'We Never Sleep' Review: A Tense and Timely Slice of Sci-Fi Horror
- May 15
- 2 min read
By Elliot Lines - May 15, 2026
There’s a familiarity to the idea of artificial intelligence turning against humanity, but We Never Sleep manages to find fresh tension within that concept through a stripped-back, intimate approach. Rather than leaning into large-scale spectacle, the short focuses on paranoia and surveillance, creating a version of the future that feels unsettling precisely because it doesn’t seem too far removed from reality.
Set in a near future where an all-seeing AI monitors and judges human behaviour, the film follows Austin and Mikaela as they attempt to navigate a world where even the smallest action can have consequences. The premise itself is simple, but effective, using limited space and runtime to build a persistent sense of unease.
What works particularly well is the atmosphere. The film understands that fear often comes from implication rather than explanation, allowing the threat of the AI to loom over every interaction without overcomplicating the narrative. There’s a coldness to the world it presents, one where trust feels impossible and privacy has all but disappeared. The minimal cast and contained setting only strengthen that tension, helping the film maintain focus throughout its runtime.
The performances from Tyler Courtad and Mellisa Goodwin also help ground the concept emotionally. Their interactions carry enough sincerity to make the danger feel immediate, even when the script occasionally leans into familiar sci-fi territory. Some viewers may wish the film explored its wider world in greater depth, particularly as its ideas become more intriguing toward the end, but there’s also something effective about its restraint. It avoids becoming bogged down in exposition, instead prioritising mood and momentum.
In just over ten minutes, We Never Sleep delivers a smart and engaging piece of sci-fi horror that feels both contemporary and quietly unsettling. It may not reinvent the genre, but its focused storytelling and strong atmosphere make it an effective reminder of how quickly technology can shift from convenience to control.
'We Never Sleep' had its world premiere at the 2026 Cleveland International Film Festival
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