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Drama

State Like Sleep (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

State Like Sleep (2019) movie poster

State Like Sleep is a 2019 drama directed by Meredith Danluck, starring Michael Shannon as Edward, Mary Kay Place and Luke Evans. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $4,282 worldwide. Critics gave it 38% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10.

IMDb rating
4.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
38%
worldwide gross
$4.3K
Echo Score
47
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State Like Sleep (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Meredith Danluck
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is State Like Sleep About?

The premise of State Like Sleep without spoilers.

A woman grapples with profound grief following the unexpected death of her husband. As the first anniversary of his passing approaches, a sudden phone call disrupts her mourning and compels her to return to Brussels. There, she must face the painful memories and unresolved issues that continue to affect her, confronting a past that refuses to remain buried.

State Like Sleep Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • neo noir
  • death of husband
  • suicide of husband
  • husband wife relationship
  • suicide
  • brussels belgium
  • hospital
  • brain tumor
  • mother daughter relationship
  • mother in law daughter in law relationship
  • shorthaired woman
  • movie star
+38 more
  • death of movie star
  • flashback
  • snorting cocaine
  • nightclub
  • snorting heroin
  • finding a dead body
  • induced coma
  • mother daughter talk
  • hotel room
  • hotel bar
  • dying in a hospital
  • loss of son
  • whiskey drinking
  • talking in bed after sex
  • talking in bed
  • locker room
  • gym locker
  • bag of money
  • upskirt
  • sleeping in a chair
  • priest
  • loss of mother
  • american
  • english
  • gymnasium
  • coma
  • woman asks for sex
  • woman snorts cocaine
  • woman wears a black bra
  • whiskey
  • woman wears leather jacket
  • death of son
  • death of mother
  • mother in law daughter in law antipathy
  • reference to the vietnam war
  • reference to the korean war
  • female photographer
  • reference to le figaro the newspaper
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Cast & crew

State Like Sleep Cast & Characters

Michael Shannon leads the cast as Edward, with Mary Kay Place as Elaine and Luke Evans as Emile. Directed by Meredith Danluck; 14 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

State Like Sleep Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave State Like Sleep 38% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 47/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

47 /100

State Like Sleep Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, State Like Sleep presents a mixture of compelling style and uneven narrative closure. While its dreamlike atmosphere and focused performances draw attention, critics frequently note lapses in plot coherence and an underdeveloped resolution. The film’s pacing divides opinion, with some praising its contemplative rhythm and others calling it sluggish. Visual and emotional elements hold interest, but the central mystery fails to deliver sufficient engagement. In sum, the film remains a stylistically intriguing but narratively flawed effort.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels in creating a dreamlike visual palette through measured cinematography and thoughtful production design. The direction often captures an unsettling atmosphere, though sequences occasionally lack narrative momentum. Editing choices reinforce a dream–nightmare tension but sometimes contribute to a diffuse tonal quality. Overall, the visual execution is intriguing yet uneven.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, the lead performance anchors the film with nuanced portrayal of grief and disorientation. Emotional resonance emerges in intimate moments, and chemistry within key relationships offers occasional depth. However, secondary characters remain underdeveloped, and the protagonist’s inner journey sometimes feels obscured by narrative uncertainty. Overall, performances largely sustain viewer engagement.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds with intermittent originality but struggles with coherence and pacing. Plot developments often feel disjointed, and the central mystery lacks sufficient resolution to satisfy. While thematic exploration of grief presents thoughtful moments, the overall engagement falters amid narrative loose ends and uneven momentum. As a result, the storytelling remains fragmented.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    When considering sensory experience, the film delivers a consistent auditory and visual tone that reinforces its dreamlike intent. The score and sound design underscore moments of tension, and the color palette establishes an atmospheric cohesion. At times, however, sensory shifts do not fully align with narrative beats, creating an occasional sense of detachment. Overall, the film maintains a distinct aesthetic identity.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    In terms of rewatch factor, State Like Sleep offers limited replay value due to its unresolved narrative and deliberate pacing. While atmospheric moments and strong central performance may invite a second viewing, the film’s diffuse story structure and uneven engagement reduce its lasting appeal. As a result, viewers are unlikely to discover significant new insights on subsequent viewings.

Box office

State Like Sleep Box Office

State Like Sleep grossed $4,282 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.3K

US & Canada
$4.3K
Videos

State Like Sleep Trailers & Videos

The trailer of State Like Sleep.

Official Trailer

Seen State Like Sleep?

FAQ

State Like Sleep FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of State Like Sleep, each answered in a sentence.

How long is State Like Sleep?

State Like Sleep runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was State Like Sleep released?

State Like Sleep was released on January 4, 2019.

Who directed State Like Sleep?

State Like Sleep was directed by Meredith Danluck.

Who is in the cast of State Like Sleep?

State Like Sleep stars Michael Shannon as Edward, Mary Kay Place as Elaine and Luke Evans as Emile, among 14 credited actors.

How much did State Like Sleep make at the box office?

State Like Sleep grossed $4,282 worldwide.

How is State Like Sleep rated?

State Like Sleep has 4.4/10 on IMDb, 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, 48 on Metacritic and 48% on TMDB.

Does State Like Sleep have a post-credit scene?

No. State Like Sleep has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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