Light Sleeper

John LeTour is a former drug dealer who battles insomnia as he tries to leave the life behind. He still moves in the city's high-end circles, selling to a select clientele while keeping a low profile. His midlife crisis deepens when an old flame appears and rekindles a dangerous pull between past and present. A wave of so-called drug related killings sweeps through Manhattan, tightening the net around him. The sleepless nights blur boundaries between business and desire, forcing John to confront the consequences of a life lived in the margins. Schrader builds a tense, urban mood where desire, guilt, and risk collide in the shadows of the city. The film probes a tense moral ground as neon nights press.

Directed by Paul Schrader, Light Sleeper arrived in the early 1990s as an original screenplay. The film stars Willem Dafoe as John LeTour and Susan Sarandon as Ann, with a budget around 5 million. It showcases Schrader's precise craft.

Critics noted the film for its cool, methodical mood and its focus on sleeplessness, addiction, and moral compromise in a city pulsing with crime. Dafoe's restrained performance and Schrader's forensic, urban tone anchor the drama. The film invites reflection on addiction and responsibility, set against a city that never sleeps.

The film did not earn major nominations or wins from the Oscars, Emmys or Globes. It remains a lesser known entry in Schrader's filmography, though it has its share of devoted fans. The film's reception among critics remains tepid, with little overall lasting impact.

While not a blockbuster, Light Sleeper contributes to early 90s crime drama with a humane look at addiction and restless urban life. Dafoe and Sarandon give the film a quiet, lasting resonance for viewers who savor mood over mayhem. Its restrained pace rewards patient viewers and rewards repeat viewing experiences.