Phil Roberts 
Led by the stellar performance of Vicky McClure and the noteworthy directorial style of Börkur Sigthorsson, Insomnia is a winner.
The British crime drama is enjoying a renaissance right now. What was once restricted to the major free-to-air channels is now filtering down to the streamers. Based on the novel by Sarah Pinborough, Insomnia becomes the next series fresh off the assembly line. Described as a supernatural thriller, the series stars Vicky McClure, a staple of UK television. The actress has always been attracted to the darker material of the genre, and with Insomnia, she has unearthed another rare gem.
The story follows a mother who is approaching her 40th birthday and inadvertently begins to suffer from insomnia. As the clock ticks down to her big day, she is troubled by a string of mental health issues that plagued her mother and left her family in ruins. Is the affliction hereditary? More importantly, can she uncover the source of her sudden decline in health before it’s too late?
REVIEW
Thankfully, dear readers, Insomnia is another jewel in Paramount+‘s crown. The series is a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat thriller that will have you riveted for five weeks straight. Led by the stellar performance of Vicky McClure and the noteworthy directorial style of Börkur Sigthorsson, the show is a winner. Although the climax may leave you cold, the series is a glorious slice of British television.
Sigthorsson sets the series as a gritty drama from the start, but as the premiere episodes progress, the story becomes darker and more twisted. The series’ tone darkens at every turn, reflecting the descent into darkness. The show is mainly filled with gloomy, washed-out colors that emphasize the material, but warm, earthy tones are used when Emma (McClure) interacts with her family. This contrast is striking and sets the tone for the unsettling tale that is about to unfold.
A TRAGIC PAST
After witnessing the psychological torture her mother inflicts upon her and her sister, Sigthorsson gets down to business establishing the major plot points that will carry the series forward. Upon reaching her 40th birthday, Emma’s mother exhibited some strange behavior. This sudden change in character was manifested by her mother reciting a series of codes and doing some bizarre things in the dead of night. The most shocking was attempting to smother Emma’s sister, Phoebe, with a pillow. The flashbacks culminate by revealing that their mother has been committed to psychiatric care, leaving Emma and her sister to enter the foster care system.
Even though the sisters were separated from that point on, they maintained their relationship, although fractured. Emma has become a successful lawyer with a loving husband and two beautiful children. Phoebe, her free-spirited sister, on the other hand, has struggled to find a direction after their childhood trauma. However, the sisters are brought back together when their mother has an accident.
A DESCENT INTO MADNESS?
After visiting her mother in hospital, Emma’s world is turned upside down. The same affliction that plagued her mother for many years now afflicts her. She cannot sleep, frequently sleepwalks, runs a bath, lights candles, plays music, and rattles the handle on her back doors. This happens every single night. Even more alarming, Emma is faced with a terrifying situation when she finds herself hovering over her young son with a pillow. Fearing that she may follow in her mother’s footsteps, Emma sets out to uncover the cause of her mother’s sudden decline into madness, hoping to prevent the same fate from befalling her.
After that, Sigthorsson completely changes the story and complicates things for every character. Emma’s life falls apart to the extent that she risks losing everything. Phoebe, seeing similarities between Emma and their mother, intervenes to support the family and strengthen their bond, which is at risk of falling apart. Emma’s son becomes withdrawn, fearing the dark silhouette that wanders the house at night, while her teenage daughter’s behavior causes friction within the family.
HIGHLIGHTS
Further elaborating on the unfolding events would be a major disservice to you. This is a series you need to unravel every delightful layer at a time. The series takes an ordinary family into the depths of despair, testing the strength of their relationships. It raises some grave questions about mental health. It highlights the terrifying prospect of being unable to trust your actions. The concept is genuinely frightening. The idea of not being able to trust yourself while you sleep is chilling, and the subject matter will resonate with every audience member. The genuine stresses of everyday family life are intensified by the affliction affecting Emma.
To his credit, director Börkur Sigthorsson brings Sarah Pinborough’s novel to life in true style. The filmmaker imbues the series with a genuine sense of dread and foreboding sustained throughout all six episodes. Several significant twists and turns will keep the audience guessing, and the ever-deepening mystery will have viewers gripping the edge of their seats throughout
THE CAST
Insomnia’s true strength lies in its stellar cast. Leanne Best delivers a phenomenal performance as Emma’s sister, Phoebe. Unfortunately, she spends most of her time propping up the plot and using her childhood torment as a reference point. Tom Cullen’s wonderfully weighted performance as Emma’s husband, Robert, is unfortunately diminished by his limited screen time. India Fowler excels as the stereotypical rebellious teenager Chloe, delivering some of the series’ most jaw-dropping moments. However, the true standout of the show is Vicky McClure.
VICKY McCLURE
McClure consistently excels at taking on complex, dark roles that highlight her talents, and she continues this trend in Insomnia. She fully embodies Emma’s character in this series, delivering a compelling and heartbreaking performance. McClure skillfully portrays her character’s inner pain and turmoil, creating a believable and engaging story arc. Where she goes next remains to be seen. I can’t wait to see her next project after this groundbreaking performance.
VERDICT
Overall, “Insomnia” is a compelling and suspenseful thriller that will captivate you for hours. Börkur Sigthorsson masterfully brings Sarah Pinborough’s engaging novel to life with a palpable sense of foreboding. The series is packed to the brim with twists and turns and successfully drags us into the depths of despair as Emma slips slowly into madness. The series has a few flaws in the plot, and some subplots don’t entirely break free from the tried and tested formula. However, overall, it’s still worth watching. The tension builds successfully across five thrilling episodes, but unfortunately, the series finale fails to deliver on its promise and doesn’t quite live up to its potential.
Flaws notwithstanding, but the series is a triumph. It will keep you engaged for five thrilling weeks and have you guessing until the very end. With the brilliant directorial style of Börkur Sigthorsson and an excellent performance from Vicky McClure, Insomnia represents the quintessential British crime drama at its very best. So, dim the lights, get the popcorn ready, and prepare for an unnerving night of twists and turns.
Don’t lose sleep over it, though!
The two-episode season premiere of Insomnia is streaming exclusively on Paramount+ now. New episodes will premiere every Thursday.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
