As the Village Sleeps

Sarah plans a birthday weekend at the family home and brings together a loose crew of friends and relatives. The get together starts as a casual reunion, then the evening shifts when a strange card game appears to carry its own rules and consequences. As the cards are laid, rumors and past grievances start to creep into the present, turning old jokes into sharp accusations and fragile alliances into dangerous wagers. The house seems to listen, and every draw nudges the group closer to conflict, blurring the line between game master and player. Without revealing twists, the mood leans toward claustrophobic suspense and uneasy teamwork under pressure.

Directed by Terry Spears from a script by Chloë Bellande, this 2021 horror feature marks a compact indie project built around a deadly card game and a tense house setting.

Box office data for this release is not publicly disclosed, reflecting its small scale and likely limited theatrical footprint. It appears to have circulated mainly through digital channels and festival circuits.

There's no record of major nominations or wins for this title. In the indie horror landscape, it joins many small budget projects that fly under the radar of large awards, focusing more on mood and performances than prestige.

Critical responses have been mixed, with viewers noting the film's tight, claustrophobic mood and the way the living game tests loyalty under pressure. The story leans into themes of trust, blame, and survival, using the house as a pressure chamber that amplifies old wounds and hidden motives. Performances from the ensemble feel grounded and stressful rather than flashy, letting suspense grow from psychological pulls and small, whispered reactions rather than loud scares. The ending leaves space for interpretation, inviting conversations about fate and choice in situations where every move could be the last tonight.