Girl Asleep

Greta Driscoll is about to turn fifteen, yet she clings to childhood as a shield against a world that feels overwhelming. She moves through days with her only real ally, Elliott, a misfit friend who accepts her moodiness. A surprise fifteenth party from her parents shatters Greta into another realm, a surreal corridor of rooms where the ordinary rules dissolve. In this odd world everything looks exaggerated, sometimes playful, sometimes unsettling, and always off balance. There Greta begins to confront her fears, her longing to belong, and the strange pull of growing up.

Directed by Rosemary Myers, Girl Asleep is adapted from Matthew Whittet's stage show. The film premiered in 2015, debuted at festivals, and later opened in Australian theaters, produced by Arenamedia, and showcases a distinct Australian fantasy sensibility with a modest budget of about 1.15 million.

Critics praised the film for its inventive tone, sturdy craftsmanship, and Bethany Whitmore's central performance. It blends coming of age drama with offbeat humor, dream logic, and visual humor to explore loneliness, the ache of belonging, and the pull of imagination when real life feels overwhelming.

The film stands out for a stage to screen adaptation that preserves a theatre's energetic vibe. Its production design, quirky soundtrack, and bold color choices craft a distinct mini universe that Australian genre cinema has celebrated. Greta's awkward hopefulness resonates with viewers who recall their own 15th birthdays. Girl Asleep broadens the coming of age landscape with a homegrown voice.

The film received nominations at Australian awards circuits, highlighting its design and direction and signaling a broader appreciation for offbeat fantasy in Australian cinema. The recognition helped bring attention to Rosemary Myers's inventive approach and Bethany Whitmore's standout performance, cementing Girl Asleep as a milestone in homegrown genre storytelling.