, creatively intercuts cinematic style shots and editing with interviews, confessionals, b-camera, and hand-held camera footage in a way that elevates this film from a standard paranormal investigation. His editing choices steer us away from a less campy vibe that these types of films often fall victim to and lead us into a more cinematic-style documentary film.



While some of the scare moments feel a bit staged throughout the film, based on the obviously forced back smiles and post-production effects paired with “scary music” insertions; however, the investigators themselves are having so much fun as they explore this notoriously scary place, one cannot help but shake their head and grin along with them. The explanations of their investigative process and equipment used is delivered to one another, versus the commonly used version of explaining directly, and oftentimes dry, to the camera. It comes across in such a natural manner that the viewer feels like they are right there along with the investigators in this paranormal adventure.



With dialogue like, “Just put your head up there and look around,” followed quickly with an exclamation of, “Like hell I am,” you cannot help but connect to these investigators whose reactions are hilarious and feel realistic to the everyday person’s logical reaction to alarming experiences. They are so earnestly eager to believe, and at some point along the way they've grown on us so much, we want it to be real for them too!



Despite minor technical issues, which are easily dismissed, The Sleepless Unrest: The Real Conjuring Home is a fun watch to add to your list. This movie is like going to a haunt with your best friends during Halloween and watching them scare the hell out of themselves. Let go of any expectations and enjoy this experience starring a relatable cast who do not take themselves too seriously. Frights and chills this may not be, but a fun movie night you will get!