The Mystery of Sleep

Sleep researchers and historians walk through the moment REM sleep was discovered and show how that single finding widened the study of dreams, sleep disorders and brain activity. The film strings together archival footage, lab notes and interviews with scientists to explain why REM mattered, how it changed techniques for studying sleep, and what new questions appeared afterward. It keeps the focus on science and history, guiding viewers from early observations to modern methods without revealing any controversies or outcomes beyond the initial breakthroughs.

Directed by Mel Stuart and released in 2010, the documentary relies on interviews and archival material rather than being adapted from a single book or source, aiming to present the scientific story in accessible terms.

The film did not generate headline box office figures, and there are no widely reported worldwide gross numbers. It appears to have reached audiences mainly through festivals, educational screenings and specialized programming rather than a broad theatrical rollout.

Though not a mainstream hit, the film helped translate technical sleep research into everyday language, making REM and its implications easier to discuss among nonexperts. Educators and sleep-curious viewers could use it as an entry point into topics like dream research, insomnia and the science behind rapid eye movement.

Critical reaction has been modest, reflected in a small number of ratings and an average near the middle of the scale, 6.0 out of 10. Reviewers tended to note the clear presentation of historical experiments and the focus on scientific method, while some wished for deeper coverage of later developments. The documentary centers on how a laboratory observation reshaped questions about consciousness, memory and disorder, and it emphasizes interviews and primary sources over sensationalism.